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Zea mays oil
AKA “Corn”
Essential Oil
Ingredient Facts
Zea mays oil
AKA: Corn
Essential Oil · Perfuming · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Fragrance
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Essential Oil
Clean
Corn oil that gently conditions and softens hair and skin while helping other ingredients blend smoothly together. Light, nourishing, and naturally derived.
Family
Poaceae (Grass family)
Plant Part
Kernel
Lifeform
Annual
Climate
Seasonally dry tropical
CAS #
8001-30-7
Form
Oil
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Locks in moisture
Smooths skin texture
Traditional Use
Corn oil has been used in traditional medicine and cosmetics across many cultures for skin and hair conditioning. Native Americans and traditional healers in various cultures applied corn oil topically; modern cosmetic use continues this ancient practice.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.5%
0%1%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Maximum secondary amine content: Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 61
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Deposition of plant lipids after single application of a lip care product determined by confocal raman spectroscopy, corneometry and transepidermal wa
Bielfeldt S, Blaak J, Laing S, Schleißinger M, Theiss C et al.
International journal of cosmetic science, 2019
→
Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review.
Bruno Burlando, Laura Cornara
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2013
→
Capacitive sensor-based artificial stratum corneum for skin irritating assessment of botanical insect repellent products and a de-irritation formulati
Cheng YH, Chen PC, Chen HY, Cheng CT, Hou YT et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2026
→
Capacitive sensor-based artificial stratum corneum for skin irritating assessment of botanical insect repellent products and a de-irritation formulati
Cheng YH, Chen PC, Chen HY, Cheng CT, Hou YT et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2026
→
Inhibitory effect of corn silk on skin pigmentation.
Choi SY, Lee Y, Kim SS, Ju HM, Baek JH et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2014
→
Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from Zea mays (corn)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Corn Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Oil PEG-8 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Starch Modified
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Starch/Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cornamide DEA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cornamide/Cocamide DEA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-5 Hydrogenated Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Potassium Cornate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Salicornia herbacea extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Schinus molle (pink peppercorn) oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Fruit
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Enhancement of stratum corneum lipid structure improves skin barrier function and protects against irritation in adults with dry, eczema-prone skin.
Danby SG, Andrew PV, Kay LJ, Pinnock A, Chittock J et al.
The British journal of dermatology, 2022
→
Food uses and health effects of corn oil.
Dupont J, White PJ, Carpenter MP, Schaefer EJ, Meydani SN et al.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1990
→
Food uses and health effects of corn oil.
Dupont J, White PJ, Carpenter MP, Schaefer EJ, Meydani SN et al.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1990
→
Influence of the penetration enhancer isopropyl myristate on stratum corneum lipid model membranes revealed by neutron diffraction and (2)H NMR experi
Eichner A, Stahlberg S, Sonnenberger S, Lange S, Dobner B et al.
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes, 2017
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Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Corn Starch Modified
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Cornamide/Cocamide DEA
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Salicornia herbacea extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Novel design of pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid and sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine complex for targeted drug delivery to human stratum corneum.
Fujii MY, Manabe H, Ogura T
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2025
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Dietary intervention of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum improves skin viscoelasticity, stratum corneum hydration, and reduction of trans-epide
Kapoor MP, Abe A, Morishima S, Nakajima A, Ozeki M et al.
Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 2025
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Dietary intervention of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum improves skin viscoelasticity, stratum corneum hydration, and reduction of trans-epide
Kapoor MP, Abe A, Morishima S, Nakajima A, Ozeki M et al.
Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 2025
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Replacing soybean meal with gelatin extracted from cow skin and corn protein concentrate as a protein source in broiler diets.
Khalaji S, Manafi M, Olfati Z, Hedyati M, Latifi M et al.
Poultry science, 2016
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Potential Photoprotective Effect of Dietary Corn Silk Extract on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Damage.
Kim YH, Cho A, Kwon SA, Kim M, Song M et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2019
→
In vitro eye irritancy test of lauryl derivatives using the reconstructed rabbit corneal epithelium model.
Matsuda S, Hisama M, Shibayama H, Itou N, Iwaki M
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2009
→
In vitro eye irritancy test of lauryl derivatives using the reconstructed rabbit corneal epithelium model.
Matsuda S, Hisama M, Shibayama H, Itou N, Iwaki M
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2009
→
Relationship between NMF (lactate and potassium) content and the physical properties of the stratum corneum in healthy subjects.
Nakagawa N, Sakai S, Matsumoto M, Yamada K, Nagano M et al.
The Journal of investigative dermatology, 2004
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Analysis of flour and food samples for cry9C from bioengineered corn.
Orlandi PA, Lampel KA, South PK, Assar SK, Carter L et al.
Journal of food protection, 2002
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Growth performance and carcass composition of turkey hens fed corn gluten feed.
Owings WJ, Sell JL, Ferket P, Hasiak RJ
Poultry science, 1988
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Strengthening the Skin Barrier by Using a Late Cornified ...
Mikaël Pancarte, Julie Leignadier, Séverine Courrech, Guy Serre, Joan Attia, Nathalie Jonca
Experimental dermatology, 2024
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Superior effect of isostearyl isostearate on improvement in stratum corneum water permeability barrier function as examined by the plastic occlusion s
Pennick G, Harrison S, Jones D, Rawlings AV
International journal of cosmetic science, 2010
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Polyglycerol fatty acid ester surfactant-based microemulsions for targeted delivery of ceramide AP into the stratum corneum: formulation, characterisa
Sahle FF, Metz H, Wohlrab J, Neubert RH
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2012
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Stratum corneum compliance enhances tactile sensitivity through increasing skin deformation: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Sakaguchi S, Saito K, Arakawa N, Konyo M
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2024
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Synthesis of specific deuterated derivatives of the long chained stratum corneum lipids [EOS] and [EOP] and characterization using neutron scattering.
Sonnenberger S, Eichner A, Schmitt T, Hauß T, Lange S et al.
Journal of labelled compounds & radiopharmaceuticals, 2017
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Antioxidative and skin-whitening effect of an aqueous extract of Salicornia herbacea.
Sung JH, Park SH, Seo DH, Lee JH, Hong SW et al.
Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 2009
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Corneal antinociceptive effect of (-)-α-bisabolol.
Teixeira GF, Costa FN, Campos AR
Pharmaceutical biology, 2017
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Verified Feb 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR