Olive Acid

What Is It?

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil is the oil obtained from the ripe fruit of Olea europaea. Addition of hydrogen to olive oil results in Hydrogenated Olive Oil. Olive Acid is a mixture of fatty acids obtained from olive oil, and Potassium Olivate and Sodium Olivate are salts of olive oil fatty acids. Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil and the other olive oil-derived ingredients are used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types, including bath products, bath soaps and detergents, cleansing products, depilatories, makeup, hair conditioners, shampoos, skin care products, shaving products, personal cleanliness products, and suntan products.

Why Is It Used?

The following functions have been reported for Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil and the ingredients derived from olive oil. Skin conditioning agent – occlusive – Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil

  • Surfactant – cleansing agent – Olive Acid, Potassium Olivate, Sodium Olivate
  • Surfactant – emulsifying agent – Potassium Olivate, Sodium Olivate
  • Viscosity increasing agent – nonaqueous – Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Sodium Olivate

Scientific Facts

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil is the edible, fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of Olea europaea. It is commonly used as a cooking oil and is regarded as a healthy dietary oil because of its high content of monounsaturated fat.
Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil to be used in packing canned tuna. Olive oil as well as the fatty acids obtained from olive oil, and the salts of olive oil fatty acids are permitted for use ad indirect food additives. For example, they may be used as adhesives and defoaming agents. The safety of Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Olive Acid, Potassium Olivate and Sodium Olivate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe for use as ingredients 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 Review:

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Olive Acid, Potassium Olivate and Sodium Olivate were 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 Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Olive Acid, Potassium Olivate and Sodium Olivate were safe as used in cosmetic products.

In selecting plant-derived ingredients for preparation of cosmetic products, formulators rely on the extensive history of their preparation and use. Such materials have been used for a long time and, based upon this experience; extensive knowledge of their safety has been gained. In the situation of newly identified botanicals in the cosmetic industry, appropriate ocular and skin safety studies are conducted prior to release into general commerce. There are many different references that describe the isolation, use and safety of botanical preparations.

More information about botanical ingredients.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for fats and oils derived from olives, and other vegetable sources

Olive 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

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil consists predominantly of triglycerides of oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids. 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, olive is known as Olea eropaea L., where “L” stands for Linneaus, 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

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration

Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm

Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/default.htm

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm

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/