Supercritical CO2 extraction is a process that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull the desired compound from a plant. CO2 acts as a non-toxic solvent that produces fixed oils (lipids) and volatile oils (similar to essential oils).The result is a natural extract that is rich in antioxidants, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds. CO2 extracts have higher levels of antioxidants and other anti-aging properties than the distilled or cold-pressed versions of the plant matter. They are the crème de la crème of skincare ingredients.
What are CO2 extracts?
As mentioned above, CO2 extraction is a process that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to extract the desired compound from a plant. CO2 extracts are different from other extracts because they do not rely on harsh chemicals or high temperatures to extract the desired compound from the plant. This results in an ingredient that contains higher levels of bioactives. For instance, rosehip CO2 extract has higher levels of beta-carotene than the cold-pressed oil and you can see that from the deep reddish colour in the final products and frankincense CO2 has healing triterpenes that don't make it into the essential oil.
How we use CO2 extracts in our skincare products
The Carotene Glow Carotene Booster is a CO2 extraction formula with the precious extracts of rosehip, sea buckthorn, pomegranate, and frankincense. These powerful ingredients can be added to your moisturizer in small drops to enhance the healing and rejuvenation properties of your skincare routine. Another bonus is that the high levels of beta-carotene will create a warm tone to the skin.
CO2 extraction leads to a better quality product with greater concentrations of crucial bioactives like carotenoids, polyphenols, and triterpenes. It is a petroleum-free method of extraction that runs on a closed loop and has little negative environmental impact. Sustainable and higher quality - what more could you ask for?