An oleic triglyceride, with 22% linoleic
LaboratoryOleic acid makes up 70.70% of the fatty acids, ahead of linoleic (22.41%), palmitic (3.14%), stearic (1.4%), linolenic (0.90%) and palmitoleic (0.70%). The unsaponifiable matter reaches 0.68%2.
Apricot kernel oil
Apricot kernel oil is the fixed oil pressed from the kernels of the Prunus armeniaca stone9. It is a triglyceride rich in oleic acid, about 70% of the fatty acids, with 22% linoleic acid12. CosIng classifies it as skin conditioning and fragrance9. Dedicated clinical evidence on skin is absent from our selection.
Apricot kernel oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database9. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- PRUNUS ARMENIACA KERNEL OIL
- Other names
- Apricot kernel oilApricot oil; PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL (US INCI name)
- CAS number
- 68650-44-2 / 72869-69-3Two CAS numbers for the same CosIng entry9
- EC number
- 272-046-1
- Botanical origin
- Apricot tree (Rosaceae)Fixed oil pressed from the kernels of the stone of Prunus armeniaca L.9
- Composition
- Triglycerides, mostly oleic acidOleic 70.70%, linoleic 22.41%, palmitic 3.14%, stearic 1.4%, linolenic 0.90%, palmitoleic 0.70% (5 cultivars)2
- Tocopherols and sterols
- γ-tocopherol and β-sitosterol predominantγ-tocopherol 475.11 mg/kg of oil and β-sitosterol 273.67 mg/100 g of oil in nine Turkish varieties1
- CosIng functions
- Skin conditioning, fragrance"Skin conditioning" and "fragrance"9
- Do not confuse with
- Apricot kernel powderAnother glossary ingredient (PRUNUS ARMENIACA SHELL POWDER), a mechanical exfoliant, unrelated to the oil
- EU status
- No restriction specific to the ingredientNo annex indicated in CosIng9; Prunus armeniaca does not appear in Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 consolidated as of May 1, 2025 (Annex II only cites Prunus laurocerasus)
- Allergen to declare
- NoNot in the list of fragrance allergens of Regulation (EU) 2023/1545
- Safety (CIR)
- Report on 244 vegetable oilsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) report on 244 vegetable oils: judged safe under cosmetic conditions of use. We could not check here whether this INCI is on the list of 244 oils; to be verified in the report8
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Composition and materialChemistry
A similar composition across nine Turkish varieties
LaboratoryThe oil content of the kernels ranges from 40.23 to 53.19%. Oleic acid makes up 70.83% of the fatty acids, linoleic 21.96%, palmitic 4.92% and stearic 1.21%1.
Tocopherols: mostly γ-tocopherol
LaboratoryThe oils contain 19.6 to 40.0 mg/kg of α-tocopherol, 315.4 to 502.3 mg/kg of γ-tocopherol and 28.3 to 58.5 mg/kg of δ-tocopherol2. β-Sitosterol dominates among the sterols1.
Skin and bodySkincare, bodycare
An oleic-profile oil: the benchmark from the reviews
ReviewThe reviews link a high content of oleic acid, an irritant, to a risk for the barrier when the skin is already weakened; on unaffected skin, an oleic-rich oil does not necessarily react negatively, and frequency and duration of use matter34. These reviews did not study apricot kernel oil itself.
A single result cited, on cells and outside cosmetics
LaboratoryFor bitter apricot oil, the review reports only one study in cultured keratinocytes on cell death, oriented toward a medical condition. It is not a cosmetic result and we do not retain it as one5.
What reviews and experts saySafety, uses
Safety: a report on 244 vegetable oils
ReviewThe expert panel concludes that the 244 vegetable oils assessed are safe under cosmetic conditions of use. The review focused mostly on skin effects8.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Several of the studies cited were run or funded by industry; this is indicated in the sources.
Which products use apricot kernel oil?
Our white label catalog includes 11 formulas with apricot kernel oil: the key active in 1 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
8Body
Oil in massage and bath oils, modeling butters and balms, shower gels and intimate foams.
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Vitamin E 8Argan oil 6Coconut 4Arnica extracts 4Horse chestnut 4Apricot kernel, macadamia, sweet almond or olive oil?
Four oils dominated by oleic acid. Their linoleic acid and saturated fat content makes the difference in a formula.
| Apricot kernel oil | Macadamia oil | Sweet almond oil | Olive oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oleic acid | 70.70%2 | 61.74 to 66.47%7 | 67.2%6 | 66.4%6 |
| Linoleic acid | 22.41%2 | Not quantified in our sources | 22.8%6 | 16.4%6 |
| Saturated fatty acids | Not quantified in our sources | Not quantified in our sources | 9.3%6 | 19.4%6 |
| EU regulation | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 11 formulas | 9 formulas | 74 formulas | 13 formulas |
Frequently asked questions about apricot kernel oil
What is apricot kernel oil?
What are the benefits of apricot kernel oil in cosmetics?
Is apricot kernel oil good for hair?
We found no study on hair with this oil, and our catalog does not offer it for hair.
Is apricot kernel oil comedogenic, and is it suitable for the face?
What is the difference between apricot kernel oil and apricot kernel powder?
The oil (PRUNUS ARMENIACA KERNEL OIL) is a pressed fat9. Apricot kernel powder (PRUNUS ARMENIACA SHELL POWDER) is a mechanical exfoliant made from the shell: they are two distinct ingredients, with different uses in our scrubs.
Are there risks with apricot kernel oil?
No restriction applies to the ingredient in the EU9 and it is not on the list of fragrance allergens. The CIR judged the 244 vegetable oils of its report safe8, although we could not check here whether this INCI is on the list. We retained no source on possible residues specific to the kernel: a supplier certificate of analysis remains necessary. During pregnancy, as with any skincare, the advice of a healthcare professional remains the rule.
Can you manufacture an apricot kernel oil or an apricot kernel product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 11 formulas containing apricot kernel oil (massage and bath oils, balms, shower gels) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- Turan S, Topcu A, Karabulut I, et al. Fatty acid, triacylglycerol, phytosterol, and tocopherol variations in kernel oil of Malatya apricots from Turkey J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55(26):10787-10794. doi:10.1021/jf071801p
- Stryjecka M, Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz A, Michalak M, et al. Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of oils from the seeds of five apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars J Oleo Sci. 2019;68(8):729-738. doi:10.5650/jos.ess19121
- Poljšak N, Kočevar Glavač N. Vegetable butters and oils as therapeutically and cosmetically active ingredients for dermal use: a review of clinical studies Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:868461. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.868461
- Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural oils for skin-barrier repair: ancient compounds now backed by modern science Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(1):103-117. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
- Orsavova J, Misurcova L, Ambrozova JV, et al. Fatty acids composition of vegetable oils and its contribution to dietary energy intake and dependence of cardiovascular mortality on dietary intake of fatty acids Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(6):12871-12890. doi:10.3390/ijms160612871
- Shuai X, Dai T, Chen M, et al. Comparative study of chemical compositions and antioxidant capacities of oils obtained from 15 macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) cultivars in China Foods. 2021;10(5):1031. doi:10.3390/foods10051031
- Burnett CL, Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, et al. Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils Int J Toxicol. 2017;36(3_suppl):51S-129S. doi:10.1177/1091581817740569
- European Commission. CosIng, entry PRUNUS ARMENIACA KERNEL OIL (CAS 68650-44-2 / 72869-69-3, CE 272-046-1). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
Tell us about your project
A product specialist reviews your request and gets back to you on the channel you prefer.
No obligation. Your information stays confidential and is used only to prepare your quote.