Bitter Gourd Seed Oil | Karela, Kakarakaya

Bitter Gourd Seed Oil is a cold-pressed seed oil, notable for conjugated linolenic acid at 50–65% — a rare fatty acid class found in few commercial oils. The conjugated double bonds make it oxidation-sensitive; formulate with an antioxidant system.

• Also known as: Bitter Gourd Seed Oil, Bitter Melon Oil, Karela Seed Oil, Momordica Oil
• Botanical name: Momordica charantia
• Plant part used: Seed
• INCI name: No common ingredient name listed in the EU glossary (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/677)
• Extraction: Cold-pressed, Unrefined (virgin)
• Form: Carrier oil (liquid)
• Appearance: Pale yellow to greenish; Mild, slightly bitter-herbaceous
• Grade: Cosmetic-grade
• Origin: India
• Shelf-life: 12–18 months · below 20 °C · tightly sealed · away from light

Key benefits

• Conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA / α-eleostearic) (50–65%) — Unusual conjugated fatty acid — antioxidant; subject of ongoing research interest
• Oleic acid (C18:1) (10–20%) — Emollient, skin penetration
• Palmitic acid (C16:0) (5–12%) — Skin conditioning
• Stearic acid (C18:0) (3–8%) — Emulsification support

How to use

• 2–10% in emulsions
• 10–30% in facial oil serums
• 50–100% as standalone carrier or massage base
• Common applications: skin-conditioning formulations, blemish-prone skin formulations and research-grade cosmetic applications.

FAQs

What are the primary formulation applications of Bitter Gourd Seed Oil?
Most buyers use it at 2–10% in emulsions; 10–30% in facial oil serums; 50–100% as standalone carrier or massage base. As with any new carrier oil, pilot-test in your specific base before committing to a full production run.

Explore more

Herbuno's global export listing for this oil → · HerbIQ: Botanical Anatomy → · Carrier Oils