Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil is a lightweight, nourishing oil derived from corn kernels. It is widely used in UK skincare and haircare products as an emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin and hair without leaving a heavy or greasy feel.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil functions primarily as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. Its fatty acid profile, rich in linoleic acid, helps replenish the skin’s lipid barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and imparting a soft, supple feel. It is also used as a solvent for oil-soluble ingredients and can improve the texture and spreadability of creams, lotions, balms and hair treatments.
Key benefits
- Softens and smooths dry skin
- Helps reinforce the skin’s natural barrier
- Provides lightweight moisture without greasiness
- Conditions and adds shine to hair
- Improves product texture and spreadability
- Suitable for sensitive skin formulations
Best for
dry skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, mature skin
Where it comes from
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil is obtained from the germ (kernel) of the corn plant (Zea mays), a tall cereal grass native to the Americas and widely cultivated in the UK and Europe.
Products with Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Zea Mays (Corn) Oil than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.