Corn (Zea Mays) Oil
AKA “Zea Mays Oil”
Oil
Ingredient Facts
Corn (Zea Mays) oil
AKA: Zea Mays Oil
Oil · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Corn (Zea Mays) Oil is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Poaceae (Grass family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
223705-62-2
Form
Oil
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Conditions Skin
Antioxidant Protection
Brightens Skin
Softens & Smooths
Traditional Use
Corn oil has been used for over 5,000 years in traditional Mesoamerican skincare and medicine. Valued historically for moisturizing, anti-inflammatory properties, and as a carrier oil in indigenous beauty preparations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from Zea mays (corn)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Zea Mays (Corn) Fruit
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zea Mays Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR