Oil of Wight
Oil Active Ingredients
Read about the active ingredients in our products
Oil of Wight

Oil Active Ingredients

This page acts as a cheat sheet to understand the therapeutic effects of the active ingredients found in our oils and additives.
Click on the links below to jump to the right section:

Fatty Acids

These are the main components of all oils; and the types and concentrations found in each is what gives it the properties it has.

Fatty acids are long chains of carbon with an OH and O on one of the ends (COOH). Stearic Acid, for instance, has 18 carbons in it's chain and hence is labelled C18. It's carbons are all joined with a single bond; such fatty acids being called saturated.

Some fatty acids contain carbon double bonds in the chain, making them unsaturated with hydrogen. These are labelled with a number that states the number of double bonds and the number in the chain where the double bond exists. For instance, Oleic acid is C18:1 n-9 which means that it has 18 carbons in it's chain, with one double bond (:1) which is on the 9th (n-9) carbon from the end the in the chain.

Oleic Acid (Omega 9)

C18:1 n-9
  • Maintains the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair
  • Stimulates growth of thicker, longer, and stronger hair
  • Reduce the appearance of ageing, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines
  • Helps eliminate dandruff and thereby support hair growth
  • Boosts immunity
  • Exhibits antioxidant properties
  • Helps relieves joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain

Alpha Linoleic Acid (Omega 3)

C18:3 n-3
  • Moisturises hair and promote its growth
  • Facilitates wound healing
  • Functions as an emulsifier
  • Exhibits anti-inflammatory properties
  • Soothes acne and reduces chances of future outbreaks
  • Promotes moisture retention in skin and hair

Gamma Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)

C18:3 n-6
  • Plays an important role in rejuvenating thinning, dry, brittle skin & hair.
  • Removes toxins from the body
  • Calms hyperactive inflammatory response.

Arachidonic Acid

20:4 n-6,
  • Plays an important part in the normal inflammatory process

Palmitic Acid

C16:0
  • Functions as a surfactant & an emulsifier
  • Functions as an emollient
  • Part of the skin’s lipid barrier

Palmitoleic Acid

C16:1
  • Has emollient properties
  • Softens hair

Stearic Acid

C18:0
  • Cleansing properties that purge dirt, sweat, and excess sebum from hair and skin
  • Functions as an emulsifier
  • Conditions and protects hair from damage
  • Softens skin

Lignoceric Acid

C24:0
  • A byproduct of lignin production
  • Helps protect skin from environmental elements
  • Has emollient properties
  • The component of the kerasin cerebroside

Myristic Acid

C14:1
  • Functions as a surfactant & an emulsifier
  • Functions as a cleansing agent

Margaric Acid

C17:0
  • No References

Gadoleic Acid

C20:1 n-9
  • Similar to human sebum
  • High absorption factor

Behenic Acid

C22:0
  • Functions as a lubricant & emollient
  • Has soothing properties

Other Ingredients

There are quite a few other chemicals which are useful in skin care which we have detailed below.

Co-Enzyme Q10

  • A component of the electron transport chain
  • Participates in aerobic cellular respiration
  • Protects and repair the skin
  • Rejuvenates the appearance of skin by stimulating skin cell activity that eliminates skin toxins

Squalene

  • Exhibits antioxidant properties that protect the body against the appearance of ageing
  • Chemically similar to human sebum
  • Regulate the production of sebum
  • Soften and protect the skin
  • Has moisturising properties

Ferulic Acid

  • Demonstrates antioxidant behaviour
  • Helps protect skin from environmental elements
  • Assists in skin regeneration
  • Increases the stability and the effectiveness of vitamins C and E

Retinoid

  • Another name for Vitamin A
  • Increases cell turnover
  • Stimulates collagen and elastin production
  • Can cause redness, dryness and skin flaking