Uncommon Carrier Oils That Are Great For Your Skin, Hair & Nails
Carrier oils are mainly used to dilute essential oils so that they don't end up irritating your skin (via Healthline). Still, even though that's the main reason why you'd want to use them, it doesn't mean that each and every type of carrier oil doesn't have a myriad of different health benefits. (However, it should go on record that most of these kinds of oils are currently not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
Some of the more popular kinds of carrier oils include coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, olive and argan. All of them are great, and can do wonders for your skin, hair, and nails. But today, let's look at some carrier oils that don't get the same kind of attention as those do. That way, the next time you decide to go shopping for a few bottles of carrier oils, you'll have a few more options to choose from.
Marula oil heals acne, hydrates hair, and helps prevent hangnails
Something that is causing more people to give marula oil high praise is the fact that although it has a lot of antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acids in it, for the most part, it's pretty lightweight (via Healthline). This is really good news if you happen to have acne-prone skin and you're looking for a moisturizer that won't clog your pores or cause breakouts. Another great thing about this oil when it comes to pimples is that it's loaded with antimicrobial properties that can help kill the bacteria that causes zits in the first place.
Hair-wise, marula oil is good for you because it's able to deeply hydrate your hair and seal in moisture. This is super beneficial if you happen to deal with a lot of frizz. As far as your nails go, you'll want to apply this oil to them because it can moisturize your nail beds and reduce hangnails in the process.
Chia seed oil slows down premature aging and reduces frizzy hair
In general, chia seeds are good for you because they are high in fiber, omega-3s, antioxidants, calcium, and iron. All of these nutrients work together to keep you regular, lower your cholesterol levels, balance out your blood sugar levels, and so much more (via Medical News Today).
Beauty-wise, chia seeds in oil form can work in your favor. As Healthline shares, the fatty acids in it can help hydrate your skin, protect it from damaging UV rays, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. What all of this boils down to is that chia seed oil is an ideal anti-aging oil.
You'll also want to try it on your hair if you need to tame frizzy hair. The properties in the oil can penetrate your hair shaft in a way that locks moisture into it. Also, since chia seed oil is high in protein (and your hair is made up of mostly keratin, which is a type of protein), it's able to strengthen your locks with regular use.
Tamanu oil fades stretch marks, treats sunburn, and moisturizes hair
According to Healthline, tamanu oil comes from the tamanu nut tree. Since it's also pretty rich in fatty acids, it has had a reputation for being great for your skin for many years. Whether you struggle with acne, acne scars, dry skin, skin conditions like eczema, or skin discoloration, tamanu oil can help to treat it. Per WebMD, the high concentration of antioxidants in this oil can also keep free radicals at bay and help protect your skin from UV ray damage. It can also help treat your skin when it comes to sunburn.
However, what's particularly impressive about this oil is that if you're pregnant or a new mom, tamanu oil can reduce stretch marks thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Also, if you're looking for another oil to add some moisture to your hair, tamanu can help to make that happen as well. Some people even believe it aids in restoring hair loss, although there isn't any science to back that claim up (yet).
Sea buckthorn oil helps heal eczema, reduces hair breakage, and increases elasticity
Sea buckthorn oil is derived from the sea buckthorn plant's fruit and seeds. According to Medical News Today, this oil is great for things like keeping your heart strong and restoring vaginal dryness. However, when it comes to all-natural beauty hacks, that's probably where this oil shines the most.
Not only is it packed with vitamins A, C, and E, but sea buckthorn oil also contains fatty acids and antioxidants. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties that all help to heal dry skin and balance out your sebum levels. Additionally, there are studies suggesting that it's pretty effective when it comes to reducing inflammation and rashes that are associated with eczema.
Your hair will like this oil because it helps to moisturize your strands and improve their elasticity (just like it does with your skin). When your hair has the right amount of moisture, that helps to reduce breakage so that you're able to gain more inches of growth over time.
Carrot seed oil evens skin tone, works as a natural sunscreen, and removes nail fungus
Healthline reveals that carrot seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the Daucus carota plant. It's beneficial for your skin, hair, and nails because it's got antibacterial and antifungal properties, along with antioxidants, too. That's why this oil is able to even out your skin tone, help prevent hyperpigmentation, block the damaging rays that can cause sun damage, and fight the spread of bacteria and fungus on the skin (via WebMD).
If this is an oil you'd like to try, take note that it has a tendency to be so potent, it can cause mild irritation (if you're not careful). The way to bypass this is to dilute this carrier oil with another one like coconut or grapeseed. Also, make sure to test it on another part of your body other than your face, just to make sure that it doesn't irritate you too much. If after a day or so, your skin appears to be fine, you should be good to go.
Sesame oil fights free radicals and relieves dry hair
It's pretty cool that there are carrier oils on the market that will not clog up your pores. A prime example is sesame seed oil. According to Healthline, not only is it a good moisturizer if you've got acne-prone skin, but the antioxidants in it will also rid your skin of free radicals. Plus, its antimicrobial properties will kill the microorganisms that could be triggering your breakouts in the first place.
Some other perks of this oil include the fact that it's high in vitamin E, which can help soften your skin and protect your cells from damage (via the Cleveland Clinic). Your hair can also benefit from sesame oil thanks to its fatty acids that will nourish your dry strands. Also, the zinc, magnesium, iron, and copper in the oil will help strengthen your tresses, and could even aid in preventing hair loss when it's used on a consistent basis (via Healthline).
Black (cumin) seed oil heals skin conditions, soothes the scalp, and encourages hair growth
If there's an oil that's known for having lots of medicinal properties, black seed oil would definitely be it. According to Healthline, it can help relieve headaches, lower high blood pressure, reduce bodily inflammation, ease back pain, and fight infections. It can also reduce oxidative stress, decrease hypertension, increase a man's sperm count, and even fight cancer cells (via WebMD).
As far as your skin is concerned, black seed oil helps heal acne and skin conditions like psoriasis. Also, because of the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in this oil, if you apply it to your scalp on a consistent basis, it can aid in relieving dandruff and encourage hair growth.
While all of this is awesome, make sure that you talk to your doctor about making black seed oil a part of your internal daily health routine, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. While its side effects are usually not serious, the oil can sometimes cause bloating, nausea, or a drop in your blood pressure.
Pomegranate seed oil hydrates and exfoliates skin, promotes collagen, and fights bacteria and fungus
Did you know that pomegranates contain more than 100 phytochemicals? If you're not totally sure what those are, they're compounds that are produced by plants. Plus, it's got lots of antioxidants, it's a good source of vitamin C, and it's full of anti-inflammatories that make it beneficial when it comes to treating diabetes, boosting your libido, lowering your blood pressure, bringing relief to arthritis, and even improving your workouts (via Medical News Today).
Pomegranate oil doesn't just hydrate your skin; it also helps to exfoliate it by removing dead skin cells (via Healthline). Per Mindbodygreen, this oil can increase your skin's defenses against air pollution. It can also trigger collagen production, which is ultimately great for your skin, hair, and nails. Plus, since pomegranate seed oil is pretty good at fighting bacteria, fungi, and yeast, you might want to use it if you have dandruff or nail fungal growth.
Kukui nut oil protects skin, promotes hair growth, and softens cuticles
If you've ever been to Hawaii before, there's a pretty good chance that you've come across a kukui tree, perhaps without even knowing it. It's this tree that provides us with kukui nut oil. According to Byrdie, it's an oil whose properties help to protect and hydrate your skin, in part due to its abundance of vitamins A, C, and E.
Thanks to all of the potent properties in kukui nut oil, you can apply it to your hair if you want to add more sheen or increase its strength. Also, since it's known to be an emollient substance (which means that it's able to lock moisture in), if you've been looking for an effective oil to soften your cuticles, kukui nut oil will not disappoint (via Organic Facts). This oil is also a great choice if you've got cracked heels. That's because it penetrates even the thickest skin in a very soothing and beneficial way.
Babassu oil is high in vitamin E to improve skin and hair texture
Another carrier oil that is loaded with vitamin E and fatty acids is babassu oil. Although it is mostly used as a natural beauty product, WebMD shares that some people do like to cook with it (which can be a good thing, since it can help lower cholesterol levels).
Either way, you should definitely give this oil a shot when it comes to your skin and hair. The vitamin E, lauric acid, and antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in it can improve your skin and hair's texture if you apply it on a consistent basis. Byrdie shares that your skin and hair will also benefit greatly from it due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can prevent breakouts and hair follicle issues (as it also works to repair hair damage).
Plus, if you've been looking for a way to increase your hair's volume without putting a lot of chemicals into it in the process, babassu oil is pretty good at doing that, too.
Raspberry seed oil contains anti-inflammatory properties, protects hair from the sun, and boosts collagen levels
"Raspberry seed oil (RSO) is rich in vitamin E and vitamin A, both of which provide antioxidant protection," Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat.com, once told the Zoe Report. Per the article, this type of oil fights free radicals and hydrates your skin. Also, the antioxidants in raspberry seed oil aid in keeping collagen flowing throughout your system, so that your skin remains radiant and youthful.
Healthline shares that raspberry seed oil is full of anti-inflammatory properties, contains compounds that can protect your skin and hair from UV damage, slows down the aging process, and has linoleic acid that can heal and reduce breakouts. As a bonus, this oil is considered noncomedogenic, which means that although it's an oil that can moisturize your skin, it won't clog your pores.
Wheat germ oil moisturizes skin, conditions hair, and heals cracked areas
The wheat plant has a spike that contains anywhere between 20 and 100 berries (per WebMD). Each wheat berry consists of three parts: the bran, endosperm, and the germ (the healthiest part of the wheat berry). Within the germ is an abundance of nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and phosphorus.
If you're looking for an oil to support your digestive system, wheat germ oil can help you out. If you need a bit of an energy boost, wheat germ oil can help you there, too. Want stronger muscles or an immunity boost? It's got a solid reputation there as well.
The oil has vitamins A, B, and D, as well as antioxidants and fatty acids. Thus, wheat germ oil can moisturize and soothe cracked skin (via Livestrong). According to Bustle, it can also serve as a great leave-in conditioner, especially for protecting hair ends from very cold temperatures.