Neem Oil, Cold Pressed, Organic, 5 l

Neem oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the Azadirachta indica tree and is added to cosmetics primarily for its antimicrobial and soothing effect. It does not serve as a carrier oil in formulations. It is used as an active ingredient in the oil phase in smaller proportions, most commonly in products for problem and acne-prone skin, in scalp care for dandruff and itching, in nail and cuticle oils, and in soaps.

The oil is unrefined, certified to organic quality and suitable for vegan formulations. It originates from India. The scent is distinct, earthy to spicy, and should be taken into account when designing a formulation.

Key benefits

• Antimicrobial action – the oil contains natural bitter compounds, the most well-known of which is azadirachtin. According to the manufacturer, they help inhibit the growth of bacteria that contribute to the formation of blemishes and breakouts. This is why the oil is used in products for oily and acne-prone skin and in scalp treatments.
• Soothing irritated skin – according to the manufacturer's data, it helps reduce redness and the feeling of irritation. It is used in foot balms, after-sun products, and in hand creams exposed to frequent washing.
• Scalp care – in hair oils and masks, it helps with dry, itchy scalp and a tendency to dandruff. The manufacturer also states a conditioning effect on dry and damaged hair.
• Nails and cuticles – the oil absorbs well and in nail oil serums supports cuticle flexibility and cares for the area around the nails.
• Antioxidant protection – the unsaponifiable fraction of the oil contains natural antioxidants that help protect the skin from oxidative stress.

Use in formulation

Neem oil belongs to the oil phase. It is insoluble in water, mixes with vegetable oils, waxes and butters, and also dissolves in alcohol and glycols. It is added to emulsions together with the other oils before emulsification. In anhydrous products such as balms, massage and hair oils, or nail serums, it is simply blended into the base.

The recommended dosage is 1 – 10 %. In leave-on face products, it is generally kept at the lower end, where the scent is still acceptable and the effect is maintained. Higher doses make sense in rinse-off products, foot balms, scalp treatments, and soaps, where the rest of the formulation partially masks the scent.

The processing temperature should not exceed 80 °C. When making hot-process emulsions, add the oil only after the oil phase has been heated, just before emulsification, to minimise heat exposure. For cold-process methods, no adjustments are needed.

Due to its higher content of palmitic and stearic acid, the oil is thicker in winter than common liquid oils, but this does not affect absorption. It leaves a rather dry feel on the skin without a noticeable greasy film, which makes it suitable for products for oily skin.

In cold-process soaps, it forms a minor part of the oil blend. It saponifies well and in composition resembles oils with a higher content of saturated acids. We recommend verifying the behaviour at trace and the colour of the finished soap on a small test batch.

Suitable for products such as

• Oil serums and spot treatments for acne-prone and problem skin
• Hair oils, treatments and masks for the scalp for dandruff and itching
• Serums and balms for nails and cuticles
• Foot balms and creams, hand creams
• After-sun products and soothing body balms
• Cold-process soaps as an active ingredient in the oil blend
• Lip products at low concentrations, where the scent does not interfere

Good to know

The colour of the oil is green to brown. At higher dosages it tints light emulsions and balms to a slightly greenish or beige hue; in darker formulations or at lower percentages this is not visible. As the oil is unrefined, batches may vary slightly in colour, consistency, and scent intensity.

Due to its content of unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic), we recommend adding an antioxidant to formulations containing neem oil, such as vitamin E, and protecting finished products from light. The oil itself does not replace a preservative. In emulsions and all products with an aqueous phase, a preservative is still required.

Frequently asked questions