In this article we introduce camellia oil — where it comes from, what it contains and why it has been treasured in skin and hair care for centuries. It is also known as “tea seed oil” and comes from plants of the tea family, Theaceae. Camellias grow across eastern and southern Asia, Japan, Indonesia and the Himalayas. The genus is named after the botanist Georg Joseph Kamel.
Camellias are evergreen shrubs and trees that can reach up to 20 m. Their flowers are usually white, pink or red and quite large — around 12 cm across. Yellow camellias are found only in Vietnam and southern China. The plants like humus-rich soil, do not do well on poor, lime-rich soils and do not tolerate drought, so they need regular watering on top of rainfall. They grow fast — typically about 30 cm a year, depending on location and variety.
The leaves of Camellia sinensis are what we make tea from. The oil, however, is pressed from the seeds of Camellia oleifera and Camellia japonica. Do not confuse it with tea tree oil — that is an essential oil from a completely different plant (Melaleuca).
What camellia oil contains
Camellia oil is one of the richest oils in monounsaturated fat. Recent laboratory studies of Camellia oleifera seed oil find oleic acid at roughly 75–85% of all fatty acids — comparable to, and often above, olive oil — with smaller amounts of linoleic and palmitic acid. Around 90% of its fat is unsaturated. It also carries squalene, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), plant sterols such as beta-sitosterol and polyphenols, along with vitamins A, B and D and the minerals calcium and potassium, and bioactive triterpenes and saponins.
The oil has a mild scent and a light, pale colour. It is edible and similar to olive oil and grape seed oil; in some provinces of China it is the main cooking fat. It handles heat well — a measured smoke point of about 215 °C.
What is camellia oil used for?
Camellia oil is suitable for both external and internal use. In Japan it is known as tsubaki oil and is one of the oldest beauty oils in the country — traditionally combed through the hair after washing, and said to be the beauty secret of the geisha. It is light in texture, absorbs well and does not leave a greasy film, so it can be used both in the morning and at night.
- For hair — camellia oil moisturises the scalp, helps remove dandruff and prevents split ends.
- For skin — it absorbs well without leaving a sticky feeling. Regular use nourishes the skin, helps improve its elasticity and reduces the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Its high oleic acid content supports collagen and elastin.
- Sun and city air — camellia oil offers some protection against UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin and cause premature ageing. It does not protect against UVB rays, which cause sunburn and are a risk factor for skin cancer. It cannot replace a sunscreen, but works very well as after-sun care and as a protective film against air pollution.
- Faster wound healing — camellia oil is rich in vitamin E, which stimulates cell renewal and helps the skin heal faster. Regular use on wounds, cuts and scrapes minimises scarring and protects against infection.
- Lowers blood pressure — camellia oil is rich in potassium and, taken internally, has a beneficial effect on blood pressure. The high level of monounsaturated fat helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and has a positive effect on hypertension.
- Reduces joint inflammation — the oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, oleic acid, kaempferol and other compounds that reduce inflammation in joints and tissues and help soothe the symptoms of arthritis.
- Slows the onset of osteoporosis — camellia oil contains minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and potassium, which help maintain bone mineral density and slow the onset of osteoporosis with age.
- Lowers cholesterol — its roughly 90% unsaturated fat can reduce the chances of developing atherosclerosis and other heart diseases.
- Immune support — a study carried out in Taiwan in 2006 found that the bioactive saponins in the oil improve immune function, have antiviral action and strong antioxidant properties.
- And a less conventional use — in Japan camellia oil has long been used to clean and protect knives, swords, chisels and other fine tools from rust.
Side effects
Side effects from camellia oil are few and depend largely on the quality of the oil and how it was processed. Poor-quality oil can cause skin irritation and inflammation — try a small amount on the inside of the arm first. Because of its potassium content and blood-pressure-lowering effect, taking camellia oil internally together with blood pressure medication can lower pressure too much; talk to your doctor first.
How to choose camellia oil
Look for a known brand and read the label. Some sellers blend real camellia oil with cheaper filler oils, which can cause allergic reactions. The label should name the plant (Camellia oleifera or Camellia japonica seed oil) and, for skin and hair, ideally say cold-pressed. Most camellia oil in the world comes from China; Japanese tsubaki oil is made from Camellia japonica.
Include camellia oil in your morning and evening beauty ritual and discover the beauty secret of the geisha. You can find other natural oils for skin and hair in our Beauty & Body section.
Sources: Wikipedia — Tea seed oil; A critical review of the bioactive ingredients and biological functions of camellia oleifera oil (2024); Comparative study of Camellia oleifera seed oil from southern China (2024); Lipid characteristics of camellia seed oil; organicfacts.net; womansworld.com.
