Cacay (Caryodendron orinocense Karst.) is a Euphorbiaceae plant that grows along the Andes base adjacent to the Amazonian lowland. Cacao oil also known as Kahai Oil is extracted from the nuts of a Colombian “Cacay”, through a special process that retains all its regenerative and antioxidant properties. It is rich in vitamins, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and retinol. It re-energizes the skin providing radiance, firmness, elasticity, and hydration. It protects and repairs the skin, adding moisturization and reducing wrinkles by 45%.
Compared to Argon oil it contains 50% more Vitamin E making it an excellent source of natural antioxidants. Because of its high content of linoleic acid (85%), it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent thus making it safe to be used on sensitive skin. The high linoleic acid also prevents the excess production of melanin, the causing agent for dark spots. With up to 85% linoleic acid content, cacay oil is the alternative to conventional skin-brightening ingredients such as kojic acid, retinol, tretinoin (trans-retinoic acid), niacinamide, arbutin, and hydroquinone.
As mentioned features, cacay oil is also a natural source of retinol and has 3 times more retinol than Rosehip Oil. Unlike traditional retinol, cacay oil is not affected by UV light thus making it a safe retinol treatment to be used during the day, unlike conventional retinol treatments. One research study presented that cacay oil presents a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (58.3%) with an emphasis on linoleic acid and a lower acidity value. All these factors are steering the cosmetic and Biotech industry to use cacay oil in their formulations as a natural substitute for retinol, vitamin E.
References:
- Physicochemical characterization, fatty acid profile, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial potential of cacay oil, coconut oil, and cacay butter. Wendell Medeiros de Azevedo etal. PLOS ONE April 28, 2020.
- Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Amazonian (Ecuador)
Caryodendron orinocense Karst. and Bactris gasipaes Kunth Seed Oils. Matteo Radice etal. Journal of Oleo Science, November 12, 2014.