Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Camellia oleifera seed oil is a fatty oil extracted from the seeds of the oil-seed camellia, or tea oil camellia.

Out of all the camellia species, this one holds the greatest oil content in its seeds. The tea seed oil is sweetish in taste and used as a cooking oil in China and Japan, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It has a similar composition to olive oil and is used in the same way.

The majority of the oil is made up of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), followed by linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid). It also contains vitamin E in the form of α-tocopherol, as well as phytosterols. It has emollient and occlusive properties and is a very good oil to use in skincare or soap making. It may be used as a base oil or mixed with others.

This oil should not be confused with tea tree oil, a volatile essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia.