A triglyceride rich in linoleic acid
LaboratoryIn the sample analyzed, linoleic acid reaches 59.7%, palmitic 17.4% and oleic 12.7%. α-linolenic acid accounts for 1.2% and saturated fatty acids for 18.2%1.
Wheat germ oil
Wheat germ oil is obtained by pressing or extracting wheat germ, Triticum vulgare7. It contains about 60% linoleic acid and 17.4% palmitic acid in the sample analyzed1, and 273 mg/100 g of tocopherols in another study2. CosIng classifies it as an emollient and humectant7. Few skin studies exist, and none isolates it.
Wheat germ oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database7. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- TRITICUM VULGARE GERM OIL
- Other names
- Wheat germ oilWheat germ oil; TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM OIL (US INCI name)
- CAS number
- 68917-73-7 / 8006-95-9Two CAS numbers for the same CosIng entry7
- EC number
- 281-689-7
- Botanical origin
- Wheat (Poaceae)Oil obtained by pressing or extracting the germ of Triticum vulgare wheat7
- Composition
- Triglycerides, mostly linoleicIn the sample analyzed: linoleic 59.7%, palmitic 17.4%, oleic 12.7%, α-linolenic 1.2%, saturated 18.2%1
- Tocopherols and carotenoids
- 273 mg/100 g and 12.23 mg/100 gLevels measured in an oil extracted from the germ, with 61.2% polyunsaturated fatty acids2
- CosIng functions
- Emollient, humectant, skin conditioning"Skin conditioning - emollient", "humectant" and "skin conditioning"7
- EU status
- No restriction specific to the ingredientNo annex listed in CosIng7; Triticum does not appear in Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 consolidated on May 1, 2025
- Allergen to declare
- No (fragrance list)Not on the list of fragrance allergens in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545
- Gluten
- Content not documented in our sourcesWe found no official source or peer-reviewed study quantifying wheat proteins or gluten in this oil, which is extracted from wheat germ7. Ask for it in the batch specification
- Safety (CIR)
- Report on 244 vegetable oilsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) report on 244 vegetable oils: judged safe as used in cosmetics. We could not check here whether this INCI is among the 244 oils; check it in the report6
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
Tocopherols, carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids
LaboratoryThe germ oil, extracted at 7.35% of the germ, contains 61.2% polyunsaturated fatty acids, 273 mg/100 g of tocopherols and 12.23 mg/100 g of carotenoids, more than wheat bran oil2.
The extraction process changes the minor compounds
LaboratoryLevels of policosanols, tocopherols and phytosterols depend on the process, while the fatty acid composition stays almost identical. Cold-pressed oil contains the most octacosanol, β-sitosterol and α-linolenic acid3.
Skin and bodySkincare, bodycare
Hydration: the effect of the oil alone is not isolated
Clinical trialThe formula with wheat germ oil, aloe vera and turmeric gave the best result, with a rise in skin conductance of up to 168%. Wheat germ oil or aloe vera alone hydrate less4.
Linoleic acid, the main component of this oil
ReviewThe authors report, in animal or cell models, effects of linoleic acid applied to the skin, including barrier repair. They call for more clinical research5. Wheat germ oil contains about 60% of it1.
Enzyme inhibition in vitro, with no demonstrated link to skin
LaboratoryCold-pressed oil inhibits cyclooxygenase 1 in vitro by 80.5% (IC50 58.6 µg/mL) and proteinases by 93.4% (IC50 195.7 µg/mL). These enzyme assays prove no effect on the skin3.
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 as used in cosmetics. The review focused mainly on skin effects6.
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 wheat germ oil?
Our white label catalog includes 5 formulas with wheat germ oil, always as a supporting ingredient. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
2Body
Supporting oil in the lavender intimate foam and the strengthening beard and hair serum.
3Hair
Supporting oil in the black seed styling cream, the hair oil and the two-phase hair oil.
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Vitamin E 3Sweet almond oil 2Avocado oil 2Pumpkin seed oil 2Wheat germ, grapeseed, sunflower or sweet almond?
Four triglyceride oils measured in the same study. Wheat germ has the highest share of saturated fatty acids of the four.
| Wheat germ oil | Grapeseed oil | Sunflower oil | Sweet almond oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linoleic acid | 59.7%1 | 74.7%1 | 62.2%1 | 22.8%1 |
| Palmitic acid | 17.4%1 | 6.6%1 | 6.2%1 | 6.8%1 |
| Saturated fatty acids | 18.2%1 | 10.4%1 | 9.4%1 | 9.3%1 |
| EU regulation | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 5 formulas | 14 formulas | 7 formulas | 74 formulas |
Frequently asked questions about wheat germ oil
What is wheat germ oil?
What are the benefits of wheat germ oil in cosmetics?
Is wheat germ oil good for hair?
We found no controlled study measuring its effect alone on hair: it is a formulation use. In our catalog, it goes into a styling cream and hair oils.
Is wheat germ oil gluten free?
We found no official source or peer-reviewed study quantifying wheat proteins or gluten in wheat germ oil, which is extracted from wheat germ7. The answer depends on refining and on the batch: read it in the supplier's specification. This oil is not on the list of fragrance allergens.
Is wheat germ oil comedogenic?
We found no official or peer-reviewed source giving a comedogenicity rating, so this page gives no figure. Tolerance on a given skin is checked with tests on the finished formula.
Is wheat germ oil safe?
No restriction applies to the ingredient in the EU7. The CIR judged the 244 vegetable oils of its report safe6, though we could not check here whether this INCI is on the list. For people sensitive to wheat, ask for the batch specification. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.
Can you manufacture a wheat germ oil or a wheat germ product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 5 formulas containing wheat germ oil (styling cream, hair oils, beard care) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- 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
- Kumar GS, Krishna AG. Studies on the nutraceuticals composition of wheat derived oils wheat bran oil and wheat germ oil J Food Sci Technol. 2015;52(2):1145-1151. doi:10.1007/s13197-013-1119-3
- Harrabi S, Ferchichi A, Fellah H, et al. Chemical composition and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of wheat germ oil depending on the extraction procedure J Oleo Sci. 2021;70(8):1051-1058. doi:10.5650/jos.ess20317
- Saraf S, Sahu S, Kaur CD, et al. Comparative measurement of hydration effects of herbal moisturizers Pharmacognosy Res. 2010;2(3):146-151. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.65508
- Wang X, Jia Y, He H. The role of linoleic acid in skin and hair health: a review Int J Mol Sci. 2024;26(1):246. doi:10.3390/ijms26010246
- 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 TRITICUM VULGARE GERM OIL (CAS 68917-73-7 / 8006-95-9, CE 281-689-7). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
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