Japan Ingredient Sourcing
Raw material / 原材料Cosmetic raw materials

Tsubaki / Camellia Oil

椿油 (Tsubaki abura)

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Why source from Japan

Camellia oil is a cold-pressed or solvent-refined plant oil extracted from the seeds of Camellia japonica, a species native to Japan, Korea, and southern China.

Key spec

INCI Camellia Japonica Seed Oil; MOQ from 5–20 kg.

Typical end-product

Hair oil and leave-in treatment — Japanese heritage hair-care category — tsubaki oil is the most-recognized Japanese hair-care heritage ingredient, with continuous documented use spanning centuries and a long-running drugstore line that has kept the category mass-market.

At a glance

Suppliers listed
3 suppliers
Typical MOQ
5–20 kg
Typical lead time
4–8 weeks
Regions of origin
Goto Islands (Nagasaki), Izu Oshima (Tokyo), Kyushu (Kumamoto / Oita)
Category
Cosmetic raw materials
Harvest season
October – December
Japan regulatory status
Listed in JSCI labeling name dictionary; permitted cosmetic ingredient
INCI name
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Japanese name
椿油
Romaji
Tsubaki abura

About this ingredient

Camellia oil is a cold-pressed or solvent-refined plant oil extracted from the seeds of Camellia japonica, a species native to Japan, Korea, and southern China. Used in Japan for over a thousand years for hair and skin care. Traditional production centers include the Goto Islands in Nagasaki and Izu Oshima off Tokyo. Rich in oleic acid with a light, non-greasy feel.

Regulatory status

JapanListed in JSCI labeling name dictionary; permitted cosmetic ingredient
EUCosIng listed
United StatesINCI recognized; MoCRA cosmetic facility registration applies for imports
ChinaIECIC listed (verify current edition)

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. What MOQ and lead time should cosmetic buyers expect for Japanese camellia oil?

Supplier-disclosed industry ranges are typically 5–20 kg for cosmetic-grade Camellia japonica seed oil with 4–8 week lead times. Harvest is concentrated in October–December and small-island production (Izu Oshima, Goto) has tight annual capacity, so allocation is generally to standing accounts. Refined and unrefined grades are usually quoted separately.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. Are cold-pressed and refined grades formulation-interchangeable?

Not directly. Cold-pressed (unrefined) tsubaki oil retains a faint nutty aroma and slight color, suited to natural-positioning hair and face oils where the heritage story is part of the claim. Refined grades have a near-neutral aroma and lighter color and are used in formulations where the oil is one component of a complex blend or where fragrance neutrality matters. Oxidative stability is broadly similar due to the high oleic content; tocopherol fortification is common in finished products.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. Is single-origin (Goto Islands or Izu Oshima) certification available?

Specific producers issue origin certificates declaring island-of-harvest, with Izu Oshima (operated by long-established refiners since the early 20th century) and the Goto Islands in Nagasaki being the two best-documented single-origin sources. Buyers seeking heritage-positioning material should request origin documentation at RFQ; expect smaller MOQ ceilings and longer allocation queues for verified single-island lots.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Use cases

  • Hair oil and leave-in treatment

    Positioning
    Japanese heritage hair-care category — tsubaki oil is the most-recognized Japanese hair-care heritage ingredient, with continuous documented use spanning centuries and a long-running drugstore line that has kept the category mass-market.
    Typical usage level
    Up to 100% in pure-oil format; 1–10% in conditioner / leave-in blends
    Formulation notes
    High oleic content gives the oil a relatively light, dry feel for a vegetable oil; pairs well with silicone alternatives in 'natural' formulations.

    Sources

  • Face oil / facial massage oil

    Positioning
    Single-ingredient or blend hero — premium and natural-positioning skincare lines use tsubaki oil as a single-ingredient face oil or blended with squalane and rosehip oil for daily-use formats.
    Typical usage level
    Up to 100% pure; 5–30% in oil blends

    Sources

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Lip care balm and lip oil

    Positioning
    Functional emollient with heritage story — high oleic content and oxidative stability make it well suited to lip products; used both as the primary emollient and in blend with beeswax and shea butter.
    Typical usage level
    5–40% in lip balm formulations

    Sources

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

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Information shown — including company details, product descriptions, regions of origin, minimum order quantities, lead times, certifications, and regulatory references — is compiled primarily from publicly available sources and manufacturer websites. Specifications change without notice; buyers are expected to verify current specifications, pricing, certification status, and regulatory compliance directly with each manufacturer before placing orders or signing contracts.

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Last updated: 2026-04-24

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