Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil

What Is It?

Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, also called Brazil nut oil, is the oil obtained from edible Brazil nuts. Brazil nut oil may be used in skin and hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

When used in cosmetics and personal care products, Bertholletia Excelsea Seed Oil functions as a skin-conditioning agent – emollient.

Scientific Facts

Bertholletia excelsa, is a tree native to South America that produces edible nuts. The oil produced from Brazil nuts consists of about 43% linoleic acid, 30% oleic acid, 14% palmitic acid and 12% stearic acid.

Safety Information

The safety of Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that this ingredient was safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Botanical and botanically derived ingredients used in the formulation of cosmetics are generally mild and safe. Prior to marketing the finished cosmetic product, the safety of each ingredient must be substantiated in accordance with 21 CFR 740.10. Safety substantiation of cosmetic ingredients may include tests for ocular and skin irritation as well as allergenicity, phototoxicity, photoallergenicity and mutagenicity, depending on the application or intended use. There is a considerable body of information about the safety of botanical ingredients and a well-established history of use. These resources are consulted to ensure the safety of these materials as they are used in cosmetics.

CIR Safety Review:

Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil was included in the CIR Expert Panel’s review of plant-derived fatty acids oils. Based on a history of safe use in food, the composition of the oils, and data indicating these ingredients were not dermal irritants or sensitizers, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that plant-derived fatty acid oils including Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil were safe as used in cosmetic products.

Some people are allergic to tree nuts including Brazil nuts. Therefore, the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that all food containing Brazil nuts be clearly labeled.

Information about the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidance…

More information about botanical ingredients.

Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

More Scientific Information

In naming plants, botanists use a Latin name made up of the genus and species of the plant. For example, under this system the plant, the Brazil nut tree is known as Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl. where ” Humb. & Bonpl. ” stands for the names of the people, who first described the type of plant specimen. Plants are also known by a common name that has been handed down through generations. These common names may vary from country to country. Therefore, Latin names, which are more likely to be recognized in many countries, are frequently used on the label of a product to identify an ingredient made from plants.

Resources

Cross Reference for Common Names and Latin names for Botanical ingredient: http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/botanicals-cross-reference-latin-bino…

Find out more about the history of using plants to obtain beneficial materials:

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/