Ojon Oil in Cosmetics: A Plant Oil with New Potential

Ojon oil is currently evolving from a traditional vegetable oil into an exciting, trending ingredient for modern cosmetics. It is extracted from the American oil palm Elaeis oleifera, which is native to Central and South America. The oil is particularly closely associated with the La Moskitia region in Honduras and the traditional hair and body care rituals of the Miskito people who live there.

For cosmetics developers, however, it is not just this extraordinary origin story that is of interest. Depending on the extraction and processing methods, very different raw material qualities result—ranging from a rich, semi-solid butter to a light, fractionated oil. This is precisely where a key difference lies compared to many other trending oils.

What is Ojon oil?

For the commercial grades of this raw material available to us, the INCI name is consistently Elaeis Oleifera Kernel Oil. The oil is thus extracted from the kernel of the fruit of the American oil palm.

This should be distinguished from Elaeis Oleifera Fruit Oil, which is extracted from the fruit pulp. This distinction is important because, despite coming from the same plant species, kernel oil and fruit oil are not automatically chemically identical.

Especially with this raw material, one should therefore not rely solely on the trade name. The specific INCI designation, the part of the plant used, the extraction method, the processing, and the analytical specifications are all crucial.

Tradition from La Moskitia

The use of this oil is closely associated with the Miskito people in the Honduran region of La Moskitia. One raw material supplier describes the Miskito—or “Tawira”—as the “People of Beautiful Hair” and highlights the oil’s use for hair and skin, a tradition passed down through generations. Another supplier data sheet also describes the traditional use of the oil in La Moskitia for hair and body care.

This ethnobotanical history provides an exceptional foundation for modern beauty storytelling. However, traditional use should not be equated with clinically proven efficacy.

Ojon Oil versus Conventional Palm Oil

Both oils come from oil palms, but from different species. Conventional palm oil is primarily extracted from the pulp of Elaeis guineensis. The American oil palm, on the other hand, belongs to the species Elaeis oleifera.

Characteristic	Batana / American oil palm	Traditional palm oil
Botanical species	Elaeis oleifera	Elaeis guineensis
Origin	Central and South America	originally West Africa
Cosmetic INCI names of the Batana raw materials listed here	Elaeis oleifera kernel oil	mostly Elaeis guineensis oil
Market positioning	Specialty/premium oil	Global base raw material
Production	Partly traditional small-scale production or specialized processes	Predominantly large-scale industrial production
Product Characteristics	Solid to slightly fluid, depending on processing	Depends on fraction and refining
Cosmetic positioning	Hair Repair, Scalp Care, Premium Skin Care	Base lipid, emollient, and raw material for numerous derivatives

The difference should not be reduced to the notion that one oil is “good” and the other is “cheap.” Conventional palm oil possesses outstanding technological properties and is, for this very reason, one of the most important vegetable oil raw materials of all.

The unique potential of Elaeis oleifera lies rather in a different combination of origin, composition, traditional use, processing, and premium positioning.

What does science say about the American oil palm?

The oil from the pulp of Elaeis oleifera has been particularly well studied. A recent study found approximately 54.7–55.7% oleic acid, 23.7–24.2% palmitic acid, and 15.5–17.0% linoleic acid. In addition, carotenoids and tocotrienols were detected.

Other studies also confirm interesting levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols in Elaeis oleifera.

However, scientific precision is required here: These analytical data are derived primarily from studies of the fruit oil and must not be applied uncritically to commercial Elaeis oleifera kernel oil.

For cosmetic development, therefore, the actual fatty acid profile and the specifications of the specific raw material batch used should always serve as the basis.

Not all ojon oil is the same

This raw material becomes particularly interesting when comparing different commercial grades.

One grade is described as a soft, semi-solid paste at 20 °C with a melting range of 35–45 °C. Color and a characteristic natural odor are part of the raw material’s natural profile.

Another grade, by contrast, is a greenish-brown to amber-brown liquid. Specified values include an iodine value of 90–120, a saponification value of 175–210 mg KOH/g, and a peroxide value below 10 meq O₂/kg.

For formulators, this means that two raw materials may appear identical on the INCI list but still behave very differently in a formulation.

Particularly exciting: fractionated grades

Another option is targeted fractionation. According to the supplier, the kernels for this BCR grade are first gently cold-pressed. Subsequently, a lighter, liquid fraction is isolated through fractionation, which, according to the manufacturer, is particularly rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The goal is an oil that absorbs more quickly with a less heavy or greasy texture.

This opens up entirely new possibilities in cosmetics.

The classic semi-solid grade, for example, is ideal for rich hair butters and balms. A light fractionated grade, on the other hand, can also be suitable for serums, leave-in treatments, and modern facial products.

The INCI alone, therefore, does not reveal what sensory experience the consumer will ultimately have.

Interesting Cosmetic Properties

Ojon oil (also known as Batana oil) is primarily marketed by suppliers for hair, scalp, and skin care. They highlight its emollient properties, lipid replenishment, and conditioning effects on skin and hair, as well as its use in products for dry and damaged hair. One supplier, for example, recommends the raw material for face creams, facial oils, body lotions, hand creams, hair oils, conditioners, and hair masks.

Another supplier even positions a fractionated grade for skin care, body care, sun care, hair care, and color cosmetics.

From a product development perspective, the following applications are particularly interesting:

• Care and conditioning of dry hair lengths and ends
• Improvement of suppleness and shine
• Rich care for curly and highly textured hair
• Scalp care concepts for dry scalps
• Lipid-rich skin care
• Water-free balms and oils
• Premium products with an ethnobotanical story

Caution regarding hair growth claims

In international raw material marketing, some claims go significantly further. One supplier, for example, refers to “hair growth,” the reversal of “hair loss,” and effects on scars and stretch marks. Another supplier mentions, among other things, antioxidant properties, support for the skin barrier, and improvement of the hair fiber.

Such statements about raw materials should not be adopted unchecked as claims for a finished cosmetic product.

In particular, claims regarding hair loss prevention or new hair growth can be problematic from a regulatory standpoint and require very careful evaluation as well as appropriate evidence of efficacy.

More appealing cosmetic messaging focuses on nourishing, conditioning, anti-breakage, shine, scalp care, and hair repair.

Formulation tip: from 1% to pure oil

There are also interesting differences in the concentration of use. For a liquid grade, the supplier specifies a very broad usage range of 1 to 100%.

For the fractionated BCR grade, however, 1–5% is recommended.

This allows Ojon oil to be integrated into the product concept in a variety of ways: as a complementary premium oil within a complex active ingredient formulation, as the dominant lipid in a hair butter, or even as a nearly pure oil treatment.

The ideal usage concentration depends in particular on raw material quality, product type, desired sensory profile, stability, and marketing positioning.

1. Ojon Glossing Hair Milk

An ultra-light, milky leave-in treatment for lengths and ends that imparts shine and smoothness without having the character of a classic hair oil.

A fractionated Ojon grade could be combined with panthenol, betaine, a lightweight conditioning system, and film-forming polysaccharides.

Concept: Weightless nourishment meets tropical hair ritual.

2. Ojon Bond & Lipid Repair Treatment

A modern hair repair concept that combines two current care strategies: Bond Care + Lipid Replacement.

Ojon oil provides the lipid component, while a suitable bonding system, amino acids, or peptides round out the formulation. The product could be positioned as an intensive 5-minute treatment following coloring, bleaching, or exposure to high heat.

Concept: Not just conditioning—but holistically treating damaged hair.

3. Ojon Scalp Cleansing Balm

A rather unusual product: a water-free or emulsifying pre-shampoo scalp balm that is massaged into the scalp before shampooing and then emulsified with water and rinsed out.

Ojon oil could be combined with light esters and a mild emulsifier system. In addition, ingredients such as bisabolol or selected scalp-care actives would be of interest.

This would combine scalp care + cleansing balm + traditional oil ritual.

4. Ojon Anti-Frizz Humidity Shield

Instead of yet another classic hair care product, ojon oil could become a component of a modern anti-frizz and humidity-control product.

The formulation could combine lipid care with film-forming polymers and be designed as a light cream-to-serum texture.

The goal would be less flyaway hair, a smoother appearance, and more shine—particularly beneficial for curly, porous, and color-damaged hair.

Concept: Tropical Oil meets High-Tech Anti-Frizz.

5. Ojon Melt-to-Oil Cleansing Balm

Here, we’re moving completely away from hair care: a solid facial cleanser that melts into a silky oil when applied and transforms into a milk upon contact with water.

The natural color and unique character of a traditional Ojon product could even become part of the sensory concept.

With squalane, mild emulsifiers, and other plant-based lipids, this could be developed into an exceptionally high-quality premium cleansing ritual.

6. Ojon Solid Hair Serum Stick

This would be my favorite if the product is meant to generate attention.

A solid, water-free hair serum stick for dry ends, frizz, and stray hairs. The stick is applied directly to the ends or surface of the hair, releasing only a small amount of lipids.

Ojon oil could be combined with light esters, plant waxes, and suitable texturizing agents.

The format would be compact, water-free, and ideal for a purse or travel. At the same time, it would stand out visually from the countless pipette-style hair oils.

Concept: Hair Repair to go.

What should you look for when purchasing?

Precisely because batana is currently becoming an increasingly trendy ingredient, brands and developers shouldn’t simply purchase just any raw material with the corresponding trade name.

Key factors include:

• correct botanical name and INCI
• Kernel Oil or Fruit Oil?
• Origin and traceability
• traditional extraction, pressing, or fractionation?
• refined or unrefined?
• fatty acid profile
• acid value
• peroxide value
• iodine value
• color and natural odor
• physical state at room temperature
• Oxidation stability
• Microbiological quality
• Batch consistency
• Recommended usage concentration
• Complete regulatory documentation

Storage and oxidation protection should also be taken into account. For example, two of the available grades have a maximum peroxide value of 10 meq O₂/kg.

For sophisticated formulations, adding a suitable antioxidant stabilizer may also be advisable.

Conclusion: More Than Just the Latest Social Media Trend

Ojon oil has something that many short-lived trend ingredients lack: an unusual origin story, a long history of traditional use, and, at the same time, exciting possibilities for modern cosmetic formulations.

Particularly exciting is the variety of available raw material grades. Traditional semi-solid variants can serve as the basis for luxurious hair butters and treatments, while modern fractionated variants enable the creation of lightweight hair oils, serums, leave-ins, and even skincare formulations.

The raw material should therefore not simply be viewed as “exotic palm oil.”

A much more interesting question is:

How do you translate a traditional Central American care ritual into a modern, scientifically sound cosmetic product?

This is precisely where the real market potential likely lies.

From the raw material concept to a market-ready product

Cosmacon GmbH develops customized cosmetic products from the initial concept through raw material selection and formulation development to stability testing, safety assessment, and regulatory market launch.

Especially with trending raw materials, we can compare different qualities, determine appropriate concentrations for use, and develop a standalone product from them, rather than simply incorporating a current raw material into an existing formula.

Those who want to get started faster and with less development effort can draw on an extensive white-label portfolio through Tojo Cosmetics. Existing hair masks, hair oils, scalp treatments, leave-ins, balms, or skincare products can serve as interesting starting points for new product concepts.

Ideally, a strong raw material story leads to what ultimately matters in the market: a standalone product with compelling sensory qualities, a compelling narrative, and robust cosmetic performance.

Sources

Antoniassi R. et al. (2025): Bioactive compounds and composition of Elaeis oleifera mesocarp oil extracted by hydraulic pressing. Grasas y Aceites. DOI: 10.3989/gya.0646241.2194. Analysis of the fatty acid profile, carotenoids, and tocotrienols in the mesocarp/fruit oil of Elaeis oleifera.

Alhaji M.H. et al. (2024): Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis): A Journey through Sustainability, Processing, and Utilization.Foods, 13(17), 2814. DOI: 10.3390/foods13172814. Review article covering, among other topics, the composition and differences among various oil palm species.

Costa P.A. et al. (2017): Tocopherols, Tocomonoenols, and Tocotrienols in Oils of Costa Rican Palm Fruits: A Comparison between Six Varieties and Chemical versus Mechanical Extraction. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Study of vitamin E compounds in various palm genotypes.

Sundram K., Sambanthamurthi R., Tan Y.A. (2003): Palm fruit chemistry and nutrition. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 12(3), 355–362. Overview of fatty acids and natural fat-associated compounds in various palm oils.

Supplier Information: Technical Data Sheet Batana Oil (Liquid), Suzhou Greenway Biotech Co., Ltd. – INCI, specifications, physicochemical parameters, applications, and usage concentrations.

Raw Material Information: Technical Data Sheet Batana Oil, Grand Ingredients – traditional processing, physical properties, and cosmetic positioning.

Supplier Information: Batana Oil BCR, Bio Component Research – origin, cold pressing, fractionation, cosmetic properties, and formulation recommendations.