Have you limited your skincare routine to coconut oil and argan oil only? These oils have incredible skin benefits, but there is another hidden gem that is relatively underrated: palm oil.
Palm oil is the best natural moisturizer for both your skin and hair and really deserves a spot in your skin and hair care routine.
If you are not familiar with the palm oil benefits for skin, we are here to uncover them. Let’s explore how this natural oil can transform your skin.
What is Palm Oil?
It is a natural plant based oil extracted from the fruit of oil palm trees. You can find this tree mostly in tropical regions like Africa, Southeast Asia and South America.
Palm oil is the most versatile vegetable oil and approximately 76.26 million metric tons of palm oil is produced each year..
There are two main types of palm oil:
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Red Palm Oil (Crude Palm Oil): This oil has a deep reddish orange color as it is the unrefined version. It has high beta-carotene content and is rich in antioxidants. That is why it works wonders for skin health.
- Refined Palm Oil: This is processed to remove color and odor. It has few nutritional properties as compared to red palm oil. It is an important ingredient of many soaps, lotions and commercial skincare products.
Top 7 Palm Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair
Palm oil offers a natural way to care for both your skin and hair. It helps with a variety of common issues, all in one simple formula. Below, you will find some of the most useful benefits of using palm oil for your skin and hair.
1. Deep Skin Hydration and Moisture Retention
Hydration is immensely important for your skin health. If your skin’s natural barrier is healthy, it locks in moisture and prevents skin dryness. Palm oil has two essential fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids, that play a great role in strengthening your skin barrier.
Also, this oil penetrates deep into your skin and copes up with skin dryness. Because of its emollient properties, your skin feels soft and plump without having a greasy look.
2. Natural Antioxidant Protection against Skin Aging
Palm oil is rich in natural forms of vitamin E, tocopherols and tocotrienols. They neutralize free radicals and protect your skin from environmental stressors like UV rays, air pollution etc. This is how palm oil protects you from premature aging.
Additionally, this oil reduces oxidative stress on your skin and makes it look fresh and young.
3. Soothing and Calming Effects on Skin
If you are suffering from skin redness, inflammation or sensitivity, palm oil can provide you instant relief. It has anti-inflammatory compounds like carotenoids and phytosterols that can calm the irritated skin.
Palm oil is also very beneficial for those with eczema and Psoriasis. Due to its natural composition, you can use this oil daily even on sensitive facial areas without any risk.
4. Brighten Your Skin Tone Naturally
In addition to moisturization, using palm oil for skin benefits in another great way as well. Its natural antioxidants support skin regeneration and fade dark spots. This is how it brightens your skin complexion.
When used regularly, it will enhance your natural glow without bleaching your skin.
5. Strengthen Hair Follicles and Promote Hair Growth
Palm oil also offers wonderful benefits for your hair. As it has a nutrient-rich profile, it nourishes your scalp and strengthens the hair follicles. This leads to healthy growth of your hair.
When you massage this oil on the scalp, it increases blood circulation which is also important for healthy hair growth.
6. Reduce Split Ends and Repair Damaged Hair
Heat styling and many nutritional deficiencies can cause split ends and brittle hair. Palm oil is a natural hair conditioner that helps smooth rough hair strands.
It also fills the gap in the hair cuticle that makes it easier for you to manage hair. If you use this oil consistently, there will be less hair breakage and a visible improvement in your hair texture.
7. Enhance Shine and Softness in Hair
Another great benefit of palm oil is that it gives your hair natural shine and softness. Its rich mix of vitamins works to smooth out tangles and enhance your hair's natural shine.
You can apply it as a serum or a pre-shampoo treatment to your hair. After washing, you will be amazed to see salon-quality results.
Red Palm Oil Benefits for Skin
Because of minimal processing, the benefits of red palm oil for skin are far greater than those of traditional palm oil. Let’s have a look at them:
1. Enhances Natural UV Protection
You can not consider red palm oil as an alternative to sunscreen but its high levels of carotenoids can provide an additional layer of protection to sunrays. It absorbs the light and reduces the risk of photodamage.
When you apply it along with a proper SPF product in the morning, red palm oil can support your skin’s natural defense against sunburn during the day.
2. Improves Skin Elasticity and Smoothness
Red palm oil promotes collagen production and improves your skin elasticity. Red palm oil contains Tocotrienols, a powerful form of vitamin E, which helps improve skin texture and overall appearance. You can make it a part of your anti-aging serum or night oil to have a youthful skin appearance.
3. Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines
When you consistently apply red palm oil, it reduces the appearance of fine lines by fighting with radicals that promote skin aging. Also, this oil supports cell regeneration that gives your skin a refreshed appearance.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a natural way to care for your skin and hair, we suggest palm oil as the best choice for you. You have seen the Palm oil benefits for skin that are unmatchable, including deep moisturization, hydration, protection, brightening and more.
In addition to skincare, palm oil also supports your hair growth and gives it a shiny look. So, try it yourself and discover the practically amazing benefits.
FAQs
How often should I use palm oil on my skin?
If you have dry or mature skin, you can use this oil twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. For oily or combination skin, you can use this oil two to three times a week to maintain a healthier skin look.
Can I use palm oil on a baby's skin?
Palm oil is gentle enough to be used on a baby's skin. You should use it to deal with common issues like dry patches and mild irritation. But if your child has sensitive skin, you must consult a pediatrician beforehand.
How should I store palm oil to keep it fresh?
You should store palm oil in a cool and dry place to preserve its nutritional value. If you are using red palm oil, it is better to refrigerate it to extend its shelf life.
