Understanding Common Oil Processing Claims

Cold-Pressed, Expeller-Pressed, and Hexane-Free: What These Botanical Oil Processing Claims Mean

If you've ever read the ingredient story behind a skincare product, you've probably encountered terms like cold-pressed, expeller-pressed, or hexane-free. These processing claims are commonly used to describe how botanical oils were extracted before being incorporated into a formulation.

They often appear on product packaging, websites, marketing materials, and ingredient specifications.

While the terms may sound straightforward, they are not standardized across the cosmetic industry. Definitions can vary between suppliers, manufacturers, and ingredient sources.

Understanding what these claims generally mean—and the types of documentation that may support them—can provide valuable context for how they are defined, documented, and communicated.

This article explains the general meaning of each term, the types of documentation commonly associated with them, and why documentation plays an important role in ingredient transparency.

Why Processing Methods Matter

Many skincare oils begin as seeds, nuts, kernels, or other plant materials. Extracting oil from these raw materials requires a production process, and the extraction method can influence the characteristics of the finished ingredient.

Processing methods may affect:

• Temperature exposure during extraction

• Mechanical pressure applied to the source material

• Whether solvents are used

• Refining, deodorizing, or bleaching steps after extraction

• The resulting properties of the finished oil

Because botanical oils are widely used in facial oils, moisturizers, balms, serums, cleansers, and other skincare products, processing claims have become increasingly common in ingredient marketing.

For this reason, many brands choose to highlight how an oil was produced as part of their ingredient story. In some cases, processing claims may also influence purchasing decisions for consumers, retailers, formulators, and wholesale buyers seeking greater transparency into ingredient sourcing.

What Does “Cold-Pressed” Mean?

Cold-pressed generally refers to a mechanical extraction process in which oil is pressed from plant material without the intentional application of high external heat during extraction.

The term is often associated with botanical oils that are processed under conditions intended to minimize heat exposure.

One important detail: there is no single industry-wide definition of cold-pressed within the cosmetics sector. Some suppliers specify temperature limits, while others use internal manufacturing standards to define the term. The exact meaning depends on how the supplier defines and documents the process.

Why Brands Use Cold-Pressed Oils

Brands may choose cold-pressed oils because lower-temperature processing is often viewed as a way to preserve the natural characteristics of the original plant material.

However, the meaning of the claim depends on how the supplier defines and documents it.

Documentation That May Support a Cold-Pressed Claim

Examples of supporting documentation may include:

• Supplier processing statements

• Ingredient specifications

• Technical data sheets

• Manufacturing records

• Supplier declarations describing extraction conditions

Because definitions vary, supplier documentation often provides more meaningful context than the claim language alone.

What Does "Expeller-Pressed" Mean?

Expeller-pressed refers to a mechanical extraction process that uses pressure to remove oil from seeds, nuts, or kernels. Unlike solvent extraction, expeller pressing relies on physical force rather than chemical solvents.

A common misconception is that expeller-pressed and cold-pressed mean the same thing. They do not.

During expeller pressing, friction generated by the equipment can produce heat.

Depending on the process, an oil may be expeller-pressed without meeting a supplier's definition of cold-pressed. One term describes how the oil was extracted mechanically, while the other describes how temperature was managed during extraction.

Documentation That May Support an Expeller-Pressed Claim

Examples of supporting documentation may include:

• Supplier extraction-method statements

• Technical specifications

• Manufacturing descriptions

• Ingredient processing records

What Does "Hexane-Free" Mean?

Hexane is a solvent commonly used in large-scale oil extraction. When an ingredient is described as hexane-free, it generally indicates that hexane was not used during the extraction process.

Hexane-free describes the absence of a specific solvent. It does not indicate whether the oil was refined, deodorized, bleached, or otherwise processed after extraction.

For brands making hexane-free claims alongside other processing claims, each claim should be supported by documentation relevant to that specific claim.

Documentation That May Support a Hexane-Free Claim

Examples of supporting documentation may include:

• Supplier declarations

• Manufacturing descriptions

• Ingredient specifications

• Process documentation identifying the extraction method used

Why Documentation Matters

Documentation does not establish a universal definition for a claim.

Documentation provides context for how a claim is being defined, communicated, and supported.

When brands communicate ingredient-processing claims, documentation creates an evidence trail connecting those claims to supplier records, manufacturing information, and technical specifications.

Examples of documentation commonly associated with processing claims include:

• Supplier processing statements

• Ingredient specifications

• Technical data sheets

• Manufacturing descriptions

• Certificates of Analysis (COAs)

Different documents serve different purposes. Certificates of Analysis typically describe the characteristics of a specific batch. Supplier specifications and manufacturing records often provide information about extraction and processing methods.

When documentation is available and appears consistent with a claim, it helps create greater clarity around how the ingredient is being described.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cold-pressed better than expeller-pressed?

Not necessarily. These terms describe different aspects of production. Cold-pressed generally relates to temperature management during extraction, while expeller-pressed describes the mechanical extraction method itself.

Can an oil be both cold-pressed and expeller-pressed?

Yes. Depending on the equipment and manufacturing process, an oil may be mechanically expeller-pressed under conditions that a supplier also defines as cold-pressed.

Does hexane-free mean an oil is unrefined?

No. Hexane-free indicates that hexane was not used during extraction. Additional refining or processing steps may still occur after extraction.

What documents are commonly used to support processing claims?

Supplier specifications, technical data sheets, manufacturing descriptions, supplier declarations, and other production records may provide information relevant to processing claims.

As interest in ingredient transparency continues to grow, documentation plays an increasingly important role in helping brands communicate claims clearly and consistently.

How The Skincare Bureau™ Reviews Processing Claims

Processing claims are among the most common claims submitted for review through The Skincare Bureau™.

When a participating brand submits a claim such as cold-pressed, expeller-pressed, or hexane-free, the review focuses on the documentation associated with that claim.

The purpose of the review is not to determine whether a product is superior, safer, more effective, or more natural than another product.

Rather, the review evaluates whether the submitted documentation appears consistent with the claim being communicated and provides support for the claim as presented.

This documentation-based approach differs from laboratory testing, certification programs, regulatory review, or product safety evaluations.

We do not test the finished product. We review the documentation behind the claim.

For brands seeking to strengthen transparency around ingredient sourcing and processing practices, documentation review provides an independent way to evaluate whether supporting records align with the claims being communicated.

For Consumers

When you see the TSB Verified mark on a participating product, it indicates that documentation submitted in support of the reviewed claim has undergone independent documentation review by The Skincare Bureau™.

For Brands

If your products communicate ingredient sourcing, processing, sustainability, traceability, or other documentation-supported claims, TSB Verified provides a structured review process and a way to demonstrate that the supporting documentation behind those claims has undergone independent review.

Learn How TSB Verification Works →

Apply for Verification →

The information provided by The Skincare Bureau™ is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or regulatory advice