Strawberry seed oil is made by crushing strawberry seeds and collecting the oil. It is rich in nutrients, including essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, and has many benefits for your skin.
This article with discuss:
- What is strawberry seed oil?
- Where is the seed on a strawberry?
- How is strawberry seed oil made?
- What does strawberry seed oil smell like?
- What color is strawberry seed oil?
- What does strawberry seed oil feel like?
- What is composition of strawberry seed oil?
- What are 4 benefits of strawberry seed oil?
- Does strawberry seed oil clog pores?
- Summary
- References
What is strawberry seed oil?
Strawberry seed oil (Fragaria ananassa) is obtained by crushing strawberry seeds and collecting the oil.
Strawberry seed oil is cold-pressed from seeds that would otherwise go to waste in the juice industry and is considered a ‘zero waste’ seed oil.
Fruit seeds are a major by-products of the food industry, and creating new uses for them by converting them to value-added products helps to prevent their disposal as waste, and promotes sustainable production.
Strawberry seed oil is rich in essential nutrients, including essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants and has many benefits for your skin.
Where is the seed on a strawberry?
The “seeds" you see on the outside of a strawberry are called "achenes."
Each achene is technically a separate fruit that has a seed inside of it (Hancock,1999).
How is strawberry seed oil made?
Strawberry seed oil is typically made through a process called cold-pressing. Here's a general overview of how it is made:
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Harvesting: Ripe strawberries are picked and the seeds are extracted from the fruit. The seeds are then cleaned to remove any debris or impurities.
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Drying: The cleaned strawberry seeds are spread out in a thin layer and dried. This step helps to reduce moisture content, which is important for the cold-pressing process.
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Cold-Pressing: The dried strawberry seeds are subjected to a mechanical pressing method, usually involving a hydraulic press. The seeds are pressed at low temperatures, typically below 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). This cold-pressing method helps to preserve the nutritional and aromatic properties of the oil.
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Filtering: Once the seeds are pressed, the resulting oil is separated from the solid residue using filtration methods. This helps to remove any remaining impurities and solids, resulting in a clean and clear oil.
The exact production process may vary depending on the manufacturer or specific equipment used.
What does strawberry seed oil smell like?
Strawberry seed oil has a unique aroma that can be described as sweet, fruity, and reminiscent of freshly picked strawberries.
The intensity and specific scent of strawberry seed oil may vary depending on the quality of the seeds, the extraction process, and any additional processing or refining steps involved in the production of the oil.
Cold-pressed, unrefined strawberry seed oil has the strongest aroma, whereas processed oil has a faint aroma.
What color is strawberry seed oil?
The color of strawberry seed oil depends on how the seeds are processed and how the finished oil is refined.
Cold-pressed, unrefined strawberry seed oil is a light green to dark green color.
Refined strawberry seed oil will have a golden yellow to clear color.
What does strawberry seed oil feel like?
Strawberry seed oil typically has a light and silky texture, making it pleasant to apply on the skin. It is lightweight and easily absorbed, without leaving a heavy or greasy residue.
What is composition of strawberry seed oil?
Cold-pressed strawberry seed oil is packed with essential nutrients, including fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants (Pieszka et al, 2015).
Strawberry seed oil is composed of fatty acids:
- 44 - 55% linoleic acid C18:2 (n-6)
- 28 - 38% alpha-linolenic acid C18:3 (n-3)
- 8 - 16% oleic acid C18:1 (n-9)
- 2 - 6% palmitic acid C16:0
- 1 - 2.5% stearic acid C18:0
- 0.5% palmitoleic acid C16:1 (n-7)
Strawberry seed oil is a rich source of vitamin E.
Strawberry seed oil has 0.58 mg/g of vitamin E. Strawberry seed oil contains tocopherols, with 0.49 mg/g gamma-tocopherol, 0.02 mg/g alpha-tocopherol and 0.06 mg/g delta-tocopherol. Strawberry seed oil also contains 0.008 mg/g gamma-tocotrienol (Pieszka et al 2015).
Strawberry seed oil is a rich source of antioxidants such as tocols, bioflavonoids and phytosterols (Pieszka et al, 2013).
What are 4 benefits of strawberry seed oil?
Strawberry seed oil has many benefits for dry skin.
1. Strawberry seed oil can soften your skin
Strawberry seed oil is lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin, leaving a soft, non-greasy finish.
It functions as an emollient, meaning it helps soften and smooth the skin by replenishing lipids on the surface.
Its fatty acids, particularly linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids, help “fill in the gaps” between skin cells, creating a smoother, more supple texture.
2. Strawberry seed oil can strengthen your skin barrier
Strawberry seed oil supports the skin barrier through its high linoleic acid content (~50%), which is a precursor to ceramides, key lipids that help maintain a strong, intact barrier.
A healthy skin barrier helps retain moisture, keeping skin smooth, plump, and hydrated.
It also contains oleic and palmitic acids, which are naturally found in the outer layer of the skin and contribute to barrier integrity and moisture retention.
When the skin barrier is compromised, skin can become dry, rough, dull, and more prone to irritation. Supporting the barrier is essential for long-term skin health.
3. Strawberry seed oil can calm your skin
Dry skin is often associated with redness, irritation, and sensitivity.
Strawberry seed oil has soothing properties due to its high omega-3 content.
With 28–38% alpha-linolenic acid, it helps reduce the appearance of redness, calm irritation, and relieve dry, itchy skin (McCusker et al., 2010).
Regular use can help improve skin comfort, leaving it feeling calmer and more balanced.
4. Strawberry seed oil can protect your skin against damage
Strawberry seed oil is rich in antioxidants such as tocols, bioflavonoids, and phytosterols (Pieszka et al., 2013).
Antioxidants help protect the skin from free radical damage, unstable molecules generated by factors like UV exposure, pollution, and natural aging (Masaki et al., 2010).
By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants help support healthier, more resilient skin and protect against environmental stressors.
Does strawberry seed oil clog pores?
Strawberry seed oil is considered a non-comedogenic oil, which means it is generally less likely to clog pores compared to oils with higher comedogenic ratings. However, individual skin reactions can vary, so it's important to consider personal factors such as skin type and sensitivity.
Non-comedogenic oils like strawberry seed oil are often lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin, which reduces the likelihood of pore blockage. They can also provide moisturizing benefits without causing excessive oiliness or acne breakouts.
Summary
Strawberry seed oil is made by crushing strawberry seeds and collecting the oil. It is rich in nutrients, including essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, and has many benefits for your skin.
Strawberry seed oil makes an excellent ingredient in skin care because it can deeply moisturize the skin without causing greasiness or clogging pores.
Dry Skin Love Strawberry Oil Cleanser is made with cold-pressed strawberry seed oil.
References
Aaby, K., Skrede, G., & Wrolstad, R. E. (2005). Phenolic composition and antioxidant activities in flesh and achenes of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa). Journal of Agricultural and Food chemistry, 53(10), 4032-4040.
Ariza, M. T., Reboredo-Rodríguez, P., Mazzoni, L., Forbes-Hernández, T. Y., Giampieri, F., Afrin, S., ... & Mezzetti, B. (2016). Strawberry achenes are an important source of bioactive compounds for human health. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(7), 1103.
Hancock, J. E. (1999). Fruiting and postharvest physiology. Strawberries.
Ligęza, M., Wyglądacz, D., Tobiasz, A., Jaworecka, K., & Reich, A. (2016). Natural cold pressed oils as cosmetic products. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 18(4), 443-447.
Mildner-Szkudlarz, S., Różańska, M., Siger, A., Kowalczewski, P. Ł., & Rudzińska, M. (2019). Changes in chemical composition and oxidative stability of cold-pressed oils obtained from by-product roasted berry seeds. Lwt, 111, 541-547.
McCusker, et al. Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Clin Dermatol. 2010 Jul-Aug;28(4):440-51.
Pieszka, M., Migdał, W., Gąsior, R., Rudzińska, M., Bederska-Łojewska, D., Pieszka, M., & Szczurek, P. (2015). Native oils from apple, blackcurrant, raspberry, and strawberry seeds as a source of polyenoic fatty acids, tocochromanols, and phytosterols: A health implication. Journal of Chemistry, 2015.
Pieszka M, Tombarkiewicz B, Roman A, Migdał W, Niedziółka J. Effect of bioactive substances found in rapeseed, raspberry and strawberry seed oils on blood lipid profile and selected parameters of oxidative status in rats. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2013 Nov;36(3):1055-62.
Raczyk M, Bryś J, Brzezińska R, Ostrowska-Ligęza E, Wirkowska-Wojdyła M, Górska A. Quality assessment of cold-pressed strawberry, raspberry and blackberry seed oils intended for cosmetic purposes. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2021 Apr-Jun;20(2):127-133.
Sikora E, Michorczyk P, Olszańska M, Ogonowski J. Supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds as a valuable component of mild cleansing compositions. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2015 Dec;37(6):574-8.
Symoniuk, E., Wroniak, M., Napiórkowska, K., Brzezińska, R., & Ratusz, K. (2022). Oxidative stability and antioxidant activity of selected cold-pressed oils and oils mixtures. Foods, 11(11), 1597.
Takeda S, Shimoda H, Takarada T, Imokawa G. Strawberry seed extract and its major component, tiliroside, promote ceramide synthesis in the stratum corneum of human epidermal equivalents. PLoS One. 2018 Oct 9;13(10):e0205061.
Author Information
Dr. Natasha Ryz is the founder of Dry Skin Love Skincare. With over 10 years of experience as a formulator and a strong scientific foundation, Dr. Ryz creates products that combine the best of nature and science for transformative results.
She trained in Organic Skincare Formulation at Formula Botanica and took the Skincare Specialist Program at the School of Natural Skincare, with over 200 hours of specialized education. Dr. Ryz also holds a diploma in Beauty Brand Business Management.
Dr. Ryz’s scientific background includes a PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia, and she has over 15 years of research experience in microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry. This expertise informs every product she formulates, ensuring exceptional quality, efficacy, and luxury.