At Nine Naturals, we’re on a mission to make beauty simple, smart and safe for moms and moms-to-be. Integral to that is understanding our ingredients’ science and benefits. Today’s Nine Naturals Ingredient Story, featuring Tamanu Oil, is part of an ongoing series featuring the natural, plant-based ingredients behind our high performance beauty products.
Extracted from the nut of the Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) tree—deemed sacred by Polynesian natives—tamanu oil helps to heal wounds and promote the generation of new tissue—a process known as cicatrization. Predominantly used to naturally combat skincare issues, including acne, anti-aging and scaring, tamanu oil is also considered a powerful first aid remedy for use on burns, cuts, insect bites, and blisters.
The Science and Extraction of Tamanu Oil
Cold pressed from the sun-dried nut of the yellow-skinned fruit of the Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) tree, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia—but profuse in East Africa, South India, Sri Lanka, and the Melanesian and Polynesian islands—this dark green, fragrant oil is unrefined and rich. Tamanu oil has been researched since the early 1900s for its many skin benefits. It contains many lipids and fatty acids, which make up the protective cell membrane and the intercellular matrix that holds layers of skin cells together. The three most abundant fatty acids in tamanu oil have unique, beneficial properties. Linoleic acid is quick-drying and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Oleic acid is rich, locking in extra moisture. Stearic acid helps water and oil mix to prevent all the many fatty acids in Tamanu oil from separating, creating a smoother application without the need to shake.
Tamanu Oil's Benefits for Skin and Hair Care
Tamanu oil has a high capacity for absorption, making it an ideal skin and hair conditioner. Cold weather, indoor forced heat, and an ever-growing bump can leave your skin itchy and flaky, so rub pure tamanu oil—or a natural product that features the oil—into your epidermis to calm the irritation. To remedy damaged hair and promote healthy hair growth, apply tamanu oil to your roots before bedtime to allow the fatty-acid laden natural elixir to deeply penetrate each follicle down to the hair bulb, and then simply cleanse in the morning with a gentle shampoo.
Why Nine Naturals Loves Tamanu Seed Oil
Tamanu oil's ability to promote the formation of new tissue—accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin—makes it a supreme ingredient in our skincare line. Reap its full range of benefits in our luxurious Natural Belly Oil. Its fast-absorbing formula, which also includes coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, and vitamin E, moisturizes and calms irritation without leaving skin feeling greasy.
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