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CO2 Extracts are natural essences extracted from plants for their therapeutic, healing and aromatic properties. Whether you are creating your own unique beauty product, or following one of our skin care recipes, the addition of our CO2 Extracts will offer a quick and effective way to make your product more appealing, while adding to its benefits.
Are extracted using carbon dioxide, the purest and most gentle way to remove the plant essence.
Are very concentrated and potent
Contain the fat- soluble and water-soluble constituents as well as the essential oils
Are gentle and free from heavy metals, microbes, solvents and preservatives
CO2 extraction is a safe, clean, and highly-versatile method of extracting plant botanicals. Extracting with CO2 means minimal extraction times, higher yields and lower energy consumption making it a more eco-friendly alternative to other industrial solvent extraction methods.
It is also a safer method of extraction as there are no flammable petrochemicals involved, removing the danger of explosions from the CO2 extraction process as well as potentially harmful petroleum-based butane particles from the final, very fine, concentrated botanical extract.
CO2 is nontoxic and the gasses used in the extraction processes do not contribute toward carbon emission increases in our atmosphere.
Using CO2 means that there no residual solvent left in the extract - just 100% plant goodness.
CO2 extraction is a technique that freezes and compresses carbon dioxide to its supercritical state, then passes the cold CO2 liquefied gas through the plant, pulling all of the essential oil-soluble and water-soluble elements out of the plant material and into collection receptacles. The method leaves no residue and produces a highly potent oil (CO2 oil) which can be used in a number of ways.
With special equipment, you can change CO2 gas into a liquid by increasing the pressure and keeping the temperature below -56°C. From here, the pressure and temperature of the CO2 is slowly increased. When you increase the temperature and pressure of liquid CO2, the fluid becomes supercritical, meaning it can adopt properties midway between a liquid and a gas simultaneously. It is this fluid/gas hybrid that is used as the solvent to extract all the lovely botanical compounds from our chosen plants.
Decreasing the pressure on the CO2 after the extraction process is complete allows the liquid CO2 molecules to turn back into a gas and evaporate into the atmosphere, leaving no residual CO2 left over in the extract. This is achieved simply by leaving the extract out at room temperature.
Our CO2 extracts can simply be added to oil-based or water-based products (though not purely water-based products as are they are oil-soluble and will not mix). Most (but not all) can be added without heating.
Because of their potency, they should only be used in a concentration of 1-2%. If you wish to combine two or more CO2 extracts in your product, make sure that their total concentration does not exceed 3% of the mixture. This is due to their strength and their synergising* effects. Each CO2 extract will also leave a trace colour in the product.
Some of our Botanical CO2 Extracts are solid at room temperature so have been mixed with Jojoba oil to make them easier to use. Some extracts are still prone to becoming more solid in colder temperatures. To resolve this, simply place the bottle of CO2 Extract into a mug or pan of warm-hot water for a few minutes until it is liquid.
SYNERGY =
when 2 or more elements together are more powerful than if they were used alone
Oils & Serums
Creams & Lotions
Balms & Butters
Facial Toners
If you want to use a CO2 Extract in a facial toner, mix it in equal parts with Emulsifan (polysorbate 20) before adding to the rest of the recipe.
Shampoos & Soaps
Shampoos and liquid soaps will tolerate a small amount of oil-based active ingredients. If you use too much you may see your CO2 Extracts separate in your final product.
Gels
Oil products will be held in suspension in a gel so try not to use too much. You may see little droplets of CO2 Extract in your gel.
To personalise your product, simply select the CO2 extract you wish to use, depending on the desired result. Different CO2 Extracts have different benefits, for example:
Great for sore or cracked skin as it’s known for its healing abilities
It’s superb for dry, irritated, itchy, sensitive and/or tired-looking skin.
Helps boost skin cell renewal, promoting supple, healthy skin.
As a former midwife, my interest is in making oil blends and balms for pregnant women and babies. Are the co2 extracts safe to use in pregnancy. Should I assume that if the essential oil is safe, then the same CO2 will be safe too. I’m preparing a balm to to soothe nipple trauma in breastfeeding women, will CO2 extracts be safe to use or should it be removed before baby is placed at the breast, Thank you
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Aromantic Team
June 04, 2020
Thank you for your enquiry.
Please see the below response from our Research and Development team;
“This is potentially very dangerous because you are recommending using cosmetic raw materials as, effectively, a food supplement (if the product is on the nipple when the baby feeds, the baby is ingesting the product).
It is not something that we cannot advise on as we sell materials for cosmetic use only. Even if you wipe the product off before feeding, there will be some residual product there. It is something that you would be best to check with your former professional body for clarity."