Apricot extract, or apricot kernel oil, is extracted from the inside of dried apricot kernels. Because the kernels are cold-pressed, the oil retains high levels of natural ingredients, which can then be found in a wide variety of products and applications. Refined oil, on the other hand, loses valuable active ingredients but can therefore be stored for longer.
There are basically two types of apricots: wild and cultivated apricots. The kernels of the two varieties differ greatly. The kernels of wild apricots are smaller and more compact than those of cultivated apricots. They also differ in taste. The wild varieties taste bitter, while the domesticated varieties are sweet.
The kernels contain the active ingredient amygdalin and small amounts of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). As is the case with apricot kernel oil and other stone fruit kernels, the amounts of amygdalin (hydrogen cyanide) and cyanide in cosmetics are negligible, so there is no need to worry about any health risks.
The oil contains various health-promoting active ingredients that are not only found in beauty products, but also in naturopathy and cooking.
In addition to traces of vitamins A and B, it also contains niacin (a B-complex vitamin). The oil also contains triglycerides and traces of fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and palmitoleic acid.
The oil components of apricot extract are crucial for beauty products such as ointments, creams, and shampoos. They nourish and regenerate the skin, slowing the effects of skin aging.