Understanding Botanical Oils

Not all botanical oils are alike. Polarity describes how an oil interacts with skin's lipid layer — more polar oils tend to feel lighter and absorb faster, while less polar oils sit longer on the surface. Oxidative stability affects shelf life and freshness — oils richer in oleic acid (like camellia, jojoba) tend to be more stable than those rich in linoleic acid (like rosehip). At Aphora, we choose oils for both their sensory profile and their cosmetic role in the formulation.