Pomegranate Seed Oil - an ally to mature, dry, and allergy-prone skin

Scientific name: Punica granatum L. Family: Lythraceae (loosestrife family) Plant Part: Seed INCI: Punica Granatum Seed Oil

Composition and Characteristics of Pomegranate Seed Oil

Fatty Acids: Palmitic Acid 3%, Stearic Acid 3%, Oleic Acid 7%, Linoleic Acid 3%, Punicic Acid 80%, Gondoic Acid 1%

Phytosterols 5.000 mg/kg

17-α-Estradiol 3.000 mg/kg

Estrone 17 mg/kg

Phospholipids 3%

Vitamin E 10.000 mg/kg (mainly γ-tocopherol)

Pomegranate seed oil has a unique nutritional profile that makes it particularly suitable for cosmetic applications. This oil is mainly characterised by its high content of punicic acid (an omega-5 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid [1]). It is also worth to highlight its high content of phytosterols as well as tocopherols.

Origin and geographic distribution

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a small tree often cultivated both for its fruit and as a garden plant. The pomegranate tree was firstly originated in Iran, from where it subsequently spread to the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, America, and Australia [2].

Punica granatum: cultural connotations

Pomegranate has been an overall cherished fruit over the centuries, by many different cultures. The Babylonian civilisation, for instance, believed in pomegranate's ressurecting powers. For the Persians, on the other hand, pomegranate was especially relevant during war times as a symbol of invincibility. The Chinese often tend to associate pomegranate with immortality and longevity [1]. The most common cultural constructions around pomegranate, are, though, the ones in which this fruit is regarded as a symbol of fertility and wealth (mainly due to the seeds).

General health benefits of pomegranate

The different parts of pomegranate fruit have different components relevant to one's health, such as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and others. This is most likely why pomegranate has, throughout the centuries, been a cherished fruit amongst multiple civilisations [1]. 

Studies undertaken in both human and animal models have corroborated the antioxidant, anti-invasive and pro-apoptotic properties of punica granatum [3] and its important role when preventing lipid peroxidation and neutrophil activation (this is, above all, a feature of Pomegranate Seed Oil). This makes this fruit's oil particularly attractive for cosmetic applications (more information about this topic in the following section).

Several pieces of research have also highlighted the important role of pomegranate in the context of the suppression of cancer cells' reproduction [1,3]. Pomegranate Seed Oil has deserved considerable emphasis amongst specialists due to its antitumour properties, especially in the context of prostate and breast cancers (cancers with hormonal origin, which Pomegranate Seed Oil can help to prevent), as well as colon cancers (as it helps decreasing the accumulation of hepatic triglycerides and it promotes the regeneration of epidermal tissue) [3].

Pomegranate may also make a difference when it comes to liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and renal conditions, mainly due to its protective, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects [3]. 

The following image, retrieved from a piece of research conducted by Boroushaki et al. (2015) [3], summarises the additional multiple pharmacological uses of Pomegranate Seed Oil. 

 

In the context of this article, and as a way of establishing a bridge to the next section (which will focus on the benefits of Pomegranate Seed Oil to skin), it seems relevant to emphasise the cosmetic pharmacological properties listed by the researchers. 

Pomegranate Oil: a powerful ally to skincare

Pomegranate seeds contain a high percentage of oil (approximately 20%) [2]. The triglyceride composition of this oil (mainly punicic acid - a conjugated linolenic acid characteristic from pomegranate seeds, [5]), combined with the presence of two estrogen hormones (17α-estradiol and estrone) and a high concentration of vitamin E, makes it unprecedented, unique, and valuable – so much that it cannot be suitably replaced by any other vegetable oil [2].

Studies focusing on Pomegranate Seed Oil undertaken in human skin [6] have emphasised its capability of increasing keratinocyte (the primary type of cell found in the epidermis) proliferation and, as a consequence, of mildly contributing for the thickening of the epidermis [3,6]. This is one of the reasons why Punica Granatum Seed Oil is much indicated for mature skin and denotes a considerable anti-aging potential and is worth considering when tackling wrinkles. 

Other pieces of research have also examined Pomegranate Seed Oil's antitumour properties [3,4] as well as both its powerful action in terms of injured skin regeneration and reduction of the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation [3]. Due to this, the application of Pomegranate Seed Oil to dry skin is fully appropriate.

Experts who have analysed Pomegranate Oil have also consistently highlighted its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative features, which makes it particularly suitable for stressed and / or allergy-prone skin.

Punica Granatum Seed Oil: final remarks

Pomegranate Seed Oil is, undoubtedly, a valuable addition to the skincare ritual of those with mature, dry, allergy-prone, and stressed skin. Its high concentration of punicic acid highly contributes to the regeneration of the dermis (hence its strong antiaging potential) and to the prevention of wrinkles. Punica Granatum Seed Oil is also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which explains its suitability to allergy-prone and stressed skin. Its pivotal role in terms of reducing potential damages caused by sun overexposure cannot be ignored either. Pomegranate Seed Oil is a multi-faceted oil which will certainly do wonders for your skin.

 

 

References

[1] Melo, I. L. P. D, Carvalho, E. B. T. D & Mancini-Filho, J. (2014) Pomegranate Seed Oil (Punica Granatum L.): A Source of Punicic Acid (Conjugated α-Linoleic Acid). Journal of Human Nutrition & Food Science, 2(1): 1024

[2] Glavac, N. K. & Janes, D. (2021) Modern Cosmetics - Ingredients of Natural Origin: A Scientific View, Volume 1 [Encyclopedia of natural cosmetic ingredients]

[3] Boroushaki, M. T. et al. (2015) Pomegranate Seed Oil: A Comprehensive Review On Its Therapeutic Effects. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 7(2): 1000-1013

[4] Thotambailu, A. et al. (2021) Role of Pomegranate in the Management of Cancer. Intechopen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.97188

[5] Fernandes, L. et al. (2015) Fatty acid, vitamin E and sterols composition of seed oils from nine different pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars grown in Spain. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 39: 13-22. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2014.11.006

[6] Dayan, N. (2008) Skin Aging Handbook: An Integrated Approach to Biochemistry and Product Development. New York, USA: William Andrew Inc.