Abyssinian Oil.

Some oils announce themselves. This one quietly disappears into the skin. Abyssinian oil is very light yellow to clear and odorless, so it carries whatever you ask of it, a few drops of a treasured essential oil, a balm for dry hands, the long strokes of an evening massage, and leaves only softness behind.

It is ground and cold-pressed in Canada from Crambe abyssinica, a relative of broccoli seed oil, and it is unusually high in erucic acid, a long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid, followed by oleic and linoleic acids. That makes it very shelf stable and resistant to heat and oxidation, with a shelf life of two years or more, long for a carrier oil. It is often compared with argan oil for its omega-6 and omega-9 profile, and it is every bit as luxurious.

On the skin it is light, not greasy, absorbs easily and gives excellent slip. It moisturizes and softens, suits oily, dry and mature skin, and in the hair it adds shine and luster and works as a detangler.

Details

• Botanical name: Crambe abyssinica
• Origin: Canada
• Method: ground and cold-pressed
• Highest in erucic acid, then oleic and linoleic acids
• Shelf life: up to two years or more

How to use

Make it 55 to 65% of a blend for oily, dry or mature skin, use it as a massage base, or set it at the heart of a lip salve or balm. A quiet foundation for every blend you have yet to make.