You may have heard of tamanu oil? If not, it’s time to remember it. This beauty oil could be the next it-oil.
Contents:
- What is tamanu oil?
- 8 benefits of tamanu oil
- Disadvantages of tamanu oil
- 8 ways to use tamanu oil
- ReviewMy sagging skinSmall blemishesMy eczemaFinal thoughts
- My dry skin
- My saggy skin
- Small blemishes
- My eczema
- Final note
What is tamanu oil?
Tamanu oil is a rich and potent nut oil usually pressed from the seeds of the Tamanu trees, but also from their nuts. The trees grow in Asia and Australia.
The oil itself has a yellow-green color with a distinct nutty scent. What makes tamanu oil special is:
- its unique composition of fatty acids
- that it contains potent antioxidants
- that it has anti-inflammatory properties
- that it has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5 (where 0 does not clog pores at all)
These properties make tamanu oil a very useful ingredient in skincare products, especially since it has been shown to be effective on the skin even in low concentrations and diluted form.
8 benefits of tamanu oil
1. Moisturizes and rebuilds the skin barrier
What distinguishes tamanu oil is its rich content of fatty acids compared to other oils.
The oil is especially rich in omega 9, 6, and 3. It softens, moisturizes, strengthens the skin barrier, and is therefore beneficial for dry skin.
2. Protects against free radicals
Tamanu oil naturally contains potent antioxidants and polyphenols, which protect against oxidative stress caused by air pollution and sunlight.
3. Stimulates collagen formation
The reason tamanu oil is a popular anti-aging ingredient is that it promotes the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).
A well-known GAG is hyaluronic acid. GAGs are essential for collagen and elastin formation. Together, these make the skin elastic, firm, and promote damaged skin.
4. Smooths wrinkles
As a result of tamanu oil protecting against free radicals, UV damage, and stimulating collagen production, fine lines are smoothed out.
Additionally, studies have shown that tamanu oil can absorb UV rays across a fairly broad spectrum. However, more studies are needed to confirm its UV protection.
5. Regenerating
Since tamanu oil repairs the skin, it also has some effect on scarring and stretch marks. Existing scars and stretch marks can be reduced and uneven skin smoothed out.
6. Antibacterial properties
Tamanu oil is also widely used on acne-prone skin. It has been shown to counteract the bacteria that cause acne (p. acnes and p. granulosum). The oil can therefore help with inflammatory acne.
7. Anti-inflammatory properties
For centuries, tamanu oil has been used on various skin problem areas.
The oil contains the anti-inflammatory compound calophyllolide, which may explain tamanu oil's positive effect on inflamed eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, red and irritated skin, fungal infections, and similar conditions.
Note that tamanu oil cannot replace medication. Always consult a doctor if your skin problems do not improve.
Disadvantages of tamanu oil
Tamanu oil is a fantastic oil with many uses. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Tamanu oil:
- has a scent that can be difficult to appreciate, especially if you are not used to nutty and herbal scents. You either like the scent or not at all.
- is toxic to eat and should therefore only be used topically on the skin. Keep the oil out of reach of children.
- is a nut oil, so it is not suitable for nut allergy sufferers.
- is very active, which can irritate sensitive skin. Try diluting tamanu oil with a mild oil like almond oil.
- has a fairly low comedogenic effect on the skin. Despite this, those who easily get clogged skin may have negative results from the oil.
- To still benefit from tamanu oil’s advantages, you can dilute it with an oil that rates between 0-1 on the comedogenic scale. Examples of such oils are argan oil, hemp seed oil, and safflower oil.
8 ways to use tamanu oil
There are many different ways to use tamanu oil. We list the most common ways you can benefit from the oil’s advantages. Remember that the oil is for external use only and you should always seek medical care for skin diseases and skin problems that do not heal.
1. Facial oil
The most popular way is to use tamanu oil as a facial oil – in its pure form or diluted with another oil or cream. As a facial oil, tamanu oil suits:
- skin with early signs of aging
- mature skin
- dry skin
- inflamed skin
- acne-prone skin
- skin with a weak skin barrier
2. Skin booster
Since tamanu oil is both potent and active, it can be used to boost your skincare products.
Simply mix a few drops of tamanu oil with your facial oil, face cream, or DIY face mask.
3. Lightening oil
Use tamanu oil to reduce acne scars and scarring. The oil may also have some effect on uneven skin texture.
4. After shave oil
Apply to the skin after shaving to prevent inflamed hair follicles, especially with ingrown hairs.
5. Hair oil
As a hair oil, tamanu oil provides moisture and shine to the hair and reduces tangling.
6. Scalp oil
Try tamanu oil on dry scalp, dandruff, inflammation, infection, itching, and slow/poor hair growth.
Apply tamanu oil to the scalp and massage for 10 minutes. Then wash the oil out with a skin-friendly shampoo.
7. Deodorant
Tamanu oil can be applied in the armpit to reduce bacteria that cause unpleasant sweat odor.
8. Foot oil
Try applying tamanu oil to your feet for athlete's foot.
Review
Photo taken by @ecobyanna
I have tested Tamanu oil from Fushi for 4 weeks and I am completely sold!
It is worth knowing that I have dry and eczema-prone 41-year-old skin. I used the Tamanu oil morning and evening at first, then later only in the evening routine.
Regarding the scent, I am among those who love it – such a lovely scent combination of nut and herbs.
My dry skin
Although tamanu oil is considered a heavy oil, it was absorbed immediately by my dry skin.
During the first week, the feeling afterward was a bit dry and tight despite two consecutive applications of the oil. The skin looked almost matte, which is strange for an oil that is supposed to be good at nourishing dry skin.
By my second week, tamanu oil had difficulty absorbing. My dry skin was simply saturated, supple, and no longer dry. I then needed much less tamanu oil to moisturize my face.
Here we have an excellent example of a vegetable oil that on its own can quickly treat very dry skin.
My saggy skin
Already after one application in the evening, I noticed in the morning that the skin was firmer. The skin became noticeably more elastic, which I found hard to believe.
I therefore stopped using tamanu oil and let my skin rest for a week.
When I reintroduced tamanu oil, I got the same result. The skin became less saggy after just one application and gradually looked smoother and firmer.
It gave the face a mini lift, which probably only I noticed, but still! I was very impressed, and that doesn’t happen too often, I might add.
Small blemishes
In my youth, I had a lot of acne and foolishly sunbathed a lot without sun protection.
My skin is anything but perfect. Nothing major that bothers me, but there are small blemishes that adorn my face.
Tamanu oil had no immediate effect on these skin imperfections, but after 1-2 weeks I noticed that the skin looked clearer and the need for foundation was less.
Oh, what a joy!
My eczema
Conveniently, I was out of balance when I tried tamanu oil.
I had very troublesome, flare-up eczema and psoriasis on my body that wouldn’t go away.
When I used tamanu oil, it didn’t remove the eczema but soothed it enough to give me peace of mind.
Therefore, be patient when applying tamanu oil to problematic skin. It takes time to strengthen the skin barrier.
Final note
After my 4-week trial period, I tested other products and really missed the tamanu oil. Now it is part of my standard routine as I can't be without it for too long.
With regular use of tamanu oil, I feel that the skin becomes saturated with it. Nowadays, just a couple of drops of tamanu oil in the evening along with another facial oil or face cream is enough.
If you want to try tamanu oil, make sure you buy one that is pure, organic, cold-pressed, and free from additives.
The Tamanu oil from Fushi is a high-quality one, freshly pressed from the season's harvest to preserve all the oil's beneficial properties.
