CO2 EXTRACTS AND THEIR USES
Recently CO2 extracts have appeared on our stock ????
Article written for you by
Martina Oboňová
Please do not hesitate to write to us at marketing@handymade.sk with any observations and suggestions.
What are CO2 extracts?
You may be confused by the fact that there is a pomegranate CO2 extract, but also pomegranate oil when it comes to CO2 extracts. Or rosemary CO2 extract, but also rosemary flower water or essential oil. Calendula CO2 extract, but also calendula macerate.
So which one do you use in your products?
The answer is simple - each of the above raw materials can be extracted from a plant or fruit, but by different methods. At the same time, however, each plant or fruit is only suitable for a particular extraction due to its specific consistency, composition and substance content.
???? CO2 extracts are obtained by high-pressure carbon dioxide extraction, which produces one of the purest essences on the market because the extraction process does not exceed 50 ̊C, orthis preserves heat-sensitive substances and is also free of undesirable substances such as residual solvents, inorganic salts or heavy metals, as they are not soluble in CO2. Similarly, substances sensitive to oxidation remain intact. This results in an extract that has a significantly higher concentration of active substances, with a longer lifetime and a significantly lower rate of use. Finally, the extraction process is cleaner and therefore more environmentally friendly. As they are thicker and of a paste-like consistency, they are suitable for use in nourishing skin or hair care products. It should also be noted that their scent and colour are more pronounced than those of essential oils.
???? Essential oils, on the other hand, are most often obtained by steam distillation, which produces volatile aromatic liquids and almost all of them can be used in aromatherapy, inhalation, sauna or bath. You will also appreciate their effects in body and hair care products. There are around 700 species of plants from which essential oils can be 'extracted'.
???? Interestingly, essential oils are actually a by-product of the production of hydrolates and floral waters. The waters therefore contain all the substances that are contained in essential oils, only in much smaller proportions, and therefore they are notyou can use them to a greater extent, whether in tonics, cleansing and make-up removing waters, baths, compresses, but also in creams and masks.
???? Macerate, as we recently mentioned, is obtained by infusing the plant in oil. This process extracts the nutrients from the plant into the oil. You can read more on our blog in the article How to make your own macerate?
Macerates are also widely used in cosmetic products, as you use the nutritive substances of the macerated plant in combination with the substances contained in the oil. You can use them in skin care products, soaps to hair products.
???? And finally, the oils, which are obtained either by mechanical extraction or chemical extraction using a solvent from the fruit or seeds. Their degree of "nutritional value" depends on the method of processing, for example whether the oil remains unrefinedor has undergone a refining and deodorisation process (total or partial odour/odor removal). An important component of the oils is the different proportions of fatty acids and vitamins contained in the extracted fruits, and their effects can be used in creams, soaps and hair care.
So, when deciding which raw material to use, it is up to you what strength or effect you want to use from the plant.
But let's go back to CO2 extracts. In layman's terms, it's the purest thing you can get out of a plant.
Due to their high concentration and potency, their utilization rate is much lower than essential oils.
So how can you use a given CO2 extract?
There are some specifics to keep in mind when using extracts:
???? The general rate of use in your product is 1-2% (even when combining two or more extracts, the percentages should be followed as they are actually very effective).
???? It should also be noted that CO2 extracts leave a colour trace. When using essential oils, it is very rare that your product becomes coloured.
???? They are easily dissolved in the product at temperatures up to 40 ̊C.
for this reason, your extract may harden in winter. For handling, it is sufficient to dip the extract bottle in hot water for a while. The extract itself should not be devalued by such heating.
???? You can use them in both water and oil based products, but not in pure water products as CO2 extracts are always with oil added.
Have you tried any?
We offer the following:
➡️ pomegranate
➡️ chilli
➡️ hops
➡️ coffee
➡️ turmeric
➡️ rosemary
➡️ schizandra
How to use CO2 extracts?
Since they are thick to pasty, very concentrated with a distinct smell, colour and especially effect, they are really only used in tenths of a percent ????
What products can you use them in?
Due to their consistency, we definitely do not recommend them for spray products as they also contain solid particles.
However, they are an excellent choice for body and bath oils, creams, lotions, ointments, lotions, balms, massage oils, soaps, or blends of carrier oils and fragile oils.
Just choose what effect you want to give your product.
???? Coffee is excellent for aging skin due to its antioxidant effects (it stimulates microcirculation) and besides the already mentionedit is also great in shampoos and other hair products because it circulates the hair bulb. If you love the smell of freshly ground coffee, don't hesitate to add coffee extract to your products. It is obtained from freshly roasted ground coffee beans, so its aroma is authentic and you will not be able to resist it ;-)
???? CURCUM, known more from cuisine than from cosmetics, but because of its strong antibacterial effects, it quickly found its application in cosmetics. It is excellent in massage mixtures for sore and tired body, which warms up and clears clogged pores, but also for sore joints from overexertion. Here, however, we draw attention to the strong colouring effects of the extract.
???? CHILLI - another kitchen aid that has made a breakthrough in the world of cosmetics ???? Like turmeric, it has also found its way into massage blends for its powerful antibacterial effects. Here we strongly recommend to keep the ratio, because the pungent effect has the same effect as in the kitchen. But in the right proportions, it is unrivalled in helping sore muscles, which it thoroughly congests and overheats. It has also proved useful for migraines and back pain.
???? CHINESE SCHIZANDRA has soothing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is suitable for sensitive skin, even children's skin, among other things. Moreover, it has a pleasant sweet scent with woody notes, so you can use it in natural perfumes or just to scent your products ;-)
???? Although hops is a strongly scented plant, the extract has undergone a deodorization process, so you don't have to worry about its fragrant effects ;-) Because of its strong anticancer and antimicrobial properties, it is also suitable for deodorizing products - not only soaps, but also deo bars and shower gels.
???? GRANATO APPLE besides its pleasant scent helps to regenerate skin cells, gives the skin a youthful and fresh look. You can also use it in hair cosmetics, it is ideal for dry, sparse hair.
???? To add antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits to your products, simply choose our ANTIMICROBIAL MIX, which combines the effects of oregano, clove, ajwan, hops, turmeric, liquorice and sage.
???? ROSEMARY EXTRACT
Rosemary extract comes from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis. It is a pure antioxidant ingredient that retains the typical light rosemary scent, but its use should not affect the final fragrance of your product.
Rosemary and its healing properties have been known since the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a tincture, then obtained by distilling rosemary in brandy, it was used by the Queen of Hungary and had its own name - Hungary Water.
The queen used it daily to treat gout and restlessness in her legs. This gave rosemary the nickname 'herb of vitality'.
Today, rosemary extract is mainly used for its antioxidant properties to protect the body and skin from free radical damage and, thanks to its antibacterial (broad spectrum of activity against 28 bacteria) and anti-inflammatory properties, it is an additive that enhances and preserves the freshness of carrier oils and the essential oils they contain. At the same time, it prevents their oxidation, which degrades them and causes yellowing. It also has anti-aging properties and stimulating and neuroprotective properties (stimulates blood circulation, excellent for improving memory).
The antioxidant of rosemary has natural and multifunctional antioxidant properties that are even greater than those of mixed tocopherols (i.e.i.e. a group of chemical compounds that largely exhibit the beneficial activities of vitamin E). It reduces skin inflammation and can soothe acne, eczema and psoriasis. It protects cells not only against oxidation and inflammation, but also against pathogens.
The heat stability of rosemary extract is also excellent - it can stabilize and completely dissolve in mostit remains stable even at temperatures higher than 200°C.
In addition to stabilizing carrier and essential oils, it can also preserve the shelf life of finished natural products by retarding the oxidation of fatty oils. It also serves as a preservative by retarding the growth of microorganisms.
It is also important to recall certain physical properties when specifically applied to products:
- in oil and water products, the extract can be used directly
- if the extract is to be used in a powdered product, it must be mixed with a carrier oil
- care must also be taken as to the pH of the product, as pH higher than 8,5 does not give effective results
The use of CO2 rosemary extract is very wide. You can add it to soaps, creams, lotions, massage gels, bathand body oils, emulsions, blends of carrier oils and fragile oils, lip balms and scrubs.
In conclusion, our CO2 extracts are so-called total extracts, which are the highest quality option and are also processed in high quality organic oils.
Article written for you by
Martina Oboňová
Please do not hesitate to write to us at marketing@handymade.sk with any observations and suggestions.
