Rice Bran Oil is a botanical fixed oil obtained from the bran layer of rice (Oryza sativa). It is a versatile cosmetic ingredient valued for its emollient properties, balanced fatty acid profile and naturally occurring unsaponifiable components. The oil is primarily composed of glycerides containing oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids.
In cosmetic formulations, Rice Bran Oil is used as a plant-derived emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient in skincare, haircare, cleansing products, body care, massage products and oil-based formulations. Its relatively balanced combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids makes it useful when formulators want a nourishing botanical oil with a comparatively light cosmetic feel.
The recognized cosmetic INCI name is Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, while Rice Bran Oil and Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil are commonly used technical names.
Rice Bran Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the bran of rice, Oryza sativa. Rice bran is the outer layer associated with the rice grain and contains lipids along with naturally occurring minor components.
The cosmetic ingredient is a complex mixture rather than a single purified chemical compound. Its major components are triglycerides containing different fatty acids, principally oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.
Commercial Rice Bran Oil may be produced through processes such as expelling, extraction and subsequent refining. The processing method can influence colour, odour, free fatty acid content, oxidative stability and the concentration of naturally occurring minor components.
For cosmetic applications, the exact grade, processing method and current Certificate of Analysis should therefore be checked before formulation.
Rice Bran Oil has the following commonly referenced cosmetic identity:
Rice Bran Oil should not be confused with Rice Bran Extract. Rice Bran Extract is a different cosmetic material and may have a different composition, processing method and functional profile.
The fatty acid profile of Rice Bran Oil is one of the main reasons for its use in cosmetic formulations.
The principal fatty acids include:
Published research shows that the precise fatty acid percentages can vary with rice variety, geographical origin, extraction method and processing. Reported literature values commonly place oleic acid and linoleic acid among the dominant fatty acids. Therefore, a fixed percentage should not be assumed for every Rice Bran Oil grade.
For a commercial cosmetic grade, the supplier's current fatty acid profile should be used for formulation specifications.
In addition to triglycerides, Rice Bran Oil contains naturally occurring unsaponifiable components.
These may include:
Gamma-oryzanol is a particularly characteristic group of compounds associated with rice bran oil. It is not a single simple molecule but a mixture of ferulic acid esters of plant sterols and triterpenoids.
The concentration of these components can vary considerably depending on rice variety and processing. Refining may also change their levels. For this reason, claims about a specific concentration of gamma-oryzanol, tocopherols or tocotrienols should be supported by the current analytical specification or Certificate of Analysis of the supplied grade.
Rice Bran Oil is primarily used as an emollient in cosmetic formulations.
Its main formulation functions include:
The oil can contribute to a smooth and conditioned skin feel while helping formulate products designed around plant-derived lipid ingredients.
Rice Bran Oil can be incorporated into a wide variety of cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
Rice Bran Oil is suitable for:
It is particularly useful in formulations where an emollient botanical oil is desired.
Rice Bran Oil can be used in:
Its lipid profile makes it suitable for formulations designed to provide conditioning and a smoother hair feel.
It can also be considered for:
Rice Bran Oil can be incorporated into:
Rice Bran Oil is an oil-phase ingredient and should generally be incorporated into the oil phase of suitable formulations.
Because it contains a meaningful proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, oxidative stability should be considered during formulation and storage. Exposure to excessive heat, oxygen and light can accelerate oxidation of vegetable oils.
Recommended formulation considerations include:
The colour and odour may vary depending on whether the material is crude, filtered, cold-pressed, expeller-pressed or refined.
Rice Bran Oil and Rice Bran Extract should be treated as separate cosmetic ingredients.
Rice Bran Oil is a lipid-rich fixed oil primarily composed of fatty acid glycerides. Rice Bran Extract is an extract containing selected components from rice bran and can have a substantially different composition depending on extraction solvent and manufacturing process.
For formulation, purchasing and regulatory documentation, the exact INCI name should always match the material being supplied.
Rice Bran Oil is a practical botanical emollient for cosmetic manufacturers looking for a versatile plant-derived oil suitable for skincare, haircare and oil-based personal-care formulations.
Key advantages for cosmetic formulation include:
Swapnroop supplies cosmetic ingredient solutions for manufacturers seeking reliable botanical raw materials for personal-care and formulation applications.
Rice Bran Oil can be considered for manufacturers developing skincare, haircare, body-care, cleansing, massage and oil-based cosmetic products.
For commercial formulation, the selected grade should be evaluated against the intended application, processing method, physical characteristics and current batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Rice Bran Oil is a fixed botanical oil obtained from the bran of Oryza sativa. It is primarily composed of glycerides containing oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids and is widely used as a cosmetic emollient.
The recognized INCI name is Oryza Sativa Bran Oil.
The commonly referenced CAS number for cosmetic-grade Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is 68553-81-1.
Yes. Rice Bran Oil is used as a botanical cosmetic ingredient, primarily as an emollient and skin-conditioning oil.
Rice Bran Oil is used in skincare creams, lotions, facial oils, serums, body oils, massage products, hair oils, conditioners, hair masks, cleansing oils and balms.
Yes. Its emollient and skin-conditioning properties make it suitable for many skincare formulations.
Yes. It can be incorporated into hair oils, masks, conditioning products, hair serums and other oil-based haircare formulations.
Yes. Refined cosmetic grades are typically supplied as a liquid oily material, often appearing clear to light yellow.
No. Rice Bran Oil is an oil-phase material and is essentially insoluble in water.
Rice Bran Oil naturally contains gamma-oryzanol, although the concentration depends on rice variety and processing. A specific concentration should be confirmed using the current product specification or analytical report.
Rice Bran Oil can naturally contain tocopherols and tocotrienols. Their concentration varies according to raw material and processing.
The principal fatty acids include oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, with smaller amounts of other fatty acids.
Rice Bran Oil is a fixed lipid-rich oil, whereas Rice Bran Extract is an extract obtained from rice bran and may contain a different set and concentration of constituents.
It should generally be stored in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry location protected from direct sunlight. Batch-specific supplier storage recommendations should be followed.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |