• INCI Name: Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Oil — or Brassica Napus (Canola) Seed Oil
• CAS Number: 120962-03-0
• Common Names: Canola Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Canola Seed Oil
• Grade: RBD — Refined, Bleached, Deodorised
• Appearance: Pale yellow to golden clear liquid
• Odour: Neutral — characteristic oil aroma removed by RBD processing
• Specific Gravity: 0.914–0.920 g/mL @ 20°C
• Refractive Index: 1.465–1.467 @ 40°C
• Iodine Value: 94–120 (moderate — indicates good stability with mild susceptibility to oxidation)
• Saponification Value: 182–193
• Acid Value: <0.2 mgKOH/g (RBD refined)
• Peroxide Value: <2.0 meq O₂/kg
• Smoke Point (cooking): approximately 200–230°C
• Solubility: Oil soluble — add to oil phase in emulsion formulations; insoluble in water
• Shelf Life: 12–18 months from manufacture when stored correctly
• Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat
• Size: 15 Litres
• SAP Value (NaOH / cold process soap): 0.124
• SAP Value (KOH / liquid soap): 0.174

FATTY ACID PROFILE

• Oleic Acid (C18:1 / Omega 9): 55–65% — primary conditioning fatty acid; contributes skin softening and mild conditioning lather in soap
• Linoleic Acid (C18:2 / Omega 6): 18–26% — skin barrier support; moderate polyunsaturated content
• Alpha-Linolenic Acid (C18:3 / Omega 3): 8–14% — present at higher levels than most carrier oils; contributes to oxidative susceptibility; reason for moderate shelf life
• Palmitic Acid (C16:0): 3–6%
• Stearic Acid (C18:0): 1–3%
• Erucic Acid (C22:1): <2% (low erucic acid — standard for food grade canola)

The key differentiator in Canola Oil's fatty acid profile is its notable alpha-linolenic acid (ALA / Omega 3) content at 8–14% — significantly higher than olive oil (<1%), sweet almond (<1%), and most other common carrier oils. While beneficial for skin barrier support, this also makes canola more susceptible to oxidation than oleic-dominant oils. This is the primary reason to balance canola usage in soap recipes with more stable fats, and to include antioxidants in cosmetic formulations.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES

Cold Process Soap

• Canola Oil: 15–40% of total oil weight
• Canola behaves similarly to olive oil in cold process soap — contributing conditioning and mild lather
• At 15–25%: excellent supporting oil contributing conditioning without softening the bar
• At 25–40%: substantial conditioning contribution; ensure recipe includes sufficient coconut oil (25–35%) for hardness and lather
• Avoid using above 40–50% as the primary oil without significant hardening fats — bars may be slow to harden and prone to soft spots

Hot Process Soap

• Same percentages as cold process — canola handles hot process well

Lotions and Creams

• 5–20% of total formulation (oil phase) — acts as a lightweight emollient

Body Oils and Massage Oils

• 20–100% — used as a standalone or blended carrier oil; lightweight and non-greasy

Hair Treatments

• 5–20% blended with other carrier oils for scalp treatments and hair masks

Cooking

• Use as a direct food grade cooking oil for baking, frying, sautéing, and roasting

• High oleic acid content (55–65%) delivers skin conditioning, moisture retention, and a mild creamy lather in cold process soap — similar performance to olive oil at a significantly lower cost
• RBD processed to neutral odour and pale colour — no raw oil aroma, complete scent freedom in all formulations
• Contains alpha-linolenic acid (Omega 3) at 8–14% — one of the highest Omega 3 contents of any common carrier oil, supporting skin barrier function
• Lightweight texture — absorbs easily into skin without heaviness; good skin feel in lotions, body oils, and massage applications
• Highly cost-effective — one of the most affordable oleic-dominant carrier oils available in Australia, making it an excellent base oil for high-volume soap and lotion production
• Food grade — suitable for cooking, baking, and frying in keto, paleo, and conventional dietary applications
• Stable and consistent RBD quality — predictable SAP value and fatty acid profile for reliable soap and formulation results
• 15L bulk format — designed for volume users; cost-effective price per litre vs smaller quantities
• Fully miscible with all carrier oils and cosmetic esters — blends easily into any oil-phase formulation

CANOLA OIL vs OLIVE OIL IN SOAP MAKING

Canola Oil and Olive Oil are frequently compared in cold process soap making as both are predominantly oleic acid oils. Here are the key differences:

Oleic acid content: Olive oil typically 65–85% oleic; Canola 55–65% oleic. Both are conditioning oils but olive oil has a higher oleic content per litre.

Alpha-linolenic acid (Omega 3): Canola has significantly more ALA (8–14%) than olive oil (<1%). This makes canola slightly more susceptible to oxidation but also contributes more polyunsaturated skin barrier fatty acids.

Trace: Canola tends to trace faster than pure olive oil in cold process soap, which some soap makers prefer. Castile soap (100% olive oil) can take a very long time to reach trace — canola-heavy recipes are more manageable.

Cost: Canola is significantly less expensive than olive oil per litre — making it a practical and economical substitute or partial replacement in high-volume production.

Skin feel: Both produce conditioning, mild bars. Olive oil bars often have a slightly more luxurious skin feel reputation. Canola bars are excellent quality and well-tolerated — the difference in finished bar quality at 25–40% substitution is minimal.

Conclusion: Canola Oil is an excellent cost-effective substitute for part of the olive oil in any soap recipe. A common approach is to use 50% olive + 50% canola in the oleic portion of a recipe — retaining olive's reputation while reducing cost.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

• Cold process and hot process bar soap making
• Hot process soap
• Body lotions and moisturisers
• Facial creams and serums (at lower percentages)
• Massage oils and body oils
• Hair treatments and scalp oils
• Lip balms (at low percentages)
• Cooking and baking (food grade)
• High-heat frying and roasting

• Food grade and cosmetic grade — safe for direct skin contact and food applications
• Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water
• Not classified as hazardous for cosmetic or food use at standard concentrations
• Contains derivatives of Brassica napus (canola/rapeseed) — individuals with known Brassica family allergies should exercise caution; patch test recommended
• Store sealed in a cool, dark location away from heat and direct sunlight
• Moderate susceptibility to oxidation due to ALA content — include Vitamin E (tocopherol) at 0.5–1% in cosmetic formulations to extend shelf life
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not use if the oil has developed a rancid or off odour
• 15L container — handle with care; store upright in a stable location

What is RBD Canola Oil?
RBD stands for Refined, Bleached, and Deodorised. Raw canola oil from the seed press has a yellow-green colour and a characteristic grassy or mustard-like aroma. The RBD process refines out impurities, bleaches the colour to a pale yellow, and steam deodorises to remove the aroma. The result is a consistent, neutral-scented, light-coloured oil with predictable quality — the correct grade for soap making and cosmetic formulation where scent and colour control matter.

What is the SAP value of Canola Oil for cold process soap?
The NaOH SAP value is 0.124 and the KOH SAP value is 0.174. Enter 0.124 into your lye calculator for cold process bar soap. Canola Oil is listed in most soap making lye calculators — confirm the SAP value matches before finalising your recipe.

Can I substitute Canola Oil for Olive Oil in cold process soap?
Yes — canola is an excellent partial or full substitute for olive oil in cold process soap recipes. Both are predominantly oleic acid oils producing mild, conditioning bars with creamy lather. At 25–40% canola substitution for olive oil, the finished bar quality difference is minimal for most formulators while the cost saving is significant. Canola also traces faster than pure olive oil, which many soap makers prefer. For a simple substitution: replace olive oil with canola at a 1:1 ratio and re-run your lye calculation (the SAP values differ slightly — olive 0.134 vs canola 0.124).

Why is the alpha-linolenic acid content in canola important?
Canola's notably higher ALA (Omega 3) content compared to olive oil (8–14% vs <1%) has two consequences. In skin care, ALA contributes to skin barrier support and anti-inflammatory activity through prostaglandin pathways. In formulation stability, ALA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with three double bonds — more susceptible to oxidation than oleic acid. This means canola oil has a shorter shelf life than olive oil and contributes to slightly lower oxidative stability in finished soap bars. To manage this in soap, balance with more stable saturated fats (coconut oil, tallow) and avoid very high canola percentages. In cosmetic formulations, add Vitamin E at 0.5–1%.

What percentage of Canola Oil should I use in cold process soap?
The recommended range is 15–40% of total oil weight. Below 15% the conditioning contribution is minimal. At 25–35% canola contributes noticeably to skin conditioning alongside hardening oils. Above 40% the recipe may produce a softer bar that takes longer to cure — this is manageable but requires sufficient hardening fats. The classic approach is 30% canola + 30–35% coconut oil + 30–35% additional oils (olive, tallow, or shea) + 5% castor oil.

Is this Canola Oil suitable for cooking?
Yes — our Canola Oil RBD is food grade and suitable for cooking, baking, frying, sautéing, and roasting. It has a smoke point of approximately 200–230°C making it stable for most cooking applications. It is a neutral-flavoured, general-purpose cooking oil suitable for conventional, keto, and paleo dietary approaches.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED

• Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) — essential for cold process soap making with canola oil
• Castor Oil (Hexane Free) — standard 5% addition to boost lather in canola soap recipes
• 100% Australian Tallow — excellent pairing with canola oil for hard, conditioning soap bars
• Coconut Oil — essential hardening and lathering partner for canola-based soap recipes
• Shea Butter (Refined & Organic) — luxury addition to canola soap recipes for extra conditioning
• Essential Oils Collection — scent your canola oil soap bars
• Fragrance Oils — phthalate-free fragrance oils for canola soap and lotion formulations
• A Guide to Soapmaking – Digital PDF — includes carrier oil usage rates and cold process formulation guidance