GARLIC INFUSED IN SUNFLOWER OIL

Garlic Macerate: What It Is, Uses and Bulk Supply

Garlic macerate is a preparation obtained by macerating garlic cloves in oil, a traditional technique that transfers part of the active compounds from the bulb into a stable lipid carrier. The resulting product is a familiar raw material in artisan cosmetics, particularly in haircare formulations and certain skincare applications. In this guide for B2B buyers we cover what garlic macerate is, how it is prepared, the queries our customers send us about its uses, the main applications in cosmetic formulation, and the criteria that matter when sourcing it in bulk. Royal Bio supplies garlic macerate to cosmetic laboratories, indie brands and artisan workshops across Europe.

What is garlic macerate?

Garlic macerate is a preparation obtained by macerating garlic cloves in oil. The technique allows for the extraction of active compounds from the garlic — such as allicin and antioxidants — into the lipid phase, where they remain stable and easy to incorporate into cosmetic formulations.

Maceration is one of the oldest extraction techniques in natural cosmetics and herbalism. It does not involve heat-intensive distillation, so it preserves the lipid-soluble fraction of the plant material in a way that is well suited to oil-based and balm-style products.

In cosmetic use, what reaches the formulator is the oil itself, after the plant material has been removed by filtration. The macerate is therefore an oil that carries the lipid-soluble compounds of garlic, not a fresh garlic preparation.

How is garlic macerate prepared?

The process starts with selecting good-quality garlic cloves and a stable carrier oil. The cloves are placed in the oil and left to macerate over a controlled period, allowing the lipid-soluble fraction to transfer into the oil.

After maceration, the plant material is filtered out, leaving a clear oil that can be standardised, analysed and packaged for cosmetic use. The carrier oil chosen for maceration influences the sensory profile, the stability and the application of the final macerate.

From a sourcing perspective, what matters to a cosmetic formulator is consistency between batches: a macerate that delivers the same olfactive and analytical profile from one delivery to the next, supported by a clear CoA and a stable carrier.

Main uses of garlic macerate in cosmetics

Haircare formulations. Garlic macerate has cosmetic applications in haircare products. It is commonly incorporated into scalp oils, hair masks and pre-shampoo treatments where an oil-based vehicle with the lipid-soluble fraction of garlic is wanted.

Skincare products. It also has cosmetic applications in skincare products, where it is used as part of oil blends, balms and similar formulations. As with all macerates, dosage and combination with other ingredients are set during the formulation stage.

Artisan cosmetic blends. Indie brands and artisan workshops use garlic macerate as a distinguishing component in product lines that lean into traditional botanical preparations. The macerate format keeps the workflow simple: it behaves like an oil on the production line.

Component of broader oil blends. It is rarely used on its own. In practice, formulators combine it with other carrier oils, macerates and active ingredients to build a product that meets the desired sensory and functional brief.

How to choose garlic macerate for your formulation

When sourcing garlic macerate, the most important questions are about the carrier oil, the maceration process and the documentation that accompanies each lot. A clear CoA, INCI line and safety information are essential for any cosmetic raw material used in EU-regulated products.

CAS: 8000-78-0. EINECS: 283-406-2. INCI: Helianthus annuus Seed Oil, Allium Sativum Bulb Oil.