Open the ingredient list of a light face oil, a baby oil or a massage blend and there is a good chance you will find Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil near the top. Apricot kernel oil is pale, mild in smell and quick to spread, and it does most of what sweet almond oil does with a lighter feel. That makes it one of the workhorse carrier oils of the cosmetics trade.
It is also an oil that looks simple and isn't quite. There are two grades with different colour, smell and shelf life. The kernels it comes from contain amygdalin, which matters for food use. And it shares its raw material with a very different product, bitter almond oil.
This guide covers Apricot Kernel Oil from IndoOils: what it is, how it is made, what is inside it, which tests matter, which rules apply, where it is used and how to order it in bulk.
What Apricot Kernel Oil Is
The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a stone fruit, a close relative of the almond, peach and plum. Inside each apricot stone is a single kernel that looks like a small almond. The kernel is about 40 to 50 per cent oil.
Apricot kernel oil is the fixed oil pressed from those kernels. "Fixed" means it does not evaporate: it is a vegetable oil made of triglycerides, like olive or sunflower oil, not an essential oil. In the trade it is also called apricot oil, apricot seed oil, khubani oil in India, and, in older pharmacy books, persic oil (a name that covered peach kernel oil as well).
Most of the world's apricots, and so most of its kernels, come from Turkey, especially the Malatya region, followed by Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan. Apricot kernels are a by-product: the fruit is dried or processed, and the stones are collected, cracked and sold on to oil pressers. India has its own small tradition of wild apricot kernel oil in the Himalayan valleys, but bulk cosmetic supply is mostly Turkish.
Product identifiers
- Product: Apricot Kernel Oil (Cold Pressed Carrier Oil)
- Botanical name: Prunus armeniaca
- INCI name: Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
- CAS numbers: 72869-69-3 and 68650-44-2 (both are used on supplier documents)
- EC (EINECS) number: 272-046-1
- HSN code: 15159099
- SKU: INDO-101
- Plant part: Kernels
- Extraction method: Cold pressed (virgin); refined on request
- Main fatty acids: Oleic acid 55–70 %, linoleic acid 20–35 %
- Origin: Turkey, stated per lot
- Shelf life: About 18 months for cold-pressed oil, 24 months for refined, unopened
Virgin, Refined, or Not This Oil at All
An enquiry for "apricot oil" can mean three different things, so be precise:
- Cold-pressed (virgin) apricot kernel oil is pressed at low temperature and only settled and filtered. It is light yellow, with a soft, sweet, nutty smell, and keeps the natural tocopherols of the kernel. Brands that market "cold pressed" or "virgin" on the label need this grade. This is the oil IndoOils supplies as standard.
- Refined apricot kernel oil has been bleached and deodorised after pressing. It is clear, pale and almost odourless, and keeps a little longer. Formulators choose it when a product must stay colourless and scent-neutral, or when a fragrance has to sit on top of the base without interference. We supply it on request.
- Bitter apricot oil is not a carrier oil at all. It is an essential oil distilled from the press cake left after the fixed oil is removed, and it is almost pure benzaldehyde with a strong marzipan smell. It is sold as bitter almond oil; our bitter almond oil buyer's guide covers it.
The closest relative on the shelf is Sweet Almond Carrier Oil. Both oils are high in oleic acid and very similar in use. Apricot kernel oil is usually described as lighter and quicker to absorb, and, because apricot is a stone fruit rather than a tree nut, some brands prefer it for products where they want to avoid "nut oil" on the label.
How Apricot Kernel Oil Is Made
The process is short, and every step affects quality:
- Stones. Apricot stones are collected after the fruit is dried, canned or juiced, then dried so they store without mould.
- Cracking. The stones are cracked mechanically and the kernels separated from the shells. Kernels are cleaned and sorted; sweet and bitter kernels may be graded apart.
- Pressing. The kernels are pressed in an expeller. For cold-pressed oil, the temperature is kept low so the oil keeps its colour, smell and tocopherols. The pressed cake still holds the kernel's amygdalin, which is water-soluble and stays mostly out of the oil.
- Clarifying. The oil is settled and filtered. At this point it is virgin oil.
- Refining (optional). For refined oil, the oil is degummed, neutralised, bleached and deodorised. Deodorising removes the nutty smell, and with it any trace of volatile compounds from the kernel.
- Testing and packing. Each lot is tested and filled into full, sealed packs.
What the process does not involve is solvent. If a supplier quotes a price well below the market for "cold-pressed" oil, ask whether it was solvent-extracted from press cake, and ask for the manufacturing method on the CoA.
What Is Inside Apricot Kernel Oil
A carrier oil is defined by its fatty acids, and apricot kernel oil has a clear signature:
- Oleic acid (C18:1), typically 55–70 %. The main fatty acid, a monounsaturated omega-9. It gives the oil its soft, smooth feel and most of its stability.
- Linoleic acid (C18:2), typically 20–35 %. A polyunsaturated omega-6. It makes the oil feel lighter, and it is the part that oxidises first, so it sets the shelf life.
- Palmitic acid (C16:0), about 3–6 %, and up to 10 % in some virgin oils, plus a small share of stearic acid. These are the saturated fats; there are few of them, which is why the oil stays liquid and clear.
- Linolenic acid (C18:3), below 1 %. Kept low, which helps shelf life.
The oil also carries small amounts of natural tocopherols (vitamin E), phytosterols and other unsaponifiable matter, usually below 2 %. Virgin oil keeps more of these than refined oil.
Oleic and linoleic acid together make up about 90 % of the oil, and their ratio moves with variety, climate and crop year. It is normal for two lots from the same supplier to differ by several percentage points. Agree your ranges on the fatty acid profile of the lot you approve, not on a textbook figure.
What to Check on the CoA
A good Certificate of Analysis for apricot kernel oil covers identity, freshness and lot details:
- Appearance and colour: a clear oily liquid, pale to light yellow. Refined oil is paler. Haze at room temperature is a warning sign.
- Odour: mild and nutty for virgin oil; almost none for refined. A sharp, paint-like or "crayon" smell means the oil has gone rancid.
- Relative density: typically 0.910–0.920 at 20 °C.
- Refractive index: typically 1.4635–1.4655 at 40 °C (some suppliers report it at 20 °C, where it is about 1.47).
- Free fatty acids (acid value): below 1 % as oleic acid for good-quality oil; refined oil is usually well below 0.5 %. Rising free fatty acids mean the kernels or the oil were badly stored.
- Peroxide value: below 10 meq O₂/kg; fresh refined oil is usually far lower. This is the first number to rise as the oil oxidises, so check it again on older stock.
- Iodine value: about 90–115. It measures unsaturation and confirms the oil sits where an oleic-rich oil should.
- Saponification value: about 185–200 mg KOH/g. Soap makers need this figure for their lye calculations.
- Fatty acid profile by GC: oleic and linoleic within your agreed ranges.
- Lot details: batch number, manufacturing and best-before dates, country of origin, and whether the oil is virgin or refined.
Adulteration: what to watch for
Apricot kernel oil sells at a premium over commodity oils, so the usual risk is dilution with something cheaper and similar. Sunflower oil (especially high-oleic sunflower), rapeseed oil and sweet almond oil are the likely candidates, because their fatty acids overlap.
The fatty acid profile by GC is the main defence: a blend with ordinary sunflower oil pushes linoleic acid above the normal range, and other oils bring fatty acids, such as erucic acid from some rapeseed oils, that apricot kernel oil should not contain. For high-value or "virgin" claims, a sterol profile can add confidence. Ask for a sample of the actual lot, and keep a retained sample of every lot you receive.
Where Apricot Kernel Oil Is Used
Apricot kernel oil earns its place in a formula through its feel, its mild smell and its price compared with speciality oils:
- Face oils and serums. A light base that spreads easily and doesn't feel heavy, often blended with jojoba, argan or a small share of pomegranate seed oil.
- Creams and lotions. Part of the oil phase in emulsions, where its pale colour and low smell keep the finished product clean-looking.
- Baby oils and baby-care products. Brands choose it for mild, low-scent formulas; refined oil is common here.
- Massage and spa oils. A classic massage base on its own or with sweet almond, sesame or MCT oil, and the carrier for essential oil blends. See our ready-made spa oils for examples.
- Hair oils and serums. Light enough for leave-in products that should not weigh hair down.
- Lip care, balms and soap. In lip balms and lip oils, cleansing balms, and as part of the oil blend in cold-process soap.
- Aromatherapy and private label. The base oil for roll-ons and pre-diluted blends with essential oils such as lavender, Bulgarian rose, geranium, sandalwood and Roman chamomile. Our private label guide explains how brands build ranges on carrier oils like this one.
For a side-by-side view of the other carrier oils we supply, including avocado, sunflower, pistachio and chironji, see the carrier oils category and our carrier oils for cosmetics guide.
Safety, Cosmetic and Food Rules
Handling
Apricot kernel oil is a vegetable oil, and most suppliers do not classify it as hazardous under GHS. The practical risks are ordinary ones for oils in a factory:
- Spills are slippery. Absorb them with sand or an inert absorbent and clean the floor.
- Oily rags can self-ignite. Cloths and absorbents soaked in unsaturated oil can heat up as the oil oxidises. Spread them out to dry or keep them in a closed metal bin with water.
- Flash point is high, above 200 °C, so the oil is not a fire risk in normal storage. Check the figure on your supplier's SDS.
Cosmetics
In the EU, apricot kernel oil is listed in the CosIng database under the INCI name Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, and it is not restricted in the Cosmetics Regulation. Your label uses that INCI name. If you use refined and virgin oil in different products, the INCI name is the same; the difference belongs in your specification, not on the label.
Apricot is a stone fruit, and apricot kernels are not on the EU or US lists of major tree-nut allergens. That is one reason some brands use the oil instead of sweet almond oil. People can still react to kernel oils, so follow your own allergen policy and state the source clearly. Refined oil carries very little protein.
Food
Apricot kernels contain amygdalin, a compound that releases hydrocyanic acid (HCN) when the kernel is crushed and wet. The EU sets a strict HCN limit for raw apricot kernels sold to consumers, because eating bitter kernels can be dangerous. The pressed oil carries very little, as amygdalin does not dissolve in oil, and refining removes what is left.
Even so, food-grade apricot kernel oil needs food-grade paperwork: a food-grade statement, an HCN result on the CoA, and evidence that the oil may be sold as food in your market. Food laws differ on whether apricot kernel oil is a recognised edible oil. IndoOils supplies food-grade lots on request only, with those documents.
Documents to Ask For
For every lot, ask for:
- Certificate of Analysis with the checks listed above, stating virgin or refined.
- Fatty acid profile by GC.
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in the format your country requires.
- Country of origin and manufacturing method.
- Allergen statement and a composition statement (100 % apricot kernel oil, no additives, or the antioxidant used if any).
- Food-grade statement and HCN result, if you buy for food.
Many cosmetic buyers also ask for a pesticide-residue report and a statement on GMOs, BSE/TSE and animal testing. Tell us what your regulatory file needs when you enquire. Our cosmetics importer's checklist lists the paperwork buyers usually collect.
For customs, apricot kernel oil is a fixed vegetable oil, not an essential oil. In India it falls under heading 1515 ("other fixed vegetable fats and oils"), with HSN 15159099 for cosmetic grade and 15159091 for edible grade, and GST at 5 %. Confirm the code with your customs agent.
Packing and Storage
IndoOils supplies apricot kernel oil in 25 kg and 50 kg packs and 200 kg drums, minimum order one pack. Each pack is filled full, sealed and labelled with its batch number.
Like every oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids, apricot kernel oil keeps best when it is protected from air, light and heat:
- Store it in the original closed container at 10–25 °C, in a cool, dry, dark place.
- Keep packs full. Flush part-used packs with nitrogen before closing, and use opened packs within about six months.
- The oil can turn hazy below about 5 °C; it clears again at room temperature and is not damaged.
- Shelf life is about 18 months unopened for cold-pressed oil and 24 months for refined.
- Check the peroxide value and smell of older stock before you use it.
How to Order
- Request a sample through our sample request page (see our sample policy). Test it in your own formula, and check the smell, colour and feel against your current oil.
- Approve a specification from the sample's CoA: virgin or refined, fatty acid ranges, free fatty acid and peroxide maximums, and the physical constants.
- Send a bulk inquiry through our bulk inquiry form with the quantity, pack size, destination and documents you need. We reply with a quotation.
- Receive the lot with its CoA and SDS, and check them against your approved specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is apricot kernel oil the same as apricot oil?
Yes. "Apricot oil" in the cosmetics trade almost always means apricot kernel oil, pressed from the kernels inside the stones. The fruit flesh is not used for oil. The INCI name is Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil.
What is the difference between cold-pressed and refined apricot kernel oil?
Cold-pressed (virgin) oil is only pressed, settled and filtered. It is light yellow, smells mildly nutty and keeps its natural tocopherols. Refined oil is also bleached and deodorised, so it is paler, almost odourless and keeps a little longer. Both have the same fatty acids and the same INCI name.
Is apricot kernel oil the same as sweet almond oil?
No, but they are close. Both come from Prunus kernels and both are rich in oleic acid. Apricot kernel oil is usually lighter in feel. Sweet almond oil comes from a tree nut, apricot kernel oil from a stone fruit, and they have different INCI names and CAS numbers.
Does apricot kernel oil contain cyanide?
The kernels contain amygdalin, which can release hydrocyanic acid, but amygdalin does not dissolve in oil, so the pressed oil carries very little and refining removes the rest. For food use, ask for a hydrocyanic acid result on the CoA. Cosmetic-grade oil is not intended for eating.
What is the HSN code for apricot kernel oil?
In India, apricot kernel oil falls under heading 1515. Use 15159099 for cosmetic-grade oil and 15159091 for edible-grade oil. It is not an essential oil, so codes under 3301 do not apply. Confirm with your customs agent.
How long does apricot kernel oil keep?
About 18 months unopened for cold-pressed oil and about 24 months for refined, stored cool, dark and closed. Opened packs should be used within about six months. Check the peroxide value and smell of older stock before use.
Where does your apricot kernel oil come from?
Our apricot kernel oil is of Turkish origin, the world's largest apricot-growing country, and reaches us through our partner network. The country of origin is stated on the CoA for every lot.
More Buyer's Guides
- Bulk Carrier Oils for Cosmetics: A Formulator's Buying Guide
- Bulk Bitter Almond Oil (FFPA): A Buyer's Guide
- Private Label Essential Oils from India: A Brand Owner's Guide
- Bulk Lavender Oil from India: A Buyer's Guide
- Fragrance Allergen Labeling: What Bulk Buyers Should Be Asking For From a Supplier
Ready to buy? Request a sample or send a bulk inquiry, and tell us your application and the documents you need.