The Quiet Science of Living Oil
A remarkably pure facial oil, pressed from squalene-rich amaranth, made to nourish, replenish, and protect.
FACE OIL
$75 / 15 mL
Exceptionally pure amaranth oil derived from the seeds of heirloom flowers, combined with botanical extracts selected to enhance amaranth oil’s healing properties.
Exceptionally pure, squalene-rich amaranth oil derived from the seeds of heirloom flowers, combined with trace amounts of botanical extracts demonstrated to enhance amaranth oil’s healing properties.
The Science
Naturally lightweight and non-comedogenic, amaranth oil is especially rich in squalene, antioxidants, and protective lipids.
We finish our highly purified oil with traces of rare botanical extracts, selected for their ability to increase the oil’s activity in peer-reviewed lab studies.
Active Compounds:
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Amaranth has the highest concentration of squalene of any plant. Squalene is a remarkable lipid naturally present in our skin that helps maintain its protective barrier, yet squalene production peaks when we are in our teens and early twenties, and then declines significantly every decade after that.
Squalene is also increasingly understood as creating biological conditions unfavorable to cancer. Its abundance in sharks - animals in which remarkably little cancer has been observed - has inspired decades of research into a possible connection.
Squalene not only has beneficial properties of its own, it can also enhance the activity of other compounds. For example, in modern medicine squalene is added to vaccines to strengthen the body’s immune response.
When preserved in its native form within fresh, cold-pressed amaranth oil, squalene remains stable and active, retaining its full protective power in a way that the hydrogenated form (called squalane) does not.
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Amaranth oil contains up to 55% linoleic acid (omega-6), an essential fatty acid the body cannot produce on its own. It plays a key role in supporting the skin’s barrier lipids and is also associated with helping reduce congestion and breakouts, making it especially valued for acne-prone skin.
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Amaranth oil contains up to 25% oleic acid (omega-9), a monounsaturated fatty acid that supports the skin’s lipid structure and helps enhance the absorption of other beneficial compounds. It has also been studied for potential anti-cancer properties, particularly in relation to its role in cell signaling and resistance to oxidative stress.
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Amaranth oil contains ~15% palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid that contributes to the skin’s structural lipids and helps maintain a stable, protective surface layer. It has also been studied for its role in cellular signaling and energy metabolism, with ongoing research into how it may influence cell growth and stress responses.
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Amaranth oil contains ~3% phytosterols, a group of plant-derived compounds that help support the skin’s barrier structure and overall balance. They have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties, particularly in how they interact with cell membranes and modulate cellular signaling.
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Amaranth oil contains ~1% tocopherols (vitamin E compounds), a group of natural antioxidants that help support the stability of the oil and the skin’s lipid environment. They are also studied for their role in protecting against oxidative stress and their potential anti-cancer properties through their influence on cellular integrity and free radical balance.
Our Preparation
We use single source amaranth seeds harvested from heirloom flowers.
Prepared in very small batches, we focus on preserving and enriching the oil’s active compounds.
No plastics, solvents, or chemicals of any kind are used at any stage of preparation.
Throughout the process, the oil is carefully protected from heat, oxidation, and UV light to preserve its delicate composition.
Application
Our face oil is exceptionally light in texture, yet carries a rich concentration of active ingredients.
The skin is protected and hydrated with an essential lipid (squalene) that is lost as we age. Squalene is also known for its ability to enhance the activity of other compounds, making our oil a natural companion to serums and treatments already in your ritual.
Just 2-3 drops are typically sufficient, morning and evening, either before or after other treatments.
Warm gently between the fingertips and press into the skin, focusing on areas prone to dryness or visible stress.
Users also report excellent results on dry or damaged skin of the décolletage and hands.