Essential oil Naioli, 1 L

Niaouli Essential Oil, 1 L

Niaouli oil is steam distilled from the leaves and young twigs of Melaleuca viridiflora, a close relative of tea tree and cajeput. The product card gives the INCI name MELALEUCA VIRIDIFLORA LEAF OIL, Spain as the country of production and a 1 L container, a size intended for production rather than development.

Working from one lot across a production run keeps the scent of a shampoo or shower gel consistent from batch to batch.

Composition

1,8-cineole is the dominant constituent, usually making up around half of the oil. Alpha-pinene, limonene, alpha-terpineol and the sesquiterpene alcohol viridiflorol are further typical components. The exact profile depends on chemotype and origin, so check the certificate of analysis.

Scent

The card describes it as clean, fresh, cool, spicy and strong, reminiscent of camphor. Compared with eucalyptus, niaouli has a sweeter and slightly earthy undertone.

Applications

Products for oily skin

The card links the oil to care for oily and porous skin: cleansing gels, toners and clay masks.

Scalp and hair care

Shampoos and scalp tonics with a cooling, fresh scent.

Body care and spa

Shower gels, bath salts and massage blends with a camphoraceous profile.

Usage guidance

Leave-on products generally take 0.5 to 1 % of niaouli oil, and rinse-off products up to 2 %. Add it to the oil phase below 40 °C, or premix it with a solubiliser. Because of its high 1,8-cineole content, it should not be used in facial products for young children.

Technical notes

Cineole-rich oils can soften some plastics, so store bulk quantities in glass or aluminium. Limonene oxidises on exposure to air, so decant partly used containers into smaller ones to reduce headspace.

Product data

Niaouli oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca viridiflora, and its INCI name is MELALEUCA VIRIDIFLORA LEAF OIL. It is produced in Spain and supplied in a 1 L container.

Example: cooling foot cream, 1000 g

The 1000 g cream is built on 700 g of distilled water and 30 g of glycerin. It is emulsified with 60 g of a cetearyl alcohol and ceteareth-20 emulsifier, and the oil phase consists of 50 g of shea butter and 120 g of sunflower oil. Add 20 g of urea for softness, 8 g of niaouli essential oil and 5 g of menthyl lactate for the cooling feel, and 7 g of preservative.

Heat the water and glycerin to 75 °C, and the emulsifier, shea butter and sunflower oil to 75 °C. Combine and homogenise, then cool while stirring. Below 40 °C add urea predissolved in a little water, the niaouli oil, menthyl lactate and preservative. Check the pH and adjust to about 5.5. The oil level is 0.8 %.

Storage and related sizes

Keep tightly closed in a cool, dark place. For trials use niaouli oil in 100 ml; emulsifiers for creams like this are in wholesale emulsifiers.

FAQ

What is niaouli oil distilled from?

It is steam distilled from the leaves and young twigs of Melaleuca viridiflora.

Why is niaouli oil not used in facial products for young children?

Its high 1,8-cineole content is the reason it is kept out of these products.

How can partly used containers of niaouli oil be stored?

Decant what is left into smaller containers to reduce the headspace above the oil.