Zea mays oil
AKA: Maize, Corn
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Fragrance
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
Zea Mays Oil is the refined fixed oil obtained from wet milling of the Corn, Zea mays L., Gramineae. It consists primarily of the glycerides of the fatty acids linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic
Family
Poaceae (Grass family)
Plant Part
Kernel
Lifeform
Annual
Climate
Seasonally dry tropical
CAS #
8001-30-7
Form
Oil
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.
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 Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory2 listings →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR