oli glossary: ingredients & terms
Welcome to our glossary, your go-to resource for understanding the ingredients, terms and processes behind our natural personal care products. At our core, we believe that pure, simple, and effective ingredients are the key to healthy skin and overall well-being. Whether you are curious of the benefits of plant-based oils, clays and natural waxes or you want to learn more about eco-friendly practices, this glossary provides clear and concise definitions to help you make informed choices for your personal care routine.
Source: Natural
Description: Babassu Oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil pressed from the seeds of the Attalea speciosa palm tree.
Origin: Native to Brazil and other regions in South America.
Function: Moisturiser and emollient. Helps soften skin, reduce transepidermal water loss, and is commonly used as an alternative to coconut oil due to its similar fatty acid profile and faster absorption.
Source: Naturally derived (processed ingredient from natural sources)
Description: A stable, lightweight ester made by combining caprylic and capric fatty acids (from coconut or palm kernel oil) with glycerin.
Origin: Derived from coconut oil or palm kernel oil through esterification.
Function: Emollient and skin-conditioning agent. Enhances product texture and spreadability, provides a silky feel, and improves shelf stability of oil-based products.
Source: Natural (produced synthetically via fermentation for commercial use)
Description: Citric acid is a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits, especially lemon and limes. Industrially, it’s commonly produced by fermenting sugars with a mold called Aspergiilus niger.
Origin: Naturally present in fruits; commercially obtained via fermentation of glucose or molasses.
Function:
- pH adjuster: Balances acidity in formulations.
- Chelating agents: Binds metal ions, improving product stability and shelf life.
- Preservative enhancer: Helps support preservatives by lowering pH.
- Also provides mild exfoliation in skincare at low concentrations
Source: Natural
Description: A hard, brittle butter obtained from the seeds of the kokum tree (Gardenia indica), known for its high stearic acid content.
Origin: Native to India, especially the Western Ghats region.
Function: Rich emollient used to moisturise and protect skin. Ideal for formulations requiring a firm texture with non-greasy absorption. Often used in balms and body butters.
Source: Natural
Description: A semi-solid butter extracted from the kernel of the mango fruit (Mangifera indica).
Origin: Indigenous to South Asia, particularly India and Myanmar; now cultivated in many tropical regions.
Function: Emollient and skin softener. Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, it helps improve skin elasticity and hydration without being greasy.
Source: Synthetic (but derived from natural components)
Description: Polysorbate 80 is a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier made by reacting sorbitol (a sugar alcohol from corn and fruits) with ethylene oxide, and then esterifying with oleic acid (from vegetable oils).
Origin: Lab-synthesized using plant derived and petroleum-based inputs.
Function:
- Emulsifier: Helps blend oil and water in formulations.
- Solubilizer: Allows essential oils or fragrance oils to dissolve into water-based products.
- Dispersing Agent: Helps distribute oils, pigments, or actives easily.
- Common in bath oils, sprays, cleansers, and emulsified scrubs.
Source: Natural
Description: Sucrose is a naturally occurring disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. Commonly known as table sugar, it is a crystalline carbohydrate with a sweet taste.
Origin: Typically derived from sugarcane or sugar beets through mechanical extraction and refining processes.
Function:
- In cosmetics and personal care, sucrose acts as a natural exfoliants, humectant, and emulsifier stabiliser.
- In scrubs, it provides gentle exfoliation.
- In emulsions, it can help adjust texture and moisture retention.
- It also has mild preservative-boosting properties dues to its ability to reduce water activity when used in high concentrations (e.g.in sugar scrubs).
Source: Natural
Description: A non-comedogenic vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annus).
Origin: Native to North America; widely cultivated worldwide.
Function: Emollient and skin barrier protector. Rich in linoleum acid, and it helps maintain skin hydration, soothe inflammation, and support skin barrier function.
Source: Naturally derived (most cosmetic-grade tocopherol is from natural sources like soy or sunflower)
Description: A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes and oils from oxidative damage.
Origin: Extracted from vegetable oils especially soybean, sunflower, or wheat germ oil.
Function: Antioxidant. Helps extend the shelf life of oils and butters in formulations and supports skin health by protecting against free radicals.
