Cold-pressed oil is a skincare product popular with those who are fond of natural ingredients and trust in botanical power to nurture their skin with no additives needed.

But, did you know that nourishing your skin with cold-pressed oil is in fact not a new trend, but one that has been around for thousands of years? The use of pure ingredients encourages healthy skin and avoids skin irritation. Below, we will teach you more about cold-pressed oil.

Cold-Pressed Oil vs Hot-Pressed Oil

Typically, oils that we are very familiar with, like cooking oils or general skincare oils sold in markets, are the product of “hot-pressed” processing. This process involves pressing the raw materials at a high-temperature to separate the compositions, then the oil layer on top is collected to be used. Although it is a quick and convenient method and meets the needs of industrial production, the products lose some of their nutritional value and properties like the aroma of the oil during the high-temperature pressing.

On the other hand, the process for creating cold-pressed oil involves extracting oil from different parts of plants such as the seed, leaf, peel, bulb, flower, or stem, without heat or refinement required.

Get to Know the Process of Making Cold-Pressed Oil

The cold-pressed process is a traditional method of extracting oil that has been used since the Indus Valley Civilization in 3000 B.C. During this era, they used a cylindrical tool called a “Ghani”, made of wood or large stone, to compress the oilseeds in order to yield the oil before setting it aside, allowing the components to naturally separate in layers.

As the world evolves, the process of cold-pressed oil extraction has developed to become more convenient, clean and hygienic. However, the principle of the process remains the same, which is to use a tool to compress the raw materials at room temperature, then leave them to precipitate, and collect the separated oil layer. The whole process is done without heat or any chemicals.

Why “Cold-Pressed” Is Best

1: All Beneficial Compounds are Retained

Typically, some vitamins get destroyed when exposed to heat. That is why eating fresh fruit and vegetables is more nutritious than eating cooked or processed ones. The same goes for extracting skincare oils. As cold-pressed extraction is done at room temperature with no heat exposure, the nutritional values, vitamins and antioxidants in the oil are not yet destroyed.

2: Pure and Unrefined

Cold-pressed processing is free from added colors, aromas and preservatives. Therefore, you can be assured of its purity. If the oil is extracted from organic plants, there is no need to worry about chemical residues that may harm your skin, plus, it comes with natural color and aroma too!

3: Suitable for Your Face and Body

As cold-pressed skincare oils are clean, pure, gentle and free from harmful chemicals, you can buy just one and then use it to nourish your face and body, as well as your hair and nails. You do not need separate skincare oils for your face and body, one will provide rich nourishment for your whole body.

How to Choose Quality Cold-Pressed Oil 

Nowadays, there are plenty of skincare oils for you to choose from. Some products are clearly labeled “cold-pressed”, while others do not say exactly which extraction process they undergo. 

Here’s how to check if the oil is cold-pressed:

1. The manufacturer uses non-thermal extraction. Therefore, the oil should retain its natural scent, with no additives that give an unusual added aroma.

2. It has a natural color, such as a golden yellow or natural clear color depending on what kind of plants are extracted. The color should not be processed or bleached.

3. Cold-pressed oil must be contained in standardized packaging and maintain its quality even after opening. The packaging should prevent oxidation with the air or sunlight which can make the oil rancid.

4. Normally, natural skincare products expire quicker than regular ones. This is because they are preservative-free and do not undergo processing methods to prolong the product’s life. So don’t panic if you find natural products with a short expiry date.