Naturex prioritises 'positive value chains' as it moves into botanical oils

Despite being well-established with the likes of cranberry and apricot oils, the ingredient supplier has made a move to push beyond its current boundaries of innovation with a ‘NAT oleis’ range which is comprised of 13 botanical oils sourced from the likes of the Amazon, Brazil and Africa.

It includes Buriti oil, Sacha Inchi, Ungurahui, and Chia oil as well as the more commonly known Baobab and Argan oils, some which have been used for centuries to protect or repair the skin and others being more beneficial for the hair. 

With sourcing this new range comes new responsibility and with the likes of Buriti oil, Naturex says it is committed to preserving these traditional ancient ecosystems by participating in reforestation efforts for this ‘tree of life’.

According to its ‘Medicine Hunter’ Chris Kilham, who ventures into the world’s wild vegetation zones to source botanicals for Naturex, these oils form an integral part of beauty rituals by women in these areas and are backed by the highest guarantees in terms of quality, sourcing, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

“It is fundamental to respect the environment and the communities where the materials are sourced and to create ‘positive value chains’ where we work,​” he tells this publication.

Responsibility to give back​

Personal care business unit director Stéphanie Puel also informs Cosmetics Design that the company strives to work closely with local growers, implement strict control processes and careful documentation to ensure high traceability of crops.

“We also have developed strong partnerships in order to preserve and encourage biodiversity and guarantee fair wages to local populations through their own organizations," ​she adds.

Naturex also plans to donate 1% of the sales generated by this range back to the communities where they are sourced which should for instance, help to buy new presses in isolated villages in Africa or replant trees in the Amazon rainforest.

From soil to oil: full traceability​

The oils are all said to have undergone a strict and rigorous cold-press process for extracting the oil from the kernel or the fruit, an eco-friendly method that does not involve the use of organic solvents and preserves the actives.

In order to preserve their properties and improve the shelf life of the most sensitive ones, Naturex has also developed a set of natural antioxidant solutions which they say provide at least twice as much protection from oxidation.

“In​ the instance of Tsubaki oil, this proprietary process shows exceptional results,  whose resistance to oxidation is multiplied by 29​,” R&D experts told this publication.