Ximenia Seed Oil
Ximenia americana & Ximenia caffra
Ximenia Seed Oil is a distinctive cold-pressed African cosmetic lipid oil obtained from the seeds of wild-harvested Ximenia fruit indigenous to Southern Africa.
Afrika Botanicals can supply oil from both Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra, allowing customers to select the species that best fits their formulation or specification requirements.
Ximenia oils are characterised by their unusual long-chain fatty acid composition, rich texture and distinctive conditioning properties, making them particularly interesting for specialist skincare, haircare and lipid formulations.
Origin & Sourcing
- Botanical: Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra
- Raw material: Ximenia seed
- Origin: Zimbabwe
- Harvesting: Wild-harvested
- Extraction: Mechanical cold pressing
- Refining: Unrefined
- Additives: None
Both species occur naturally across Southern Africa and have a long history of local use.
Afrika Botanicals sources Ximenia from Zimbabwe, where fruit is collected through established wild-harvesting networks.
Our Zimbabwean supply comes through our strategic production partner, providing an established supply chain from wild harvesting through processing, documentation and export.
Because the two species differ in their analytical profiles, Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra are identified and supplied separately rather than treated as interchangeable material.
Performance Profile
Ximenia Seed Oil has an unusual fatty acid composition compared with many conventional cosmetic lipid oils.
Its combination of long-chain fatty acids and naturally occurring Ximenia-specific fatty acids contributes to its characteristic texture and formulation behaviour.
Key formulation characteristics include:
- Distinctive fatty acid profile – composition differs significantly from more conventional oleic- or linoleic-dominant cosmetic oils
- Rich texture – provides substantial emollience and body within formulations
- Conditioning properties – particularly useful in skin and hair formulations
- Persistent skin feel – useful where longer-lasting emollience is required
- Film-forming characteristics – provides an interesting functional component for specialist cosmetic formulations
- Species-specific composition – X. americana and X. caffra provide formulators with different analytical profiles within the same botanical genus
Detailed fatty acid profiles are available in the applicable technical documentation.
Technical Information
Ximenia americana
- INCI: Ximenia Americana Seed Oil
- Extraction: Cold-pressed
- Refining: Unrefined
- Appearance: Pale yellow to golden liquid oil
- Odour: Mild, characteristic
Ximenia caffra
- INCI: Ximenia Caffra Seed Oil
- Extraction: Cold-pressed
- Refining: Unrefined
- Appearance: Pale yellow to golden liquid oil
- Odour: Mild, characteristic
Typical shelf life: 24 months under recommended storage conditions.
Natural variation in colour, odour and analytical values can occur between species, harvests and production batches.
Batch-specific analytical values and fatty acid profiles are provided in the applicable product documentation.conditioning performance.
Applications
Ximenia Seed Oil is suitable for a range of cosmetic applications, including:
- Facial oils and serums
- Rich creams and emulsions
- Balms and anhydrous formulations
- Body-care products
- Hair conditioners and masks
- Scalp and treatment oils
- Lipid blends
- Specialist skincare and haircare formulations
It is particularly useful where richness, conditioning, persistent emollience and a distinctive fatty acid profile are required.s.
Natural variation in colour, odour and analytical values can occur between species, harvests and production batches.
Batch-specific analytical values and fatty acid profiles are provided in the applicable product documentation.conditioning performance.
Organic Supply
Afrika Botanicals supplies certified organic Ximenia Seed Oil from Zimbabwe.
We can supply both Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra, depending on customer requirements and availability.
Organic certification depends on the supply chain and batch. Current certification documentation can be provided with quotations and commercial orders.
Quality & Documentation
Ximenia Seed Oil is supplied with appropriate technical documentation, including:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Fatty acid profile where applicable
- Organic certification
- Origin and traceability information
Representative documentation is available during product evaluation, with batch-specific documentation supplied where applicable to commercial orders.
Customers requiring a particular species, fatty acid profile or analytical specification should identify this when requesting a quotation.
Packaging & Commercial Supply
Available formats depend on specification and volume and can include:
- 1 litre
- 5 litre
- Approximately 23–25 kg bulk containers
- Larger bulk quantities by arrangement
We can plan commercial requirements with our Zimbabwean production partner based on species, harvest availability and required specifications..
Samples
Samples of Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra are available for formulation and commercial evaluation, subject to availability.
When requesting a sample or quotation, please specify the species required, anticipated order quantity, annual volume and destination.
or buy a sample now
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you supply both Ximenia species?
Yes. Afrika Botanicals can supply both Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra from Zimbabwe.
Are Ximenia americana and Ximenia caffra the same oil?
No. They are related species but have differences in their fatty acid profiles and analytical characteristics. We therefore identify and supply them separately.
Where does your Ximenia Seed Oil come from?
Our Ximenia supply comes from Zimbabwe, from wild-harvested fruit collected through established regional harvesting networks.
Is your Ximenia Seed Oil refined?
No. Our standard Ximenia Seed Oil is cold-pressed and unrefined.
Is certified organic Ximenia available?
Yes. Certified organic Ximenia from Zimbabwe is part of our standard portfolio.
Why is Ximenia interesting to cosmetic formulators?
Ximenia has an unusual fatty acid composition and rich sensory profile compared with many conventional cosmetic lipid oils. This makes it particularly interesting for specialist skin and hair formulations.
Can I specify which Ximenia species I require?
Yes. Customers can specify either Ximenia americana or Ximenia caffra. We recommend doing so where a formulation or technical specification depends on a particular fatty acid profile.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 24 months when stored correctly in unopened packaging. Refer to the applicable product documentation for the supplied material.
Can you supply technical documentation?
Yes. COA, TDS and SDS documentation are available, along with organic certification and relevant analytical information.
Can you supply commercial volumes?
Yes. Please provide the species required, anticipated order quantity and annual volume so that we can confirm availability and production planning..