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Madurasherbals
Palm oil
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Product Description:
Palm Oil is a carrier oil obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), one of the most widely produced vegetable oils globally. The oil is yellow to golden brown in colour with a mild, characteristic nutty scent and a smooth, semi-solid texture at room temperature that melts when warmed. Palm Oil has long been valued in soap making and cosmetic manufacturing for its texture-building and emollient properties. At Maduras Herbals, we are mindful of the sustainability concerns associated with palm oil production and source our supply with this in mind. We supply Palm Oil as a raw material for cosmetic manufacturers, soap makers, and DIY formulators looking for a versatile, texture-enhancing carrier oil.
Botanical and Trade Names
Botanical Name: Elaeis guineensis
English Name: Palm Oil
INCI Name: Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Other Common Names: African Palm Oil, Golden Palm Oil
Key Properties
- Extracted from the fruit pulp of the oil palm with minimal processing
- Semi-solid texture at room temperature, melting into a smooth liquid when warmed
- Naturally rich in fatty acids, carotenoids, and Vitamin E
- Mild, characteristic nutty scent and a yellow to golden brown colour
- Valued in soap making for its hardness and stable lather contribution
- May be comedogenic for some skin types, so formulators should consider usage percentage carefully
- Compatible with other carrier oils, butters, and oil-phase ingredients
About Palm Oil
Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of Elaeis guineensis, the oil palm tree, which originates from West Africa but is today most extensively cultivated in Indonesia and Malaysia, which together account for the vast majority of global palm oil production. Minor plantations also exist in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in India. Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world across both food and cosmetic industries, valued for its high saturated fat content, excellent stability, and solid to semi-solid texture at room temperature.
Palm oil is rich in palmitic acid, typically making up 40 to 48% of its fatty acid composition, alongside oleic acid at around 36 to 44%, with smaller amounts of linoleic and stearic acid. Its high palmitic and stearic acid content gives it good oxidation stability and a semi-solid consistency at room temperature with a melting point of around 35°C. In cosmetics it functions as a rich emollient and thickening agent, contributing body and texture to balms, butters, and anhydrous products. It is also widely used in soap making, where it contributes hardness and a stable, creamy lather. Refined palm oil has a near-neutral colour and scent, while unrefined red palm oil retains its vivid orange-red colour from a high beta-carotene and lycopene content.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Elaeis Guineensis Oil |
| Sourced From | West Africa in origin; major commercial production in Indonesia and Malaysia; minor cultivation in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India |
| Processed & Packed | Processed & Packed in India |
| Function | Emollient, skin conditioning, viscosity modifier, soap making base |
| Absorption Rate | Typically slow to medium; may feel heavier than lighter carrier oils due to its semi-solid nature and high saturated fat content |
| Recommended Usage Amount | Typically up to 100% in anhydrous products; commonly used at 10 to 30% in blended formulations |
| Melting Point | Typically around 35°C; will be solid in cooler conditions and liquid in warmer environments |
| Heat Stability | Generally very good due to high saturated fatty acid content; one of the more heat stable carrier oils |
| Colour | Refined palm oil is typically pale yellow to white; unrefined red palm oil is vivid orange-red due to beta-carotene content; colour varies significantly between grades |
| Scent | Refined version is nearly odourless; unrefined version has a mild characteristic scent |
| Oxidation Stability | Generally very good; one of the more stable carrier oils due to its high saturated fatty acid content |
| Restrictions | None; sustainability sourcing (RSPO certified) is worth considering given environmental concerns around palm oil production |
| Substitution | Shea butter or mango butter can partially substitute in anhydrous formulations; coconut oil in soap making |
Working with Palm Oil in Your Formulations
Palm oil works particularly well in anhydrous products such as balms, butters, and body bars, and is a standard base oil in cold and hot process soap making where it contributes hardness and a stable creamy lather. In emulsions it adds richness and body to heavier creams. Its melting point of around 35°C means it will be solid at room temperature in cooler climates and liquid in warmer ones, which is worth factoring into packaging and product design decisions.
Quality & Formulation Notes
No adverse effects or cosmetic formulation restrictions are documented for palm oil. The sustainability question is the most significant consideration when sourcing it — palm oil production has well-documented environmental impact in Indonesia and Malaysia, so RSPO certified or mass balance certified palm oil is worth specifying if sustainability credentials matter for the brand. Refined and unrefined grades behave very differently in terms of colour and scent, so confirming the grade at the sourcing stage is important for formulation planning.
Applications
Soap Making: Cold and hot process soap making as a hardening and lathering oil
Skin Care Formulations: Body butters, balms, and creams as a texture-enhancing oil-phase ingredient, used in moderate percentages
Cosmetic Formulation: Lotion and cream formulations, candle and industrial cosmetic base applications
General Use: Bulk supply for cosmetic manufacturers and soap makers
Packing and Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in active use. The oil is semi-solid at room temperature and will liquefy when gently warmed, which does not affect its quality. Best before 12 months from packaging date.
Caution
Patch test is recommended before use on skin. May be comedogenic for some skin types. In case of any allergic reaction or irritation, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist or physician.
Disclaimer
All information on this website is for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical, professional, legal, or technical advice.
Intended Use
Our products are raw materials and ingredients supplied for cosmetic formulation, personal care, manufacturing, aromatherapy, candlemaking, soap making, food and beverage, confectionery, research, and related industries. Suitability for any specific application is the buyer's responsibility.
Natural & Batch Variation
Natural variations in colour, aroma, texture, viscosity, and potency may occur between batches, as this is characteristic of natural and plant-derived ingredients and does not indicate a quality defect.
For formulated and processed products, including chemicals, waxes, bases, butters, and extracts, variations in performance or specification may also occur between batches.
For colouring agents and food colours, variations in shade, intensity, particle size, dispersion, and thickness may occur between batches due to sourcing or processing differences. For flavor oils, variations in colour, taste profile, and aromatic strength may occur between batches.
Equipment & Kits
Equipment, accessories, moulds, containers, and kits are utility and starter-level items with no performance warranty. Product images, kit contents, and item brands or models may vary based on stock availability.
Safety & Internal Use
Essential oils, aroma compounds, flavor oils, concentrated extracts, and chemicals must be handled responsibly and diluted appropriately. Products intended for internal use, including herbal powders, Ayurvedic botanicals, and food-grade ingredients, should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare, Ayurvedic, or food safety practitioner.
Testing, Samples & Lab Reports
Customers are responsible for testing suitability within their own formulation and intended application before placing bulk orders. Samples are at your own cost, and free samples may be available subject to stock and product type. Sample size and quantity are at our discretion, and shipping charges apply. Laboratory test reports can be arranged on request at an additional cost.
Representative Documents: COA & MSDS
The COA and MSDS linked on product pages are representative documents shared for reference purposes only and may not reflect the exact batch supplied for your order.
Batch-specific documents can be requested before or at the time of purchase. It is the customer's responsibility to verify that specifications meet their intended use before purchasing in bulk.
B2B Terms
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