The latest trend in beauty has been slathering on exotic oils all over our bodies. Some can melt wrinkles, others fade stretch marks, and all of them promote a fresh glow, but which one do you choose when there are so many. I took the test and tried out a variety to see which oils worked the best for my skin.
Tamanu oil, is a dark green oil found in a warm tropical setting in the deep pacific. The oil is a bit on thicker side, and if you hold it up to natural light you will see beautiful natural sparkles in the oil, almost like a magical shimmer, but does this oil do wonders on the skin? I used it for a month straight on all different parts of my body. It had the ability to heal cuts and scrapes quickly without leaving a scar. It was a bit thicker so harder to spread across large regions of my body. I used it on my face at night, it almost immediately absorbed into my thirsty face. After a week and a half of using it I noticed my fine lines starting to fade away, and my skin felt smooth and supple. It healed some pimples too without causing new ones.
Oil of tamanu contains three basic classes of lipids, neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids. The oil also contains a unique fatty acid called calophyllic acid, and a novel antibiotic lactone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent called calophyllolide. These and other components of tamanu oil, including anti-inflammatory coumarins, account for some of the oil’s beneficial activity.It also works as an anti anflammitory. This oil can be used as simply as an over night moisturizer, or a healing component for cuts, burns, bruises, and acne.
Seabuckthorn oil, comes from a tiny berry found in the north parts of China and Russia. It thrives on dry cold weather, and is packed full of fatty acids, caretenoids, sterols and vitamin C. It has natural uv protecters in it. Seabuckthorn oil is a bright orange color, and on the lighter greasy side. It has the ability to heal scars, while promoting new collogen growth. It works well on dry skin, and the face, leaving a healthy glow, and when added a few drops to shampoo and conditioner it is an excellent hair repair oil.
Argan oil, the secret of the Morcoccans. Known as liquid gold, this oil is light, quickly absorbed into skin and works wonders on stretch marks, brittle hair, and skin. You can slather it all over your body for baby smooth skin as it spreads easily and it is light in color. It can be applied in the morning as it isn’t as greasy as other oils. This oil also comes in an edible version, which is packed full of essential fatty acids, sterols, polyphenols, caretenoids, vitamin e, and squalene a natural immune booster.
Goji seed oil, comes from the goji berry, is a light yellow color. It is a bit on the greasy side, but works well with skin regeneration and cell renewal. I recommend adding it to various creams you are already using, so it doesn’t leave a greasy shine on your face. A few drops into your daily moisturizing is all you need for that extra boost in skin therapy.
All in all these oils do work wonders when used on a regular basis. I can’t just pick one, but my two top oils would be the Argan oil and the Tamanu oil. You can find these oils online in the 12-17 price range, and at local health food stores.