Every family has an underdog.
In the case of natural oils, that’s Tamanu oil. Bet you’ve never heard of it, huh?
Tamanu oil ain’t as popular as argan or jojoba oil, but it still has a lot going for it. It’s as multitasking as any of its siblings, helps keep your skin young and is a godsend for sensitive skin.
Let’s get to know Tamanu oil a little bit better, shall we?
What Is Tamanu Oil?
Tamanu oil comes from the Tamanu tree, a plant native of Polynesia. Inside the fruit hides a large nut that houses a pale kernel.
These kernels are dried for a couple of months to make them sticky and dripping with oil. The oil is then cold-pressed. Done.
It takes about 100 kg of Tamanu fruit - that’s the amount that one tree produces every year! - to make just 5 kg of the oil.
FYI, this is why you’ve never heard of Tamanu oil. It’s so rare and expensive to make, it often makes little financial sense to add it to skincare products.
And that’s a shame. Because Tamanu oil has a lot to offer your skin.
What Are The Skincare Benefits Of Tamanu Oil?
Like all oils, Tamanu Oil is a multitasker:
1. Tamanu Oil Is Moisturizing
Tamanu oil is a great source of fatty acid. It has oleic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic and stearic acids.
These fatty acids are the building blocks of your skin. Literally. They help produce the skin’s natural oil barrier, a protective layer that defends skin from environmental aggressors, such as harsh weather and germs.
That’s not all. This protective barrier also has another important job to do: keep moisture in so your skin stays hydrated for longer.
Here’s how it works: when your skin’s protective barrier is weak and damaged, moisture evaporates through the cracks. Cue dry, itchy and flaky skin.
But when your protective barrier is intact, moisture stays where it needs to be to keep your skin soft and supple.
2. Tamanu Oil Has Antioxidant Properties
Like most natural oils, Tamanu oil is a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin E.
Think of antioxidants as your skin police. They patrol your body looking for free radicals, little “criminals” that destroy collagen, elastin, cellular DNA and everything else they find on their path. Overtime, this damage leads to wrinkles, sagging and dark spots.
When an antioxidant spots a free radical, it promptly destroys it before it can wreak its damage on the skin.
Now your skin isn’t suffering so much damage anymore, the aging process slows down and your skin stays younger for longer.
3. Tamanu Oil Has Soothing Properties
Did you know Tamanu oil is one of the best oils for sensitive skin? It’s rich with calophyllolids…
Calo what? Calophyllolids have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and irritation.
If you’ve got rosacea, eczema or just sensitive skin that gets red and irritated all the time, adding Tamanu oil can help keep the tantrums and flare-ups under control.
Does Tamanu Oil Have Any Side Effects?
Tamanu oil is gentle and unlikely to cause irritations. But it comes from a nut, so if you have a tree nut allergy, avoid it. Just in case.
Where Can You Find Tamanu Oil?
You can find Tamanu oil in our Millionaire Cream. It’s a blend of glycolic acid and antioxidants to resurface your skin’s texture, fight free radicals and keep your skin young and healthy. Tamanu oil is here to give the cream a moisturizing base and strengthen your protective barrier.
We’ve also added Tamanu oil to our Neck & Decollete Treatment Cream. It uses vitamin C, peptides and Tamanu oil to moisturize skin, fight antioxidants and boosts collagen production. In other words, it keeps your neck and decollete looking youthful so they won’t give your real age away.
Not into creams? No problem, our Luxurious Oil Cleanser also contains a nice dose of this precious oil.
The Bottom Line
Tamanu oil is a multitasker: it moisturizes skin, fights wrinkles and even soothes redness and irritations. It’s a do-it-all!