Composition: Macadamia nut oil is from the kernel meat of the nut fruit of the macadamia tree, macadamia ternifolia. (Reference one [R1], Macadamia nut oil 188, n.d.) Among the composition of the Macadamia nut’s flesh is its oil content, which is typically between 65-75%, (Reference two [R2], Macadamia nut recipes macadamia nut oil, n.d.) and other solids like fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other components. (Reference three [R3], Nut facts macadamias, n.d.) (Reference four [R4], Boyle et al., n.d.) The oil comes from solvent extraction or by mechanically pressing the nut and filtering out any solid particles from the oil.

The oil’s chemical composition is composed of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). (Reference five [R5], Macadamia oil, n.d.) Other components in the oil include: tocopherols, phytosterols, squalane, triacylglycerols, minerals, other plant components, and minor components. (Reference six [R6], Shuai et al., 2021) Lipids like monounsaturated fatty acids (mostly oleic acid and palmitoleic acid) make up the oil at a generally confirmed composition of 65-85%. In the oil, oleic acid finds a higher concentration than palmitoleic acid. Oleic acid is typically determined at 50-66% while palmitoleic acid is typically determined at 13-28%. (R6) (Reference seven [R7], Macadamia nut oil, n.d.) (Reference eight [R8], Macadamia, n.d.)

Depending on its origin and manufacture, Macadamia nut oil can contain different levels of its smaller components (SFAs, PUFAs, tocopherols, phytosterols, squalane, triacylglycerols, and minerals) and can be affected by variables such as the levels of antioxidant(s) in the oil. (R6)

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Other common names: Macadamia integrifolia, macadamia tetraphylla, macadamia integrifolia tetraphylla seed oil (INCI), macadamia ternifolia seed oil

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Function: Emollient, conditioning, occlusive

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​EWG Skin Deep rating: 1 data-limited

PubChem GHS classification: primary hazards-none

EPA Safer Chemical rating: green circle

CIR Expert Panel report: safe

About the scores​

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Date created: May 29, 2026

Date updated: