Kalahari Melon Seed Oil (KMSO) should not be overlooked when deciding on a cosmetic formulation. It is the mother of melon oils.
The Kalahari melon grows mainly in Namibia and Botswana – in the heart of the dry Kalahari Desert. Known by its Latin title Citrullus Vulgaris, this melon is one of 1200 melons found worldwide and is recognised as the oldest melon ancestor.

Kalahari melon oil also known as tsamma, wild watermelon, bitterboela, karkoer, wild watermelon, makatane or mokaté. Being one of 1,200 varieties of melon, Kalahari melon oil is distinct from regular melon seed oil. The melon has a bitter taste and serves as an essential water source for desert inhabitants when surface water is unattainable.

It is known that the San people can survive for six weeks consuming the Kalahari melons alone. The seeds are ground, and when mixed with water, it used as a sunblock and skin nourisher. The melon has a yellow or pale green flesh with a bitter taste.

Once the melon is harvested, they are sliced open and the seeds gathered. These are dried in the sun until there is no moisture in them. These seeds are cold-pressed to extract the oil for bottling and storing.

The seed of the Kalahari melon consists of approximately 50% oil, 35% protein, and 5% dietary fibre.

The seeds themselves are nutritious and edible – rich in magnesium, potassium, folate, zinc, protein, and iron.

Benefits & Uses:

• KMSO is an excellent choice for a natural facial cleanse. It helps unclog pores and removes excess sebum from the skin’s surface. The oil is rich in linolenic acid – making up to 70% of its content.
• It is antioxidant-rich, thereby hydrating and tightening the skin.
• Assists with scars and skin repair due to high concentration of Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids.
• Hair conditioner or by adding a few drops to your shampoo.
• Used as a baby oil
• Can be used in massage oils as a carrier oil

KMSO is the only oil containing polyunsaturated fatty acids that are stable, primarily because it has vitamin E. The significant component is γ-tocopherol (70.56 mg/100 g), followed by α-tocopherol (25.94 mg/100 g). These high values provide for extended shelf life.

Cold-Pressed is Best

Cold-pressing is the most common and cost-effective method, which involves hydraulic or screw-pressing.
Sustainability

It is a seasonal plant that produces one crop per year. It is a much easier plant to grow to extract the seed oil. It does not need as much time as the baobab, mongongo, or marula trees to bear fruit. It is usually wild-harvested and has an important influence on the lives of the gatherers. It is drought-resistant and has valuable dietary attributes.