What is "HYDROGENATED OLIVE OIL UNSAPONIFIABLES" and what does it do?

Role: EMOLLIENT/EMULSIFIER/TEXTURE

Family: Hydrogenated oil

Comedogenic index: 0

Non-saponifiable hydrogenated olive europaea (olive) oils form a light, gentle lipid derived from olive oil. These natural esters contain nourishing fatty acids and phytocompounds beneficial to the skin.

Improves hydration and barrier function
These olive lipids significantly improve skin hydration and barrier function, in a similar way to squalane, but four times more effectively thanks to their extended molecular compatibility with the skin. The non-saponifiable part is mainly composed of squalane, phytosterols and beneficial terpene alcohols.

Properties and effects on the skin
Their fatty acid composition mimics that of the epidermal hydrolipidic film, diffusing into the skin's upper layers to fuse with the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum. This process improves barrier function while leaving a light, non-greasy finish.

Unsaponifiables are oil components that do not saponify (turn into soap) during refining. They are useful for balancing a formulation, as emollients or moisturizing ingredients.

Oil can undergo a hydrogenation process, using hydrogen gas, a catalyst such as nickel and high pressure, to change from a liquid to a solid or semi-solid state. This process enables oils to remain solid at room temperature, as is the case with margarine.

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