The Science Behind Cold-Pressed Skin-Care Ingredients, Explained

Almost every foodie buzzword — organic, gluten-free, vegan — eventually migrates from the frozen-goods section to the beauty aisle. The latest to make the leap: cold-pressed. Once the hallmark of truly expensive juices everywhere, the term is now proudly printed on face oils and creams. Saying something is cold-pressed means it was processed or extracted without involving high heat levels, which can destroy good-for-your-skin things like proteins and the fats in oils, says cosmetic chemist Ginger King.

But that's not to suggest you have to worry about all the skin-care products that aren't cold-pressed: Cosmetic chemists know to keep formulas below 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) so that ingredients aren't compromised during the formulation. Still, seeing "cold-pressed" can be an indicator of the quality of ingredients in a formula, particularly for oils: "Cold-pressing preserves the integrity of omega 6 and 9," says King. "So it's nice to see that term next to each of the oils in a formula." The catch: The term isn't FDA-regulated, so it's up to brands to be honest about whether their ingredients do or don't fall into the category.

Below, shop some of our favorite skin-care products featuring ultra-potent cold-pressed ingredients.

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