What is cold pressing (or expression) and for which types of oils is it used?
What is Cold Pressing (or Expression)?
Hey there! As someone who loves studying essential oils and plant oils, I've used many cold-pressed products and researched the method myself. Simply put, cold pressing (also called expression) is a traditional way to extract oil from plants. It doesn’t use high heat or chemical solvents—instead, it relies on mechanical pressure to "squeeze" oil out of seeds, nuts, fruits, or peels. Imagine juicing an orange at home: you press the orange by hand or machine, and the juice flows out. Cold pressing works much the same way, just more professionally with industrial equipment.
Why "cold"? Because the entire process stays at low temperatures (typically below 49°C/120°F), preserving the oil’s nutrients, aroma, and color without heat damage. Compared to methods like heat or chemical extraction, it’s more natural and yields higher-quality oil. The downside? Lower output and higher costs.
Which Types of Oils Is It Suitable For?
Cold pressing works best for oils easily extracted from plant materials, mainly two categories: vegetable oils (aka carrier/base oils) and some essential oils. Here are common examples:
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Vegetable Oils (for cooking/skincare):
- Olive oil: Pressed from olives—super common for food and skin.
- Coconut oil: Extracted from coconut meat—great for moisturizing.
- Almond, jojoba, sesame oils: Pressed from nuts/seeds—ideal for massage or skincare.
Why? These materials are oil-rich and release oil easily under pressure.
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Essential Oils (concentrated for aromatherapy):
- Mainly citrus oils like orange, lemon, and grapefruit: Pressed from peels—smell incredibly fresh.
Why only these? Most essential oils use distillation, but citrus peels are oil-dense. Cold pressing extracts their essence directly while preserving fruity notes.
- Mainly citrus oils like orange, lemon, and grapefruit: Pressed from peels—smell incredibly fresh.
In short, cold pressing doesn’t suit all oils—like those from flowers or leaves (e.g., lavender or mint), which typically require distillation or solvent extraction since they yield little oil under pressure. If buying cold-pressed oils, check labels for "cold-pressed" or "virgin" for the best quality! Feel free to ask if you have questions—I love sharing these tips!