Corn Oil

Indigenous to Southern Mexico, corn grows in what is known as ears, on thick, fibrous stalks that can reach up to 15 feet in height. Each stalk will produce two ears of corn, which are made up of approximately 800 corn kernels.

Corn oil is extracted from the germ of the corn, which is most commonly known as maize. The corn kernels are pressed and refined to produce the oil; however, this can prove to be a lengthy process. Typically, corn has a really small oil concentration of between 1-4%, so it takes a whopping 34 kilograms of corn to produce 1 litre of corn oil!

The oil is recognised as an excellent source of alpha-tocopherol, which is the source of Vitamin E that is most readily absorbed by the skin. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and helps to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals.

This oil is also a rich source of linoleic acid, containing on average between 30-60%. Linoleic acid is very similar to the sebum that our skin produces, which means that it is very easily absorbed by the skin. It also promotes moisture retention in both the skin and hair, leaving them soft and supple.