At first glance, an oil might just look like an oil but behind that simple appearance lies a rich world of botanical goodness and the way an oil is extracted can make the world of difference to its performance.
Cold-pressed oils are among the most revered raw materials in the beauty and personal care space. Let’s unpack what they are, how they differ from other oils, and where they shine, especially how they work in skincare, haircare, and natural formulations.
What Does “Cold-Pressed” Mean?
Cold-pressed describes a mechanical extraction process where seeds, nuts, or fruit are gently pressed to release their botanical oil without the use of high heat or harsh solvents. The definition varies by region, but in the UK this process typically stays below around 40 °C to ensure the oil’s natural profile stays intact.
Why does this matter? The lower temperature preserves delicate nutrients like fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that are sensitive to heat and can be lost during conventional extraction. This means cold-pressed oils deliver a richer, more intact botanical profile into your products.
Cold-Pressed vs. Heated Extraction
Standard heated extraction methods often rely on high temperatures and chemical solvents to speed up the process. While this may be efficient, it can strip the oil of its natural benefits and introduce residues that are far from ideal for premium formulations.
Cold pressing, by contrast, uses only physical pressure to extract the oil, keeping it as close as possible to its pure, original state. This aligns with clean-formulation principles and supports ingredient integrity, a core value at Inky Ingredients.
Key Benefits of Cold-Pressed Oils
Rich in Natural Nutrients
Cold-pressed oils retain more of their botanical goodness including essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and micronutrients like vitamin E which can support skin and hair health when included in formulations.
Better for People & Planet
Because cold pressing doesn’t require solvents or intense refining, it reduces chemical use and aligns with more sustainable production practices. This supports our commitment to ethically sourced, environmentally responsible ingredients.
Premium Performance
Many cold-pressed oils, such as avocado, hemp, or olive oil, deliver superior sensory and functional qualities that elevate product texture and performance, from luxurious feel to enhanced nutrient delivery.
What Oils Are Commonly Cold-Pressed?
A wide range of botanical oils benefit from cold pressing, including:
Olive Oil – rich in antioxidants and emollients
Avocado Oil – deeply nourishing and conditioning
Hemp Seed Oil – balanced fatty acid profile
Sweet Almond Oil – gentle and skin-softening
These are staples in our range of cold-pressed oils at Inky Ingredients and are popular among formulators seeking clean, nutrient-dense bases for balms, serums, conditioners, and more.
How Cold-Pressed Oils Are Used
Cold-pressed oils are incredibly versatile. As carriers for active oils, moisturising serums and soothing balms, they’re perfect for skincare and body products. They are also a good addition for haircare products such as nourishing scalp treatments, pre-wash masks, or shine boosting finishes.
Their nutrient profile and sensory quality make them ideal for products where purity and performance matter most.
The Bottom Line
Cold-pressed oils represent a natural, nutrient-rich raw material that formulators can trust to elevate their products. Their clean extraction process aligns with sustainable values and supports robust performance in a wide range of applications from skincare to haircare and beyond.
At Inky Ingredients, we curate a broad selection of premium cold-pressed oils to help you create formulations that are clean, effective, and beautifully tactile.
