Ingredient

Macadamia Seed Oil

INCI name: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Macadamia Nut Oil Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil Macadamia Ternifolia Nut Oil

What it is

A plant oil pressed from macadamia nuts, valued in skincare as a rich emollient, often used in cleansing oils and moisturizers.

How it works

Its fatty acid profile, notably palmitoleic acid also found naturally in human sebum, helps soften skin, dissolve oil-based makeup and sunscreen during cleansing, and reduce moisture loss.

What it does

Emollient Skin conditioning

Concerns to know

Well tolerated

No significant safety concern is reported for this ingredient as used in cosmetics.

Evidence at a glance

Generally well tolerated

Recognised for a well-studied benefit.

Why this rating

Well tolerated

The CIR 2017 'Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils' assessment covers Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil and found the group safe as used; despite its oleic acid content, standard comedogenicity references rate it low-to-moderate (comparable to jojoba), attributed to a palmitoleic acid profile resembling sebum, though highly acne-prone users may still wish to patch test any rich facial oil.