soybean oil ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions primarily as an emollient and skin-conditioning carrier oil. It helps soften the skin, reduce transepidermal water loss through an occlusive lipid film, and disperse oil-soluble ingredients.
What does soybean oil do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions primarily as an emollient and skin-conditioning carrier oil. It helps soften the skin, reduce transepidermal water loss through an occlusive lipid film, and disperse oil-soluble ingredients.
Is soybean oil clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well-tolerated and not a common restricted-list concern. Highly refined grades contain minimal protein residue, while unrefined grades may carry more botanical variability and a higher oxidation burden.
Is soybean oil sustainable?
This material is plant-derived, renewable, and readily biodegradable. Its sustainability profile depends on agricultural practices, traceability, land use, and whether the supply is certified organic or otherwise responsibly sourced.
Is soybean oil COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and can be used in COSMOS-organic products when the feedstock and processing meet certification requirements. It fits Green Chemistry well when produced with responsible cultivation, low-residue extraction, and minimal refining.
How does soybean oil work chemically?
The molecule profile is a triglyceride mixture rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, with smaller fractions of oleic, palmitic, stearic, and alpha-linolenic acids. It is typically used around 1 to 20% in emulsions and higher in anhydrous products, and its unsaturation makes antioxidant support such as tocopherol useful for rancidity control.
Last updated 2026-05-13