Sacha Inchi Oil is a specialty botanical cosmetic oil obtained from the seeds of Plukenetia volubilis, a plant native to the Amazonian regions of South America. It is also known as Sacha Inchi Seed Oil, Inca Peanut Oil and Mountain Peanut Oil.
The recognized cosmetic INCI name is Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil. Sacha Inchi Oil is particularly valued for its distinctive fatty-acid profile, containing high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6), together with smaller amounts of oleic, palmitic and stearic acids.
Because of its lipid composition, Sacha Inchi Oil is suitable for cosmetic formulations requiring a plant-derived emollient and skin-conditioning oil. It can be incorporated into facial oils, serums, moisturizers, body-care products, haircare formulations, scalp-care products and other personal-care applications.
Sacha Inchi Oil is a fixed vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of Plukenetia volubilis. The seeds are naturally rich in oil, and cold-pressed Sacha Inchi Oil is commonly described as a light yellow to golden-yellow botanical oil with a characteristic nutty odor.
The oil is notable for its unusually high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Published studies have reported alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid as the dominant fatty acids, although their exact percentages vary according to cultivar, geographical origin, growing conditions, extraction method and processing.
Sacha Inchi Oil should be distinguished from Sacha Inchi seed extracts, seed proteins and other Plukenetia botanical materials. The cosmetic ingredient described on this page is the fixed seed oil.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Sacha Inchi Oil |
| Common Names | Sacha Inchi Seed Oil, Inca Peanut Oil, Mountain Peanut Oil, Sacha Peanut Oil |
| INCI Name | Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil |
| Botanical Name | Plukenetia volubilis L. |
| Botanical Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Plant Part | Seeds |
| Ingredient Type | Fixed botanical / vegetable oil |
| CAS Number | 90082-21-6 |
| CosIng Reference | 59662 |
| Physical State | Liquid |
| Typical Appearance | Light yellow to golden-yellow oily liquid; grade-dependent |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Primary Cosmetic Function | Skin Conditioning |
| Additional Functions | Emollient, hair conditioning, formulation support |
| Major Fatty Acids | Alpha-Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid |
| Characteristic Minor Components | Tocopherols, phytosterols and other minor lipid constituents |
Sacha Inchi Oil can function as a skin-conditioning ingredient, contributing to a smooth and conditioned skin feel in cosmetic formulations.
Its high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids makes it suitable for facial oils, serums, creams, lotions and other lipid-containing skincare products.
As a fixed botanical oil, Sacha Inchi Oil can function as an emollient, contributing to the oil phase and sensory characteristics of cosmetic formulations.
Sacha Inchi Oil can provide a plant-derived lipid phase in emulsions, anhydrous balms, facial oils and other oil-based products.
Sacha Inchi Oil can be incorporated into hair oils, conditioners, masks, hair serums and leave-on hair formulations where a botanical oil is desired.
Its Amazonian botanical origin and distinctive fatty-acid profile make Sacha Inchi Oil suitable for natural-origin and specialty botanical cosmetic concepts.
Sacha Inchi Oil is particularly distinctive because of its high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
Published research reports the following broad characteristics:
A study of Ecuadorian and Peruvian P. volubilis oils reported approximately 46.6–51.5% alpha-linolenic acid, 32.5–36.5% linoleic acid and 8.3–8.5% oleic acid. Earlier studies have reported ranges of approximately 35–51% ALA, 33–41% linoleic acid and 8–11% oleic acid.
Another comprehensive analysis reported approximately 46.92% linolenic acid, 38.09% linoleic acid, 8.64% oleic acid, 3.62% palmitic acid and 2.72% stearic acid in the analyzed oil sample.
These values demonstrate that fatty-acid composition can vary between samples. For commercial formulation, the current batch COA should be used for any guaranteed fatty-acid specification.
In addition to triglycerides and fatty acids, Sacha Inchi Oil can contain naturally occurring minor lipid components.
Depending on extraction and processing, these may include:
A review of Sacha Inchi seed oil reports the presence of gamma-tocopherol and delta-tocopherol, together with phytosterols including campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol.
The concentration of these components can vary according to seed origin, cultivar, extraction method, refining and storage.
Sacha Inchi Oil can be considered for a broad range of cosmetic and personal-care products.
Sacha Inchi Oil contains a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This makes oxidative stability an important formulation consideration.
Protect the oil from excessive exposure to oxygen, heat and light. An appropriate antioxidant system may be considered according to the finished formulation and required shelf life.
Packaging with appropriate protection against oxygen and light can be beneficial, particularly for grades with high polyunsaturated fatty-acid content.
Avoid unnecessary prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. Processing conditions should be selected according to the raw-material grade and formulation requirements.
Cold-pressed Sacha Inchi Oil can have a light yellow to golden-yellow appearance and a characteristic nutty odor. Refining and filtration can modify these characteristics.
Compatibility should be evaluated with:
Store in a tightly closed container under the recommended conditions for the specific commercial grade. Protect from excessive heat, light and oxygen.
For commercial cosmetic use, verify the current COA/TDS for:
Sacha Inchi Oil should not be confused with Sacha Inchi Seed Extract.
Sacha Inchi Oil is a fixed lipid-rich oil obtained from the seeds and is primarily used as an emollient and conditioning ingredient.
Sacha Inchi Extract may be prepared using different extraction systems and can contain a different proportion of phenolic, protein, flavonoid or other non-lipid constituents.
For cosmetic documentation, the correct INCI identity should therefore match the actual raw material supplied.
Sacha Inchi Oil and Sacha Inchi Protein are different raw materials.
Sacha Inchi Oil is the lipid fraction obtained from the seeds, whereas Sacha Inchi Protein is a protein-rich material obtained through separate processing. Their cosmetic functions, formulation behavior and technical specifications are different.
Swapnroop supplies specialty cosmetic ingredients for manufacturers and formulation companies developing skincare, haircare, body-care and personal-care products.
Sacha Inchi Oil can be considered where a plant-derived emollient and skin-conditioning oil with a high polyunsaturated fatty-acid profile is required.
For commercial procurement, buyers should verify the botanical identity, plant part, extraction method, CAS identity, fatty-acid profile, peroxide value, packaging and current batch COA/TDS.
Sacha Inchi Oil is a fixed botanical oil obtained from the seeds of Plukenetia volubilis. Its INCI name is Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil.
The INCI name is Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil.
A commonly referenced CAS number is 90082-21-6.
Sacha Inchi Oil is obtained from the seeds of Plukenetia volubilis L.
Yes. The INCI name specifically identifies it as Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil.
No. Sacha Inchi Oil is a fixed vegetable oil and is essentially insoluble in water.
The major fatty acids are generally alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid, with smaller quantities of palmitic and stearic acids.
Sacha Inchi Oil is particularly rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Published studies commonly report ALA as the major fatty acid.
Yes. It can be incorporated into facial oils, serums, creams, lotions, balms and other skin-conditioning formulations.
Yes. It can be incorporated into hair oils, conditioners, masks, serums and leave-on hair formulations.
Yes. Published analyses have identified tocopherols, particularly gamma- and delta-tocopherols, in Sacha Inchi Oil.
Its high polyunsaturated fatty-acid content makes protection from oxygen, heat and light an important formulation consideration.
No. Sacha Inchi Oil is the fixed seed oil, whereas Sacha Inchi Extract is prepared through a different extraction process and has a different chemical composition.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |