1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Nutrition

What exactly is fractionated oil?

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated February 12, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Question: What exactly is fractionated oil?
Answer: Fractionated oils are fats that have had some of the saturated fatty acids removed, to make them softer, and more liquid. This is not the same as hydrogenation which forces hydrogen into oils which makes them more solid. Fractionated fats are often used in cosmetics and massage products.

More about Fractionated Oil

Trans Fat Translation

Explore Nutrition
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Nutrition
  4. Food Pyramids
  5. Fats & Oils
  6. Fractionated Oil Definition>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.