Cosmetics · Oils & lipids

Camellia Sasanqua Seed Oil

サザンカ油 (Sazanka-yu)

Also known as: Sasanqua Oil

At a glance

CategoryCosmetics
INCI nameCamellia Sasanqua Seed Oil
Japanese labeling nameサザンカ油
Common Japanese notationsサザンカ油, 山茶花油
OriginPlant-derived (Camellia sasanqua seeds)
Typical functionsEmollient, Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Regulatory status in JapanCosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary.

Sasanqua oil, pressed from the seeds of Camellia sasanqua, is a closely related oil to tsubaki (Camellia japonica) oil. The two are often used interchangeably in product applications but have subtly different fatty-acid profiles and supply patterns, with sasanqua historically more associated with regional producers in western Japan.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Hair oils and treatments
  • Face oils and massage oils
  • Lip care

What it is

Camellia sasanqua seed oil is cold-pressed or solvent-extracted from mature Camellia sasanqua seeds. The fatty acid profile is dominated by oleic acid, similar to tsubaki oil, with variations in minor component proportions.

The two Camellia oils (sasanqua and japonica) are distinct ingredients on the INCI register and should not be treated as interchangeable on labels, even though many of their cosmetic functions are similar.

Typical uses in Japanese products

In cosmetics, sasanqua oil is used in hair oils, face oils, massage oils, and lip products — typically in applications that parallel tsubaki oil use.

As a culinary oil, sasanqua seed oil has a smaller but established presence in Japanese specialty food markets, regulated separately under food law.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUListed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use.
USAINCI recognized by PCPC.
ChinaPermitted per IECIC listings.
KoreaPermitted under KFDA / MFDS.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Related ingredients

References

  1. JSCI labeling name directory — サザンカ油
  2. EU CosIng entry: Camellia Sasanqua Seed Oil

Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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