Camelina oil: a 100% French champion
Updated on , validated by our team of René Furterer experts.
Camelina oil: a 100% French champion
In the heart of the green hills of Auvergne, a fine yellow blossom that was thought to have disappeared is gradually repopulating the fields. It is camelina, a plant from central Europe that can be dated as far back as the Celts, who already knew of its benefits! Soothing, protective and healing, René Furterer has created an ethical and responsible industry around its precious oil with small producers who are determined to bring it back into fashion.
Camelina oil, an entire history
Camelina Sativa, from its Latin name, has been known for over 4,000 years! It came from the farthest reaches of Central Europe and the steppes of Asia, and archaeological evidence of it can be found among the Celts, who used its stalks to cover roofs and its pressed seeds to produce one of the first known edible oils. Requiring little fertilizer or water, this plant grows quickly and almost on its own. It covered many fields until the 19th century, when it fell into disuse as other more productive oilseeds were preferred. But this was without counting on the dedication and passion of a few die-hards who decided to put its cultivation back into a virtuous circle.
So many benefits in such a small seed
Its tiny seeds contain real treasures! Once cold-pressed, they produce an oil with unique nutritional and therapeutic properties. Camelina oil contains more than 45% omega-3 (α-linolenic acid) as well as omega-6 (linoleic acid), valuable antioxidants that help reduce cholesterol levels and soften sensitive skin. It is also rich in vitamin E, an ally against skin aging. While these properties are not rare in the plant world, finding them all in such high concentration in a single species makes camelina a champion in every category!
Camelina is highly valued in organic farming, as its robustness makes it possible to protect crops and soils without having to use additional products. By densely covering the soil, it prevents the proliferation of weeds and limits the risk of disease. All this, naturally! It is also often used as a support for more fragile plants, which can lean against its long stems to grow properly.
What about for our hair?
With such a pedigree, it's not surprising that cosmetics have taken a close interest in it! René Furterer has made organic camelina oil an essential part of its repairing and protective care ranges. Thanks to its exceptional composition, it acts on the hair fiber to nourish it in depth and restore its protective barrier, the hydrolipidic film, while coating the hair cuticles. The result: regenerated and repaired hair without being weighed down.
A supply chain with heart
For more than 15 years, René Furterer has been committed to creating ethical supply chains to support sustainable development by selecting exceptional raw materials, while ensuring the preservation of resources and the well-being of those who take care of them.
For the creation of our camelina supply chain, we naturally chose to turn to France. With our historical refiner partner, we went out into the fields to meet the people who have made this sleeping beauty into a major ally.
Because yes, camelina does provide many services to farmers, even to those who have not made it their main activity. Thanks to its very short growth cycle (barely 3 to 4 months), it can cover the soil between two crops and protect them from the harshness of winter and the growth of undesirable weeds. But for the small producers in Auvergne with whom René Furterer has built up this sector, it plays much more than a secondary role. In fact, they have made it their mission! And thanks to the brand's investment in developing and promoting the sector by supporting them in their fair trade certification, they intend to convince other farmers to join their cooperative.
With these passionate partners, René Furterer has found true craftsmen of the earth. Their production is a model of 100% French organic agriculture, working the soil as part of a long-term project, and the concern to preserve natural resources. Thanks to the Fair For Life certification issued by Ecocert, the young fair-trade organic camelina sector can take root and look to the future with confidence.
With long contracts, above-market purchase prices and support for development, René Furterer is engaging the entire production chain in a win-win process.
The seeds harvested by the cooperative are cold-pressed in an oil mill to produce a high quality raw oil. This camelina oil is then refined for use in our cosmetic formulas, i.e. deodorized and bleached using green chemistry processes that only use natural solvents Nothing more.
From the seed to the product, the entire camelina production chain is committed to an ethical and responsible approach.
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OUR PRODUCTS, DESIGNED FOR YOU
With its repairing and protective powers, Camelina nourishes our Absolue Kératine range.