Our guide to using nut oils in your beauty routine
We are called Nuts Organic for a reason.
Nutritious nut oils are food for your skin, containing agents that nurture and heal, helping to lock in your skin’s moisture. Indeed, many nuts offer natural healing properties for dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Nut oils revitalise your face and body externally whilst simultaneously healing and repairing tissues in the deeper layers of your skin.
For thousands of years, nut oils have been used in a variety of skincare applications. Apparently King Tutankhamun went to the afterlife with a handful of almonds and newly married couples in Roman times were liberally sprinkled with nuts.
Incorporating natural ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products is nothing new thanks to the incredible array of plant-based ingredients. So, it’s time to turn nutty and welcome some amazing nut oils into your beauty regime!
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Argan oil
For centuries, argan oil has been produced in Morocco from the fruit of the Argania Spinosa tree. This oil has no known irritants and is rich in omega 6, oleic and linoleic fatty acids which provide strong moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties for dry and sensitive skin. The naturally occurring omega fatty acids help repair cell membranes and help to prevent transepidermal water loss, preventing further drying and damage to your skin.
For eczema and psoriasis suffers, such properties can prevent inflammation and alleviate itchy symptoms by restoring the lost hydration in the skin’s barrier.
Argan has relatively small molecules which allows it to absorb into your skin quickly, making it far less likely to clog pores and cause breakouts.
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Macadamia oil
This light nutrient-dense oil is found in the fruits of the macadamia tree nut (Macadamia integrifolia) and is native to the east coast of Australia. Macadamia nuts are chockfull of heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats and antioxidants.
When cold-pressed, this amber-coloured oil is rich in palmitoleic acid, omega-7 mono-unsaturated fatty acid, oleic and linoleic acids and phytosterols helping to nourish your skin whilst being non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.
Macadamia nut oil contains a balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids making it an excellent oil for even the most sensitive of skins. Rich in a rare antioxidant called squalene, macadamia oil can also help smooth fine lines and other signs of ageing.
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Almond oil
Almond oil is one of the most prolific oils used in the cosmetics and natural health industry. From massage oils to hair treatments, soaps, ointments, bath oils and makeup, you will struggle to find a product that doesn’t contain almond oil.
Extracted from the nuts of the almond tree, this oil is rich in vitamins E, B7 (biotin) and A, as well as being extremely high in oleic and linoleic acid. As a result, almond oil has a host of beauty benefits. As an emollient, it promotes smoother and more supple-looking skin and has humectant properties that help your skin retain moisture. It has a light, non-greasy texture, is gentle on the skin and is suitable for treating eczema and psoriasis.
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Kukui Nut Oil
Kukui nut oil is derived from the nuts of the kukui tree, which is native to Hawaii and is the state tree. Kukui nut oil is an extremely hydrating ingredient that seals water into your skin whilst offering anti-inflammatory, moisturising and softening benefits. This non-greasy oil is rich in linoleic, linolenic and oleic fatty acids and works to repair your skin’s natural barrier and decrease transepidermal water loss, making it the perfect oil for sensitive skin, as well as those with eczema and psoriasis.
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Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a highly saturated oil traditionally made by extracting the oil from raw coconuts or dried coconut kernels. Studies have shown that the topical application of virgin coconut oil improves hydration in the skin of eczema and psoriasis suffers.
The lauric acid in coconut oil helps reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses on your skin, helping to eliminate the risk of infection caused by scratching itchy skin and inflammatory acne.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a nutritious fatty acid or lipid that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial to skin conditions such as eczema.
While some think coconut oil clogs pores, considerable research shows that it can actually help to treat acne. Because coconut oil and its components may help reduce inflammation in your body, it may also aid in the treatment of acne. Further, numerous studies have shown that both the lauric and capric acid found in coconut oil were successful in reducing inflammation and preventing acne by killing off the acne-causing bacteria.
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Apricot oil
Apricot oil is extracted from the kernels of apricots. It is a light and easily absorbed oil that has shown to be an excellent moisturiser for dry skin due to its high level of linoleic acid and oleic acid. Packed with vitamins A, C, E, omega 3, palmitic acid, stearic acid and beta-sitosterol, it acts as an anti-inflammatory oil, highly effective to use on dry and acne-prone skin.
Soothing and a non-irritant, apricot oil is one of nature’s best natural moisturisers and helps maintain the health and strength of your skin. It increases your skin’s natural elasticity helps aid skin regeneration.
Apricot oil percolates deep into your skin providing long-lasting moisturisation. Its fatty acids act as a non-greasy emollient to nourish and restore skin making it one of nature’s best plant-based ingredients.
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Shea butter
Shea butter is fat that’s extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, native to West Africa.
It has a high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, including linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids which allows it to rapidly absorb into your skin, restoring lipids and rapidly creating a moisture-sealing barrier.
The plant esters of shea butter have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which help to minimise irritation caused by environmental factors such as dry weather, as well as inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The significant levels of vitamins A and E mean that it promotes strong antioxidant activity which helps prevent skin ageing and dull looking skin.
Being an anti-inflammatory, shea butter can significantly help skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as its emollient properties help soothe skin irritation. Studies have found that shea butter prevents bacteria from growing on your skin which potentially leads to acne.
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Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter comes from cocoa beans and these beans contain natural antioxidants that not only hydrate your skin but nourish it from within. This naturally hydrating butter is fabulous for sensitive skin as it moisturises without causing irritation.
An antioxidant powerhouse, cocoa butter is bursting with fatty acids helping hydrate your skin deeply and it helps form a protective barrier over your skin to lock in moisture. Cocoa butter also contains oleic, palmitic and stearic acids, all known to help nourish and moisturise dry skin.
Rich in natural plant compounds called phytochemicals, cocoa butter can help protect your skin against damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
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