What it is
In the register’s words: “Elaeis Oleifera Kernel Oil is the oil expressed from the kernel of the Palmoil Tree, Elaeis guineensis, Palmaceae.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- ELAEIS OLEIFERA KERNEL OIL
- CAS number
- 8002-75-3
- EC number
- 232-316-1
Labels often add a second name in brackets, so a label may say Elaeis Oleifera (Batana) Kernel Oil where the register says ELAEIS OLEIFERA KERNEL OIL. Both are the same ingredient.
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Elaeis Oleifera (Batana) Kernel Oil in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Hair conditioning
-
The register’s hair role for ingredients that make hair feel softer, smoother or easier to comb. Most conditioners, masks and leave-ins list several.
Register definition: “Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.”
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Shampoo Shampoo 8th of 31 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Mask Deep conditioner 9th of 26 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 12th of 37 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Curl Cream Styler 8th of 30 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other hair conditioning ingredients on these labels
- Glycerin 131 labels
- Panthenol 72 labels
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil 69 labels
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate 38 labels
- Caprylyl Glycol 37 labels
- Behentrimonium Chloride 34 labels
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine 34 labels
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil 34 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.