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In short: Siberian pine oil (Pinus sibirica) is not an essential oil but a carrier oil cold-pressed from pine nuts. It has a delicate nutty scent, is used undiluted on the skin and serves as a base into which essential oils are dropped. It contains the rare pinolenic acid and goes rancid faster, so it belongs in the fridge.
| Latin name | Pinus sibirica (Siberian pine, popularly "Siberian cedar") |
|---|---|
| Part of the plant and extraction | seed kernels (pine nuts), cold pressing |
| Type of oil | carrier (vegetable) oil, not essential |
| Special feature of composition | pinolenic acid, 18.3 % of fatty acids in one analysed oil |
| Use on the skin | undiluted, a few drops; as a base for essential oils 1–2 % |
| Shelf life | in the fridge after opening, use within 3–6 months |
Anyone looking for "Siberian pine" in the essential oils section usually expects the scent of conifer needles. In the bottle, however, they find a golden oil that smells more of nuts. That is not a fault of the batch: Siberian pine oil is not pressed from needles but from pine nut kernels. It is a carrier oil, like jojoba or argan.
For the scent of the forest you need an essential oil from pine or fir. Siberian pine oil, on the other hand, is an ideal base into which to drop them. In this article we explain the difference, how to use the oil and how to store it.
Essential or Carrier? A Difference Worth Knowing
| Siberian pine oil | Pine essential oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Pinus sibirica | Pinus sylvestris |
| Made from | seeds (pine nuts) | needles and twigs |
| Method | cold pressing | steam distillation |
| Composition | fats (triglycerides of fatty acids) | volatile terpenes (pinene, carene, limonene) |
| Scent | delicate, nutty, slightly resinous | strong, coniferous |
| On the skin | undiluted | only diluted, 1–2 % |
| In a diffuser | no | yes |
A carrier oil does not go in a diffuser: it does not evaporate, it clogs the membrane and it burns in an oil burner. You can find out more about how carrier oils work and how they differ in the article carrier oils from A to Z.
Why It Is Called "Cedar Oil"
The Siberian pine is popularly called "Siberian cedar" in Russia, and the oil from its nuts is sold there as "cedar oil". It has nothing to do with true cedars (Cedrus) or with cedar essential oil. So if you come across "Siberian cedar oil", it is most likely the same carrier oil from nuts, not a woody essential oil like our Himalayan cedar.
What Is in Pine Nut Oil
Pine nut oil consists predominantly of unsaturated fatty acids. A special feature is pinolenic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is practically not found anywhere other than in oils from edible pine seeds. A study in the Journal of Oleo Science (2018) worked with an oil from Siberian pine nuts that contained 18.3 % by weight of it.
For the skin this means a light oil that spreads well and is absorbed faster than heavy oils such as coconut. At the same time it means faster oxidation: the more unsaturated bonds, the sooner the oil goes rancid. We will not promise you any specific properties for the complexion; clinical data for cosmetic use are lacking.
How to Use Siberian Pine Oil
| Use | How | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Dry skin on the body | a few drops on damp skin after a shower | spread it in, blot the excess with a towel |
| Hands and cuticles | 1 drop per nail, massage in | in the evening, before bed |
| Hair ends | 1–2 drops spread in the palms | only on the lengths, not near the roots |
| Massage base | on its own or 1 : 1 with jojoba | a blend with jojoba lasts longer |
| Carrier for essential oils | 1–2 %: 2–4 drops of EO per 10 ml | mix only a small amount for a few weeks |
Forest Massage Oil Step by Step
- Into a clean 30 ml dark bottle pour 15 ml of Siberian pine oil and 15 ml of jojoba. Jojoba is stable and extends the shelf life of the blend.
- Add 6 drops of fir, 4 drops of Himalayan cedar and 2 drops of lavender (12 drops in total, or 2 %).
- Shake and patch test on the forearm for 24 hours.
- Store in the fridge and use within 6 weeks.
Other Combinations
- Evening hand oil (10 ml, 1 %): 10 ml of Siberian pine oil, 2 drops of lavender.
- After the sauna (30 ml, 1 %): 30 ml of oil, 3 drops of pine, 3 drops of orange.
- Fragrance-free: for sensitive skin use the oil on its own.
How to dilute essential oils for the complexion and when it is better to leave them out is summarised in the article essential oils for the skin.
Storage: This Oil Belongs in the Fridge
- Store unopened in a cool, dark place, opened in the fridge.
- Use within 3–6 months of opening.
- You can recognise a rancid oil by its bitter, "oily" or even fishy smell. Do not use such an oil on the skin any more, as oxidised fats irritate the skin.
- Mix blends with essential oils in small batches; do not make a year's supply.
Safety
- Allergy to pine nuts or other nuts: do not use the oil, or only after a test on a small area and after consulting an allergist.
- Internal use: at Pěstík it is a cosmetic raw material, not a food. Do not drink it and do not use it for cooking.
- Children: the carrier oil on its own is gentle, but as soon as you add essential oils the children's rules apply: up to 2 years max. 0.5 %, 2–6 years 0.5–1 %. Do not apply conifers and their blends to the skin of children under 6. Details in the article essential oils and children.
- Animals: the oil on its own is not a problem, but blends with conifers are risky for cats. Do not apply them to fur or to places the cat licks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Siberian pine oil an essential oil?
No. It is a carrier oil cold-pressed from pine nuts. Pine essential oil is distilled from needles and is used in a completely different way.
Can I put Siberian pine oil in a diffuser?
No, carrier oils do not evaporate and will clog the diffuser. Pine or fir essential oil belongs in a diffuser.
Is Siberian cedar oil the same as Siberian pine oil?
Mostly yes. Pinus sibirica is popularly called Siberian cedar in Russia and the oil from its nuts is sold as cedar oil. It has nothing to do with cedar essential oil.
How long does pine nut oil last?
After opening, roughly 3–6 months in the fridge. If it starts to smell bitter or rancid, throw it away.
Can I use Siberian pine oil on the face?
Yes, a few drops on damp skin, as long as you are not allergic to nuts. If you are prone to acne, start carefully and watch the reaction.
Recommended Products
- BIO Siberian pine 10 ml – a cold-pressed carrier oil from Pinus sibirica pine nuts.
- BIO Jojoba 10 ml – a stable carrier oil that makes the blend last longer.
- BIO Silver fir, essential oil 10 ml – adds a forest scent to a massage blend.
- BIO Pine, essential oil 10 ml – for those who wanted the real scent of pine.
- BIO Lavender, essential oil 10 ml – a delicate scent for evening hand oil.
Sources
- Chung M.-Y., Kim I.-H., Kim B.-H.: Preparation of Pinolenic Acid Concentrates from Pine Nut Oil Fatty Acids by Solvent Fractionation, Journal of Oleo Science 2018 – PubMed 30404957
- Tisserand Institute: Safety Guidelines (dilution by age) – tisserandinstitute.org
- Tisserand R., Young R.: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone 2014.
Updated: 27 September 2026
Author: Jana Vránová, editorial name of the Pěstík.cz team. She writes about the garden, herbs and essential oils. We take safety and dosage information from specialist literature and official sources, which we list for every article.