What it is
Buriti oil is pressed from the fruit of the buriti (moriche) palm and is notably high in carotenoids, which give it a characteristic orange-red color, along with oleic acid and other fatty acids. As an emollient it softens and conditions the skin and can add a nourishing, smoothing feel to a formula. In sunscreens it is generally used at low levels as a skin-conditioning oil.
Safety & warnings
Buriti oil is generally well tolerated as an emollient. Like other fatty plant oils high in oleic acid, it is a richer oil that those very prone to clogged pores or breakouts may wish to use cautiously in leave-on products. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen, and its natural pigments can lend a slight tint to formulas.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; cold-pressed or extracted from the fruit pulp of the buriti palm (Mauritia flexuosa), native to South America.
Questions everyone asks
What is buriti oil?
It is a carotenoid-rich orange oil pressed from the fruit of the South American buriti palm, used as an emollient and conditioning oil.
Why is buriti oil orange?
Its color comes from a high content of carotenoids naturally present in the buriti fruit pulp.