Oils can be extracted in different ways and we think it matters.
Cold pressed: Raw seeds, fruits or nuts are pressed under high pressure plates. Low heat is generated. The oils are filtered during or after the pressing process to remove any remaining plant particles. The oils retain their flavor, aroma and nutritional value. Shelf stability varies on storage conditions. The left over seed cake can be repurposed as feed or composted.
Expeller pressed: Raw seeds, nuts or fruits are usually passed through a rotating type screw grinder; the husks (cake) go one way, the oil the other. Expeller pressing is usually performed at lower temps but the grinding process (friction) does create some heat. How much heat often depends on the equipment being used and the seed or nut being screwed ;) The oil is filtered using physical methods (clays, steam and micron filters can be used to lighten and deodorize the oils). Nutritional value still mostly intact. Shelf stability varies based on processing temps and storage conditions. The left over seed cake can be repurposed as feed or composted.
Refined: There is no standard definition of "refining" oil seed stock but it often requires high heat. Usually it employs enzymes and acids to de-gum the hot oil and often, petroleum based hexane or other solvents are used. In trying to squeeze out every last drop of seed oil with solvents, the seed "leftovers" are now considered toxic. They can't be used for anything and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Refinement increases yield and shelf life but also contributes to a loss of nutrients and ingredient integrity.
Our balms are made with...
Almond oil
Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil
Function: Moisturizer
Exceptionally rich in nourishing fatty acids. It moisturizes, softens, and re-conditions superbly. We loooove almonds but non-mono-culture-organic-grown almonds are becoming difficult to source and we have moved away from it's use in our balms. Our Almond Lip Balm and Almond Neroli BalmTOO still contain organic almond oil.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: EXPELLER PRESSED
Source: California/Italy/Spain
Apricot Kernal Oil
Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernal oil
Function: Moisturizer
High in vitamins A and E. Great for sensitive and mature skin.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED VIRGIN UNREFINED
Source: Kenya
Argan Oil
Argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
‘Liquid Gold" they say... Super restorative and moisturizing.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Morocco
Avocado Oil
Persea gratissima (avocado) oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Cold-pressed, thick, green, and vitamin rich (A & E). Full of essential fatty acids.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: California/Kenya
Baobab Oil
Adansonia digitata (baobab) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Cold-pressed, thick, golden yellow, and vitamin rich (C, A & E). Restorative, rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Africa
Black Cumin Seed Oil
Nigella sativa (black cumin) seed oil
Function: Skin Tonic
Reputed for its regenerative qualities. Anti-bacterial/fungal. Herbaceous, warming and strengthening for the skin.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Africa/Middle East
Borage Seed Oil
Borago officinalis (borage) seed oil
Function: Moisturizer
Delicate and light. High in gamma-linolenic acid and readily absorbed by skin.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Canada/New Zealand
Cannabis Flower Oil
Cannabis sativa (hemp) flower/leaf/stem extract
Function: Emollient
A wonderful, thick, rich, dark green oil grown and pressed here in Montana by Montana Hemp Company. Jamie is one of the few farmers growing organic hemp!
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: EXPELLER PRESSED
Source: Montana, USA
Common Question: What about CBD and THC?
Montana Hemp provides us with the testing data from each batch of organic cannabis (hemp) flower oil that is pressed for us. This data fluctuates with each growing season and batch pressing. The flower oil used for Wintermint Lip Balm provides a total cannabinoids (CBD) count for each tube with approximately 18mg. The THC content is ND (non-detectable).
Common Question: What about the FDA?
Although cannabis has been voted on by the people of the state of Montana to be legal for recreational and medicinal use, we must still formulate in accordance to FDA guidelines for cannabis containing products. “At the federal level, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334, (the 2018 Farm Bill) was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2018. Among other things, this new law changes certain federal authorities relating to the production and marketing of hemp, defined as "the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis." These changes include removing hemp from the CSA, which means that cannabis plants and derivatives that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis are no longer controlled substances under federal law."
Castor Oil
Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil
Function: Emollient
A natural emollient from India, our organic, cold pressed, castor oil makes an excellent protective barrier against harsh conditions; anti-inflammatory and very soothing.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED/PHYSICAL REFINEMENT
Source: India
Common Question: What about Hexane?
Our Castor Oil is cold-pressed. Hexane is not used to extract the oil from the seeds, therefore it is hexane free.
Common Question: What about Ricin?
Ricin is a lectin that is toxic to humans. “Ricin does not partition into the oil because it is water-soluble, therefore, castor oil does not contain ricin...(Cornell University Dept. of Ag).” Our castor oil is cold-pressed, ricin free and recognized as ‘food grade’. Cold pressed castor oil has been used internally for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medicine. Our castor oil is organic and comes from India. The waste material is properly disposed of by high temperature burning.
Chia Seed Oil
Salvia hispanica (chia) seed oil
Function: Botanical moisturizer
Exceptionally high in Omega 3’s. Highly absorbable and great for sensitive skin.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Peru
Coconut Oil
Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil
Function: Moisturizer
A fabulous moisturizer and super for soothing inflammation. We use coconut oil that has been extracted using a centrifuged method. This method gently separates fresh coconuts and allows a pure raw oil to be obtained.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: CENTRIFUGED
Source: Mexico
coconut oil can be extracted in a few ways...
Centrifuged: Fresh coconut flesh is plate pressed. Mixture is “spun” to separate oil and water. Little to no heat generated. Oil remaining is considered raw. It smells of delicious coconuts, is creamy and lighter in texture.
Cold pressed: Grated and dried coconut flesh is pressed. Temperatures can vary resulting in different tastes and smells. A more “intense” toasted type coconut flavor. Heavier in texture and best suited for cooking.
Expeller pressed: Dried coconut flesh is put through a rotating press. Most popular method of extraction for coconut oil. Generates a good amount of heat and oil must be filtered and cleaned. Does not smell like coconut oil, can sustain high cooking heat but nutritionally pretty void. MCT (fractionated coconut oil) is a solvent derived bi-product.
Powdered Coconut Oil/Fractionated Coconut Powder/Coconut MCT Powder
Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil and Acacia senegal gum
Function: Moisturizer and/or dietary fat
Organic coconut oil is sprayed and dried onto a carrier, in this case, organic acacia senegal gum. Used widely in the dietary world.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: EXPELLER and DRIED
Source: Mexico
Green Tea Seed Oil
Camellia sinensis (green tea) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Non greasy, deeply absorbed, nutrient rich and a wonderful moisturizer.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: China
Jojoba Oil
Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Arizona grown. Holds properties that are very similar to our skin's own; deeply absorbed, nutrient rich and a wonderful moisturizer.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Arizona
Kukui Nut Oil
Aleurites moluccana (kukui) nut oil
Function: Moisturizer
Thick, rich and luscious. Very emollient and moisturizing.
Organic Certificate: N/A. Extraction: COLD PRESSED/CLAY REFINED
Source: Denmark
Macadamia Nut Oil
Macadamia integrifolia (macadamia) nut oil
Function: Moisturizer
Super stable and high in monounsaturated fatty acids.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Australia
Marula Seed Oil
Sclerocarya birrea (marula) seed oil
Function: Moisturizer
South African fruit oil. Emollient, nourishing and highly absorbable.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED/VIRGIN
Source: Namibia
Meadowfoam Oil
Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Oregon grown. Highly emollient and nutrient rich with moisturizing and rejuvenating capabilities. Being a highly sustainable oil, we swapped to using it (vs almond oil) in our balms.
Organic Certificate: NO. Extraction: EXPELLER PRESSED/REFINED (non-solvent)
Source: Oregon
Moringa Seed Oil
Moringa oleifera (moringa) seed oil
Function: Moisturizer
Emollient and nourishing, gentle for sensitive skin. Vitamins A and C present.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED/VIRGIN
Source: India
Olive Oil
Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Nutrient rich fruit that has been honored for over 5000 years. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins A & E; natural squalane properties moisturize, repair and protect.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED/EXTRA VIRGIN
Source: Italy
Papaya Seed Oil
Carica papaya (papaya) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Rich in the enzyme papain and vitamin A, a skin soother.
Organic Certificate: NO (see note on ‘Organic’ below ). Extraction: COLD PRESSED/VIRGIN
Source: Turkey/Mexico
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil
Function: Emollient
Anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants and a great source of the essential fatty acid Punicic.
Organic Certificate: NO (see note on ‘Organic’ below). Extraction: REFINED (non-solvent)
Source: Turkey
Primrose Seed Oil
Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) seed oil
Function: Botanical Emollient
Delicate and light oil. Super moisturizing and high in essential fatty acids.
Organic Certificate: YES. Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: China
Raspberry Seed Oil
Rubus idaeus (raspberry) seed oil
Function: Emollient
High in tocopherols and polyphenols, absorbs in skin beautifully.
Organic Certificate: NO (see note on ‘Organic’ below). Extraction: COLD PRESSED/VIRGIN
Source: Chile
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) seed oil
Function: Emollient
High in Vitamin C to help combat dryness and aid in rejuvenation.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Sourced: Bulgaria
Sacha Inchi Seed Oil
Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) seed oil
Function: Moisturizer
Nutty, thick and earthy. High in Omega 3’s and 6’s. Super moisturizing.
Organic Certificate: YES. Extraction: COLD PRESSED/VIRGIN
Source: Peru
Safflower Seed Oil
Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil
Function: Emollient
Excellent emollient. Moisturizes superbly with a near identical fatty acid profile to almond oil. Golden in color and thus, higher in cartenoids. Sustainable, drought resistant; high oleic and grown and pressed here in Montana.
Organic Certificate: YES. Extraction: EXPELLER PRESSED/FILTERED Direct farm sourced, harvested and extracted just four hours away from us in Montana :)
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
High in carotenes lending to it’s deep orange hue. Contains the elusive Omega 7, which can assist in skin health.
Organic Certificate: YES Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: China
Sesame Oil
Sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil
Function: Skin Conditioner
Super hydrating and penetrates quickly; full of fatty acids to protect and nourish.
Organic Cert: YES. Extraction: COLD PRESSED
Source: Mexico/Texas
*Infusion:
In our Kapha Lip Balm, the sesame oil is given an herbal infusion of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum leaf powder).
In our Pitta Lip Balm, our sesame oil is given an herbal infusion of Amalaki (Emblica officinalis fruit powder).
In our Vata Lip Balm, our sesame oil is given an herbal infusion of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera root extract).
Sunflower Seed Oil
Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil
We do not use sunflower oil in our balms but our natural tocopherol preservative is made from sunflower oil. Therefore it is listed on the label as per EU cosmetic and INCI regulations.
Tamanu Oil
Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) oil
Function: Botanical skin conditionerl
Medicinal, thick, green and gorgeous. Uniquely earth-like in scent.
Organic Certificate: YES. Extraction: COLD PRESSED/VIRIGN
Source: Madagascar