There are many popular oils out there that promise to help care for your skin but there is one more you might have not heard of Tamanu oil.
Tamanu oil is made from the seeds of the tropical evergreen tamanu nut tree, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia. It has been used medicinally for ages by many Asian, African, and Pacific Island societies, despite the fact that it hasn’t yet emerged as the ‘it’ component in contemporary skin care.
Tamanu oil has a distinctive appearance and aroma. It has a very deep, earthy, nutty aroma in its purest form, which may be off-putting to certain people. It is also a dark green colour and thick consistency.
Read also: Benefits Of Cocoa Butter On The Skin
Benefit Of Tamanu Oil For Skin
Is fatty acid-rich
Tamanu oil is particularly advantageous for treating dry skin because it contains more fatty acids than most other oils. It has oleic and linoleic fatty acids specifically, which may provide it with potent moisturizing properties.
Possesses antimicrobial properties
It is very important to note that tamanu oil is effective in preventing p. acnes and p. granulosum, two types of acne-causing bacteria. Tamanu oil may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory acne when combined with its anti-inflammatory properties (more on that in a moment).
Provides antioxidant defence
Similarly, tamanu oil is abundant in strong antioxidants, which are essential for shielding skin from ageing-causing free radicals brought on by exposure to environmental elements like pollution and sunlight.
Has anti-inflammatory benefits
Calophyllolide, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties resembling those of hydrocortisone, is present in tamanu oil. The ability of the oil to heal wounds was also demonstrated to depend heavily on this molecule. Additionally, it suggests that the oil may be beneficial for inflammatory skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea, however, more research is still required in this area.
Tamanu Oil Side Effects
First and foremost, as this oil is made from a tree nut, avoid it if you have a nut allergy. Other than that, and assuming there isn’t a true topical allergy, it’s generally safe to use.
But there is one subject that we haven’t yet covered: the oil’s comedogenicity, or propensity to block pores. It contains both oleic and linoleic acids, in case you forgot. Tamanu oil barely has any comedogenic properties. Given that it does possess a number of benefits for treating breakouts, especially for oily or acne-prone skin, as long as you use it carefully and strategically, it should be fine.
Methods of Use
Because not all tamanu oil products are made equal, it is important to follow the instructions carefully regarding how and when to use each one. If you’re worried that you might have an adverse reaction, test a small amount on your forearm first and use it less frequently than recommended before gradually increasing it. Additionally, even though it promotes wound healing, you must never apply it to open wounds.
Read also: What Are The Benefits of Grapeseed On The Skin