| What is it? | Raspberry seed oil is a liquid carrier oil pressed from the seeds of the raspberry. It is comprised almost entirely of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and oleic acids. Its anti-inflammatory properties are “superior compared to those of other well-known oils such as virgin avocado oil, grapeseed oil, hazelnut oil, and wheat germ oil” (Oomah, et al 2000). |
| INCI | Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil |
| Appearance | Yellow liquid oil |
| Usage rate | Up to 100% |
| Texture | Smooth, lightweight oil |
| Scent | Mild; fairly typical of carrier oils |
| Absorbency Speed | Fast to average |
| Approximate Melting Point | Liquid at room temperature |
| Solubility | Oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | Due to its high price I typically reserve the use of raspberry seed oil for facial serums and other applications where it can be used in higher concentrations without any required heating. It is very rich in vitamin E and has anti-inflammatory properties. |
| Do you need it? | No |
| Refined or unrefined? | I’ve only used refined, and I’ve liked it, but I’d love to try unrefined at some point! |
| Strengths | Rich in vitamin E, fast absorbing, anti-inflammatory properties. |
| Weaknesses | Fairly expensive. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | Rosehip oil would be a good alternative. |
| How to Work with It | Include it in the oil phase of your formulas; avoid prolonged heating if possible. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, raspberry seed oil should last up to two years. I recommend storage in the fridge if possible. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | You’ll often read that raspberry seed oil has an SPF and can be used as a “natural sunscreen”. This comes from a study titled Characteristics of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seed oil. Lotion Crafter addresses this well in their product description: “This was merely a study indicating some sunscreen potential, but it should, by no means, be relied upon without further independent testing. Red Raspberry Oil is a natural crop and, as such, its constituents can vary from batch to batch or harvest to harvest. As with any cosmetic raw material, any sunscreen benefits would have to be proven or disproven through sunscreen testing of any sunscreen formulation.” The way I see it, relying on any natural plant oil for SPF is like relying on a lottery ticket for my retirement fund. It would definitely be nice if that lottery ticket padded my retirement fund, but I’d be a fool to count on it and fail to save for my retirement because I bought a lottery ticket. Formula Botanica has written a great post on this topic as well. |
| Recommended starter amount | 30mL (1fl oz) to 100mL (3.3fl oz)—let the price and your interest be your guide. |
| Where to Buy it | Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
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