Blueberry Seed Oil - The Fragile Powerhouse


This winter, I've been testing several new carrier oils in a series of personal oil blends. I will often make a mix, testing each new oil in different combinations and dosages to get a feel for how it behaves, what it mixes well with etc.

When I have 'gotten to know it', I might try it out in an emulsion: cream or lotion.

Some oils shouldn't be heated (making them difficult – but not impossible – to use in an emulsion) while others will take almost everything you throw at them.

A Relatively Fragile Oil

Blueberry Seed Oil (INCI: Vaccinium Angustifolium / Vaccinium Corymbosum) is said to be among the more fragile oils (having a somewhat shorter shelf life than most), and although it can be added to emulsions, I've been happy with how it performs in cold-mix products.

This oil has several properties 
  • a natural range of vitamin E isomers (read: built-in antioxidants) 
  • high quantity of alpha lineolic acid (25-36%)
  • plant sterols (also called phytoesterols) 

All of these components are beneficial for the skin

I love the fabulous light green color it has, but best of all, it's a thin, dry oil that quickly melts in and leaves absolutely no greasy feel.

But Quite the Powerhouse

Even though it is classified as a carrier oil and can be used at up to 100% of a product (yup, you can apply it right out of the bottle), blueberry seed oil is a powerful addition to any blend.

The oil is great for battling skin problems due to environmental stress and is ideal for sensitive and oily skin. 

It offers excellent cell and tissue regeneration properties, and is even claimed to be efficient for skin conditions such as acne. 

More Qualities

  • Helps repair damaged skin tissue (scars)
  • Helps reduces fine lines and wrinkles (particularly around eyes and mouth)
  • Helps boost the elasticity of the skin
  • Anti-aging

LisaLise Products With Blueberry Seed Oil

I have included this oil in several custom blends, and have more recently testing in in an eye serum (custom formulated for a client).

Do Tell

Have you worked with blueberry seed oil? What are your experiences with it?

More About Blueberry Seed Oil 

Product sheet from Natural Sourcing
Product sheet from Adina
Ingenta - a short overview

Comments

Unknown said…
Hello...if I mix this oil in a DIY body butter with shea butter, evoo, coconut oil, vitamin E, and sweet almond oil what do think the shelf-life would be? I'm curious since you said it was a fragile oil. I want to make blueberry scented body butter a friends baby shower favors. She's nicknaming her baby blueberry until it arrives.
LisaLise said…
Hey there Shannon,

Great question!
The shelf life of any anhydrous (water-free) product is dependant upon the ingredient with the shortest shelf life. Blueberry seed oil has a shelf life of about 6 months, but as you are adding an anti-retardant (vitamin E), you are extending the shelf life to about a year and a half. You'll need 1-2% vitamin E to do this.

Also, be sure to add the blueberry seed oil when the mixture is almost cool as it is very heat-sensitive,

Your recipe sounds great! I better warn you that blueberry seed oil doesn't actually smell very much like blueberries. I think you may have to factor in adding a scent if you want a specific blueberry scent. Also, if you use virgin coconut oil you are going to have a (divine) coconut scent that either needs to be 'worked with' or masked.

Let me know how it goes!
Unknown said…
Thanks!! I'll let you know how it turns out.
Clara said…
I love learning about new oils. Thanks for profiling blueberry oil.
LisaLise said…
You are very welcome Clara
Kar said…
Hello, I just came upon your blog about blueberry seed oil. I live in an area with an abundance of blueberries and wondering if it's possible to press the oil myself? I've searched the Internet for information about this, but all I come up with is ads to buy the oil. Do you know if it's possible to press the oil myself with a basic home seed press? Thanks!! Karleen
LisaLise said…
HI Kar,

Great question! I imagine if you have the equipment, it would be possible to press your own oil. The fiddliness of separating the seeds from the blueberries is enough to have me running in a different direction, so I admire your idea. As the oil is pressed from the seeds, and you don't want any water, I imagine you will have to dry the seeds before pressing. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you!
Kar said…
Thanks for your reply! I'll keep working on this and post an update in a few months. I just wish there was some information about this. I've searched the Internet for hours and can't find ANYTHING. I guess I'll just buy a seed press & see how it goes...
Thanks again :o)
Kar
LisaLise said…
Hi Kar . Great! I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes :)
Unknown said…
Hi Lise, May I inquire as to what brand of blueberry oil you would use? Thank you.
Unknown said…
Hi Lise, May I inquire as to which brand of Blueberry oil you would use? I suffer from psoriasis and make my own lotions. Thanks
LisaLise said…
Hi Janet - There are several cosmetics ingredients suppliers that carry this oil. In Europe, you'll find it at Aroma Zone in France, in the UK Aromantic has it. In the US I believe Formulators Sample Shop carries it. :)
Jeri said…
Can you tell me at what heat point does blueberry seed oil start to lose its benefits? How can u tell if its been over heated?

Thanks
LisaLise said…
Hi Jeri - Obviously, the fresher the better, but as to how long before benefits are lost - this is hard to answer without extensive testing (which would require quite a bit of time and equipment). I never heat blueberry oil at all (always add to cool down phase or use in a cold-mix emulsion or other cold mix product), so I'm afraid I can't answer how you can tell.