When it comes to using oils for skin care, most of us are familiar with the most common ones, such as coconut oil, rosehip oil, and argan oil. But have you ever thought about using macadamia nut oil as a part of your skincare routine?
Macadamia oil is already used in cooking due to the number of nutrients it provides. Throughout the years, people have started incorporating it into their skincare routine and have reaped many benefits. In this article, we'll discuss all the potential benefits of macadamia oil and explain the best ways to use it on your skin.
What Exactly is Macadamia Oil?
First things first, let's examine where macadamia oil comes from and what it consists of so that you have a better grasp of how it works on your skin.
Macadamia seed oil is native to Australia. It's a clear, yellowish liquid derived from macadamia nuts, which you might have already tried. Even though many people are aware that macadamia nuts are good for you, not many know that their seed oil can be beneficial too.
A little-known fact about Australian macadamia oil is that its chemical profile is very similar to skin's natural oils (otherwise known as human sebum). As far as nutrition is concerned, it contains essential fatty acids and a rich antioxidant, palmitoleic acid (omega 7). Palmitoleic acid can help the skin immensely, providing hydration for keeping skin supple and even improving hyperpigmentation.
It also contains omega-6 linoleic acid. If you didn't know, linoleic acid helps improve our own natural moisture balance, which is great news for people with oily skin. Research shows that it can repair the skin's barrier function.
When applied to the skin, it's lightweight and doesn't leave you with a greasy or heavy complexion. Now you know all about the actual texture of this oil, can macadamia seed oil help your skin?
Benefits of Macadamia Oil for Skin
Have you ever wanted to start using an oil in your skincare routine but didn't know which one to choose? Look no further than macadamia! The skin benefits of macadamia oil cannot be understated, and here's why.
Due to its unique nutritional profile and a healthy balance of fatty acids, macadamia oil is incredibly beneficial for the skin. Here are all the skin benefits of incorporating macadamia nut seed oil into your everyday routine.
Macadamia Oil Provides Hydration Without Clogging Your Pores
All of us desire to have hydrated and healthy skin. However, many products on the market cause your skin to break out by clogging your pores. Fortunately, macadamia oil, as we mentioned previously, contains a similar texture to our own skin's natural sebum, making it non-comedogenic. All this means is it scores low on the comedogenic scale, which indicates whether a certain product can cause congestion on your skin.
When applied to the skin, macadamia oil provides intense moisture without feeling too heavy. In addition, it's light and non-greasy, making it a perfect companion for those with oily skin who are afraid of putting additional oil on the face.
Wondering which substance gives macadamia oil this powerful moisturizing quality? It's called oleic acid, and in addition to moisturizing the skin, it also contains anti-inflammatory properties - but more on that later.
When you apply a substance to your face, it's not the amount of product that counts but how deeply the product penetrates the skin. Can it supply the deeper levels with all the beneficial ingredients it needs?
This is where phytosterols come into play. Phytosterols enhance the penetration of the product through the most protective skin barrier, making it much more effective. And it just so happens that macadamia oil is a potent source of phytosterols. Pretty amazing, right?
Macadamia Oil is Full of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are all the rage nowadays - not just in the skincare community. Whenever we look, there seems to be somebody shilling the newest antioxidant cream or dish that contains a myriad of antioxidants. But have you ever wondered why this is?
Well, antioxidants fight off free radicals in our bodies and protect our cells from their harmful effects. In addition, prolonged exposure to free radicals might lead to more serious problems, such as skin cell damage or DNA damage. It's safe to conclude that antioxidants serve a vital role in keeping our bodies healthy and functioning.
What about the skin, though? Antioxidants are crucial for maintaining healthy skin, and they help us in more ways than one. For starters, they can protect skin against sun damage, which, in addition to causing sunspots, may also cause premature wrinkles and signs of aging. Adding them to your diet or supplementing with them will boost the regeneration of skin keratinocytes and prevent premature wrinkles and fine lines caused by external factors.
Macadamia oil contains high amounts of vitamin E, a miracle worker for many skin issues such as hyperpigmentation and scars. Since it's an antioxidant, vitamin E can also help skin cells fight free radicals, which reduces skin cell damage and protects the skin from environmental stress. It's a non-comedogenic substance that will leave your skin refreshed and glowing.
Macadamia Oil Can Renew the Skin
If your skin has been through a lot lately and you need something to speed up the healing process, look no further than macadamia oil. It contains squalane and oleic acid, both of which have the power to help speed up the cell turnover process. Squalane is a lipid that our skin cells produce naturally. So, not only will they help repair any damage to the skin, but squalane is also incredible for hydrating the skin.
Anti-aging Benefits of Macadamia Oil
Not only does macadamia oil help with any signs of aging or mature skin by providing adequate hydration - but it also contains unique substances bound to keep your skin youthful in the long run.
It has vitamins such as manganese which helps maintain steady collagen levels and promote healthy skin. Collagen is the substance that gives our skin elasticity and firmness, so it's essential to keep its levels high if you want to have younger-looking skin.
Besides manganese, macadamia oil also contains essential fatty acids that work wonders for our skin. These not only balance sebum production, but also help smooth the skin.
How to Use Macadamia Oil in Your Skincare Routine
Hopefully, we've convinced you to try out this oil for yourself. And in that case, we've got you covered.
Here's how to use macadamia oil in your skincare routine. You can use this ultimate carrier oil to dilute essential oils and create the perfect concoction for your face.
Macadamia Oil as a Face and Body Moisturizer
We've already explained all the benefits macadamia oil offers in terms of hydration, but here's how to implement it:
To use macadamia oil as a moisturizer, all you need to do is purchase pure, cold-pressed macadamia oil and gently massage it on the skin of your face and body. Macadamia oil has a formula that won't leave your skin feeling greasy, so feel free to slather it on.
Macadamia Oil as a Natural Makeup Remover
There are many ways to remove your makeup. Using oils is easy and affordable and can provide additional benefits. This tip will come in handy, especially for those of you who practice the 10-step Korean skincare routine, where double cleansing plays a big part.
Macadamia oil is non-comedogenic. This means, unlike with other oils (such as coconut oil), it won't cause breakouts, so even people with sensitive skin can use it as a makeup remover. Rub a couple of drops in the palm of your hand and massage it all over your face until the makeup comes off. Once you're done, follow it up with a cleanser of your choice. Double cleansing will ensure that your skin has no traces of makeup left.
Macadamia Oil Can be Used in a Homemade Scrub
The gift that keeps on giving, macadamia oil is a great ingredient to play around with. Choose a DIY scrub recipe and add macadamia nut oil to it. Using a scrub containing macadamia oil will help you eliminate dead skin cells and soothe dry and damaged skin. Just make sure you use a moisturizer afterward.
Macadamia Oil as a Cleanser
Macadamia nut oil also makes for an amazing cleanser. All you need to do is massage a few drops on your face, just like a regular cleanser. After massaging, wash the excess off with warm water to prevent congestion and follow up with a nourishing moisturizer.
Is Macadamia Oil Suitable for All Skin Types?
One of the most asked questions regarding any product used in skincare is whether or not it's suitable for all skin types. You're in luck - when it comes to macadamia oil, anyone can use it regardless of skin type.
People with oily and sensitive skin types can relax knowing macadamia oil is labeled non-comedogenic and won't clog pores or cause breakouts. In contrast, people with dry skin will experience all the hydrating benefits this oil offers. So, on paper, it really is suitable for everyone.
However, any product can cause an adverse reaction. That's why we recommend doing a patch test before rubbing the oil all over your face. If you don't see any negative side effects, you can continue using the oil.
However, if you experience a reaction and need to swap out macadamia for something else, try jojoba oil. Like macadamia nut oil, it has a similar profile to the skin's natural sebum and will soothe skin, keep skin hydrated, and even help repair dry hair.
Takeaway
Naturally occurring oils are tricky to incorporate into your skincare routine, but not impossible. One of the benefits of using macadamia nut oil is that it's versatile. That's right - you can get creative with it, adding it to cleansers, scrubs, and even lip balms.
Not only does it have many uses, but it also has many benefits that will help keep skin healthy and glowing. It will also soothe irritated skin and protect the skin barrier against potentially dangerous environmental factors and skin-damaging pathogens. So what are you waiting for?
References
Topical anti-inflammatory activity of palmitoleic acid improves wound healing
Macadamia Nuts Oil in Nanocream and Conventional Cream as Skin Anti-Aging
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
