ByAliaYou probably heard some, if not all of these terms and it can get a little confusing… Let’s clarify!
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Refers to an ingredient being unprocessed, untreated or crude – having not been processed to remove all of the ‘impurities’ or ‘elements’.
Unrefined oils are either cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, which means they are minimally processed using mechanical extraction (pressure) and low-temperature controlled conditions to extract the oil from the seed, nut, etc. The phytonutrient-rich oil is then fine-filtered using a screen, to remove any significant solids or undesired impurities from the oil. No chemical solvents, no high-heat temperatures, and no further refining to alter the condition (colour, scent) of the oil.
In cold-pressing, the temperatures are controlled at 80-90°F (26-32°C), which is actually not a ‘cold’ temperature processing as you would expect, but rather low-heat. In expeller-pressing, the oil is extracted from the seed or nut using mechanical pressure along with heat (usually from friction created during the pressing), at approximately 120-200°F (49-93°C). Although cold pressing produces heat through friction, the seeds are not precooked in contrast to large scale solvent extraction and refining operations. They are trans-fat free and retain all their flavour, aroma, and nutritional value.
This refers to an ingredient that is unrefined and also pure, meaning there is only one type of oil in the mix. In the case of virgin olive oil, it also must have an acidity of less than 2%. In order to be labelled as extra virgin, the acidity level is no more than 0.8%.
This can have many meanings depending on the context, in terms of hair and skincare it refers to ingredients that were produced using farming methods without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals. Which other terms do you find confusing? Comment below which other terms or lingo in the natural hair and skincare community you want us to clarify!
