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Tamanu oil body cream OEM/ODM manufacturing
Tamanu Oil Body Cream · OEM/ODM
Tamanu (mu u in Vietnamese) is a coastal tropical tree familiar in many Vietnamese villages; the oil pressed from its seed kernels ranges from yellow to deep green and has a strong nutty odor. A group of Vietnamese authors notes that tamanu oil has been used in traditional medicine for burns and skin diseases (Nguyen et al., 2017); that is a cultural, folk story, not a basis for any cosmetic benefit. Most biological data on tamanu oil come from cell cultures and animals; no human skin-care trial has been published. A tamanu body cream is therefore positioned at softening the skin, helping dry, rough areas on the arms and legs feel softer, in an oil-in-water emulsion with a humectant. Unlike the general body lotion page, this page centers on tamanu oil itself: its green color tints a white cream, its strong odor decides the oil level, its unsaturated fatty acids need antioxidant care, its composition varies with the seed source and pressing, and reported cases of contact allergy call for a note on the label. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
An oil-in-water emulsion with tamanu oil in the oil phase
A body cream is applied generously over a large skin area, so it needs to spread quickly without stickiness. Tamanu oil is the named ingredient; most of the oil phase is neutral oil and butter to dilute its color and odor. Because the formula contains water, it needs a preservative system confirmed by a preservative efficacy (challenge) test.
Tamanu oil
INCI Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil; CosIng defines it as the oil expressed from the seeds of the tamanu tree. It is distinct from the leaf extract, seedcake powder, hydrogenated tamanu oil and sodium tamanuseedate (the saponified oil), which are separate INCIs. CIR has not assessed tamanu oil, so there is no survey of use concentrations; the level in the cream is set by color, odor and stability testing (formulation experience).
Neutral oils and butter
Caprylic/capric triglyceride (MCT oil, low odor, very few unsaturated components) and squalane dilute the color and odor of tamanu oil; shea butter provides body and a nourishing feel for dry, rough skin.
Emulsifier and thickening system
Glyceryl stearate with PEG-100 stearate plus cetearyl alcohol for a stable cream; the PEG-free version uses cetearyl olivate (labeled together with sorbitan olivate). Xanthan gum or carbomer for a thin lotion that spreads quickly over a large area.
Humectant, preservation, antioxidant
Glycerin holds water in the stratum corneum; phenoxyethanol at up to 1% (ASEAN Annex VI) with ethylhexylglycerin; disodium EDTA to bind metal ions; tocopherol for the oil phase.
Key technical points
Color, odor, oxidation and lot consistency: four issues specific to tamanu oil
Tamanu oil differs from a base oil because it carries color, odor and a resinous fraction of coumarins and triterpenoids that varies from lot to lot. The four items below are settled on the sample before the formula is approved.
Color
Five oils from five sources were yellow, green or brown (Leguillier et al., 2015); a green or brown lot tints a white cream. The incoming specification records an accepted color range compared with a retained sample; the cream's color stability is tested under light.
Odor
A strong nutty odor and high viscosity are the oil's two main drawbacks (Krishnappa et al., 2024). The tamanu oil level is set by sensory testing and blended with neutral oils; if a masking fragrance is used, keep it low because the cream stays on a large skin area, and declare fragrance allergens for the target market (EU exports: above 0.001% in leave-on products). In a fragrance-free version the oil's odor is clearly noticeable.
Oxidation
Linoleic acid makes up about 24–30% of the oil's fatty acids (Leguillier 2015; Fratianni 2025). No verified study has measured tamanu oil's oxidative stability for cosmetics, so the measures follow from its composition: peroxide value at intake, tocopherol, EDTA and light-protective packaging; the oil goes into the oil phase without prolonged heating.
Composition varies by lot
The oil is about 70–80% triglycerides and 15–20% a resinous fraction containing calophyllolide, inophyllum and other coumarins (Cassien 2021, review section); composition differs with seed source and processing. The COA states origin, cold-pressed or refined, color, acid value and peroxide value; calophyllolide content is cited only when the supplier quantifies it. Refined oil may be poorer in the resinous fraction (inference, no comparative study yet).
Three formulation directions
Three formats of tamanu body cream
Tamanu–shea butter cream
A medium-thick cream for dry, rough areas on elbows and shins in the dry season: tamanu oil, shea butter, MCT oil, glycerin. Tube or jar.
Fast-absorbing tamanu lotion
Low oil content, thickened with carbomer or xanthan gum; sets quickly, suited to hot, humid climates and whole-body use. Pump bottle.
PEG-free olive-based cream
Cetearyl olivate replaces the PEG system for plant-derived positioning; a thicker texture that needs stability checks on the finished product.
Packaging is designed with the formula
Light-protective tubes or pump bottles limit light and air contact with the unsaturated oil; jars expose the cream to fingers and air more at every use. Viscosity must suit the pump.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D team measures on every sample
Below are the parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up to production. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- pH
- Measured at 25 °C; kept within the stable range of the chosen emulsifier and preservative systems.
- Viscosity
- Measured with a rotational viscometer at 25 °C; it determines pumpability and spread over a large area.
- Emulsion stability
- Centrifugation, freeze–thaw cycling and storage at 40 °C; separation, color change and odor change are tracked.
- Color and odor
- Compared with the reference sample at room temperature, 40 °C and under light; a gradually darkening cream or a rancid odor means the oil level, antioxidants or packaging need review.
- Tamanu oil at intake
- Color against the retained sample, acid value and peroxide value per the COA for each lot.
- Microbiology and preservative challenge
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy test to ISO 11930.
- Skin evaluation
- Set time, tackiness and residual odor on skin; irritation testing on volunteers before sign-off, since tolerance data for tamanu oil in people are very limited.
- Packaging compatibility
- Filled into the actual tube or bottle; pump force, clogging, staining and odor uptake are checked.
Claims
Claims at the level of softening the skin
No human trial has measured skin hydration, barrier function or scar appearance with tamanu oil; the wound data come from cell cultures and rats. Annex 03-MP of Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT lists "scar removal" among examples of benefits not accepted for skin-care products. Butter-C reviews the wording on the label and marketing materials as soon as the notification dossier is prepared.
Softens skin, helps dry, rough areas feel softer
Instead of: fading scars, fading stretch marks, skin regeneration, healing wounds or burns.
Moisturizes dry skin (through glycerin and the cream base)
Instead of: repairing damaged skin. Hydration figures are stated only after measurement on the finished product.
Oil pressed from tamanu seeds; "cold-pressed" when the COA confirms it
Instead of: "folk remedy for the skin", benefits on burns, pain relief. The tamanu tree story is told as culture, with no medical benefit attached.
A body cream: daytime still needs sun protection
Instead of: sunscreen, "natural SPF". Tamanu oil absorbs some UVB but is not on ASEAN Annex VII, and its in vitro SPF drops sharply after a photostability test (Popiol-Adamska 2026).
No claims about bacteria, acne or inflammation
Instead of: claims of acting on bacteria, promises about back acne, eczema or atopic dermatitis; the bacterial data are in vitro.
Label notes
Cases of contact allergy to tamanu oil have been reported: test on a small area of skin first, and do not use if you have reacted to tamanu oil before; do not apply to open wounds or burns, which need medical care; stop use if redness or itching occurs; pregnant or breastfeeding women should ask a doctor. The oil comes from seed kernels, so the product should not be placed in a "nut-oil-free" line. Label content is agreed with you.
Manufacturing specifications
Current capabilities
- Texture
- Medium-thick cream or thin lotion; ivory white to faintly green depending on the level and lot of tamanu oil.
- Pack formats
- Tubes, light-protective pump bottles, jars. Volume agreed when packaging is selected.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order, depending on the formula direction, fragrance and pack format chosen.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; certificate of analysis delivered with every batch.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and notification dossier prepared by Butter-C, with a tamanu oil COA stating the seed as the plant part and the pressing method.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Tamanu–shea butter body cream for dry, rough skin
A product concept to help you picture the possibilities, not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is developed to match your brand positioning and price range.
Tamanu oil
At a low level set by color and odor: enough for the tamanu story while the cream keeps a light ivory tint.
Shea butter and MCT oil
Butter for body and a nourishing feel; MCT oil dilutes the odor and keeps the cream from feeling heavy.
Glycerin, tocopherol
Glycerin holds water in the stratum corneum; tocopherol protects the oil phase from oxidation.
200 ml light-protective tube
Limits light and air; the label carries a note to test on a small area of skin first.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can serve very different customer groups depending on the brand. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our team of pharmacists will develop a matching formula.
Tamanu oil level
A light story in a near-white cream, or a higher level that accepts a greenish tint and a clear oil odor.
Scent
Fragrance-free (natural oil odor), a very light masking fragrance, or your brand's own fragrance with fragrance allergens declared.
Texture
Thick cream for dry, rough skin or thin lotion for the whole body.
Emulsifier system
A familiar PEG-based system or a PEG-free olive-based version.
Packaging
Tube, pump bottle or jar; retail or family size.
Ingredient direction
Vegan, paraben-free, silicone-free, mineral-oil-free; please state these from the start so suitable raw materials can be selected.
Further reading
Related topics
Tamanu oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil) in cosmetics
Composition, level of evidence, UV absorption, contact allergy and ASEAN regulation of tamanu oil (in Vietnamese).
Body lotion OEM/ODM manufacturing
The general body lotion page: fast absorption, no stickiness, moisturizing and brightening lines.
Choosing oils in formulation
Oxidative stability, odor and skin feel of each oil group (in Vietnamese).
Cetearyl olivate in cosmetics
An olive-derived emulsifier for the PEG-free cream (in Vietnamese).
Body butter OEM/ODM manufacturing
A rich anhydrous line that can also feature tamanu oil as the named oil.
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details (in Vietnamese) →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
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