Collection: CO2 Extracts

CO₂ extracts are plant extracts obtained through supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) extraction. This method uses CO₂ under controlled temperature and pressure to extract beneficial compounds from botanicals. Unlike steam distillation, which is used for essential oils, CO₂ extraction works at lower temperatures, preserving more of the delicate, heat-sensitive plant constituents. This means you get a broader spectrum of beneficial compounds, including antioxidants, lipophilic (fat-loving) compounds, and even some waxes and resins that don’t make it into traditional essential oils.

How Are They Different from Essential Oils?

Extraction Method: Essential oils are distilled using water or steam, while CO₂ extracts use pressurised carbon dioxide, which acts as a solvent that gently pulls out plant compounds.

Fuller Botanical Profile: CO₂ extracts often contain a wider range of plant components, including heavier molecules that don’t survive steam distillation. This means they can be closer in composition to the raw plant itself.

Stronger Aroma and Potency: Due to their richer composition, CO₂ extracts tend to have a deeper, more well-rounded scent and stronger therapeutic properties.

No Heat Damage: The lower temperatures used in CO₂ extraction help preserve fragile components, making the extract more bioavailable and effective.

CO₂ Select vs Total Extracts

Supercritical CO₂ extraction can be tuned to pull out different plant compounds by changing pressure and temperature.

Select extract: Selective extraction uses lower pressure, capturing mainly light volatile molecules like terpenes. The extract is thin and aromatic, low in waxes and close to an essential oil but more complete. It smells true to the plant, dissolves easily, and suits perfumery, aromatherapy, and light skincare. Yield is lower and it lacks heavier bioactives.

Total extract: Total extraction uses higher pressure, extracting volatiles plus heavier lipids, waxes, resins, and pigments. The result is thick, rich, and bioactive, often requiring gentle warming to work with. It delivers fatty acids, sterols, and antioxidants that support skin repair, but can be harder to formulate with and oxidises faster.

Key differences

• Select is light, fragrant, low yield, and easy to use.
• Total is heavy, nutrient dense, sticky, with a higher yield.

In formulations

• Select behaves like an aromatic active.
• Total behaves like a whole plant active.

Why Are CO₂ Extracts Ideal for Skincare?

Because CO₂ extracts capture a broader spectrum of plant compounds, they are incredibly beneficial in skincare formulations. Here’s why they’re a great addition to your routine:

• High Potency: With more active constituents intact, these extracts can deliver more concentrated benefits compared to essential oils or infused oils.
• Greater Skin Compatibility: CO₂ extracts often include soothing and anti-inflammatory compounds like phytosterols and lipids, making them gentler on the skin than some essential oils.
• Richer Aromatics: The full-bodied scent of CO₂ extracts gives products a more luxurious and true-to-plant aroma.
• Enhanced Stability: They tend to be more shelf-stable than some essential oils, reducing oxidation and extending their potency over time.

Popular CO₂ Extracts in Botanical Skincare

• Calendula CO₂ – Packed with healing and anti-inflammatory compounds, great for sensitive and irritated skin.
• Arnica CO₂ – Ideal for muscle relief, bruising, and inflammation.
• Rosehip CO₂ – Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids for skin rejuvenation.
• Chamomile CO₂ – Exceptionally soothing for sensitive or inflamed skin.
• Frankincense CO₂ – Known for its regenerative and anti-aging properties.

How to Use CO₂ Extracts Safely

Like essential oils, CO₂ extracts are highly concentrated, so they should be used with care. Most need to be diluted in a carrier oil before applying to the skin. A safe starting dilution is around 0.5–2% in a carrier oil for topical use.

Are CO₂ Extracts Right for You?

If you love natural skincare and want potent, plant-based ingredients that deliver real results, CO₂ extracts are worth exploring. They offer a more complete and powerful way to harness botanical benefits without the downsides of traditional extraction methods.

At Zurma Botanical Oil Studio, we’re passionate about offering the highest-quality CO₂ extracts to enhance your skincare formulations and wellness rituals. Whether you're looking for something soothing, revitalising, or deeply nourishing, CO₂ extracts are a natural choice that stands out.