Babassu Oil Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair and Health
If you are looking for a multipurpose that you can use on your skin and lips as well as for cooking, then babassu oil is what you need. It is wonderful oil with lots of benefits. It is also not very costly.
What is Babassu Oil?
Babassu is a plant that is a native to the north-eastern part of Brazil. You get babassu oil from this plant. It is extracted from the nuts of the plant using cold press method. This oil is used as a cooking medium, but it has other uses also.
Other than using in cooking, babassu oil has the following benefits as well:
- As a fuel
- As a lubricant
- Soaps
- Cosmetics
The press cake that you get after extracting the oil is used as a fodder for animals. Now we will have a look at the benefits of babassu oil for the skin, hair and heath, which you may not be aware of.
Babassu Oil Benefits for Skin:
Skin emollient to feel more comfortable:
Babassu oil is non-greasy and an excellent skin emollient. It is particularly effective for those who have oily and dry skin. Your skin is able to absorb it very easily. As a result, your skin remains soft and smooth. It has the ability to moisturize your skin and keep the skin well hydrated. Using this oil on the dry skin helps in making the skin soft and smooth. When this oil is used on oily skin, it helps in keeping your skin look healthy and lustrous. Applying this oil on the skin is an excellent way for balancing the natural oils of the skin.
Skin Protection:
Using babassu oil in hot weather helps in cooling your skin. This is because of the myristic and lauric acids present in it. These oils melt at a temperature the body has. So, when you apply this oil on your skin, it draws the heat from the body and helps in cooling the skin. It also forms a powder-like coating on the skin and protects you skin form pollutants and other contaminants present in the environment. Research made on rats show that this oil can heal minor burns and cuts on the skin.
Babassu Oil Benefits for Hair:
Conditioner for Hair:
Before you shampoo your hair, apply some babassu oil on your hair. This helps in preventing dryness of your hair. After you apply this oil on your hair and wash it off, you will see that your hair has become shiny and glossy. This oil is very effective for retaining the elasticity of your hair and making your hair voluminous and full. If you are suffering from damaged and brittle hair, this oil is the perfect oil for your hair.
Split ends treatment:
Applying babassu oil to your hair helps in repairing the damages caused to your hair. Apply the oil from the roots to the tips on your hair after you shampoo and condition your hair. It is very effective for treating split ends.
Treat dry scalp easily:
The ingredients present in babassu oil are great for keeping your scalp healthy. When you have a healthy scalp, you will not suffer from hair fall or any other hair and scalp problems. You hair will remain healthy and shiny. The acids in this oil are amazing for treating dry scalp. This oil is perfect for those who have non-bacterial dandruff problem.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Babassu Oil:
Best cooking medium:
People have been using babassu oil for cooking purpose for ages. It is the composition of this oil that makes it great for cooking. A large percentage of this oil is composed of lauric acid. It also contains stearic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid. All these oils have immense health benefits, which make babassu oil similar to coconut oil, which is also very healthy oil. This means that you can use babassu oil as a substitute for coconut oil and enjoy the same benefits.
Contains Anti-inflammatory properties:
Babassu oil contains antioxidants like Vitamin E and phytosterols in high amounts. These antioxidants are very effective for combating inflammation. So, you can use babasu oil for treating various problems of the skin like eczema. Although studies are still being done on this oil, you can say that this oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is effective for healing skin conditions.
Gives baby soft lips:
Most of us use lip balms that are available in the market for keeping the lips moisturised. These balms are full of chemicals and may not be good for your lips. Instead, mix a little of babassu oil with shea butter and apply this mixture on your lips. You will see that you will no more have chapped lips. Your lips will remain soft and beautiful with regular application of this mixture.
Good all-purpose carrier oil:
Babassu oil is excellent for applying on face and body. It is a great carrier oil and used for jojoba oil and shea butter, which are also skin friendly oils.
Neutralize free radicals:
The antioxidant properties of babassu oil are very beneficial whether you use it topically or orally. It has the ability to destroy the free radicals in the body, which can lead to serious conditions like cancer. By destroying the free radicals it helps in preventing premature ageing of the skin, thereby keeping your skin looking young and glowing. Applying this oil on the skin can help prevent fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and other signs of aging from appearing on your skin.
Now that you have seen the various benefits of babassu oil, get this oil and try it. You will be amazed to see its effects on your skin, hair and your health.