Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil

Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) seed oil is an emollient lipid typically used at meaningful levels (often several percent up to the oil phase) to support barrier function, and it is generally well-tolerated in leave-on products. Clinically, non-fragranced plant oils have low irritancy overall, but this oil contains unsaponifiables and residual minor components that can trigger irritation or allergy in a small subset of highly reactive/eczema-prone patients, so it is not scored as “very gentle.” In cumulative routines for compromised skin, the main risk is individual contact sensitivity or impurity/oxidation-related reactivity, supporting a cautious “gentle” score. Safety Notes: In commercial skincare, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil (sacha inchi oil) appears at very low levels (~0.05–0.5%) in emulsions/serums primarily as a label-friendly emollient or minor component of an oil blend, with 1–10% being common for moisturizers, facial oils, and barrier creams. High-strength consumer products include anhydrous facial oils, hair/scalp oils, and body oils where it can be the primary lipid phase (20–80%) or the sole ingredient (100% single-ingredient oil). No specific EU/FDA maximum concentration applies for cosmetic use; practical limits are driven by sensory/oxidative stability (often managed with antioxidants/packaging) and product format (leave-on oils vs rinse-off cleansers where levels are typically lower).