The beauty world is constantly changing and incorporating new and unique ingredients, and tamanu oil is something that is becoming increasingly popular among haircare and skincare products. The many benefits of tamanu oil in the beauty world are still being discovered today, and this oil has found its place in moisturizers, hair serums, massage oils, and other various skin and haircare products.
If you are considering adding tamanu oil to your routine and you want to know more about the benefits of this oil, our article is here to help you out. Below we discuss tamanu oil, where it comes from, and the many benefits it can bring to your skincare and haircare routine.
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What Is Tamanu Oil?
Tamanu oil is produced from the nuts of tamanu trees that are native to tropical Asian countries, specifically Polynesia. Scientifically, the trees that produce nuts that are eligible to be made into tamanu oil belong to the Calophyllaceae family. Tamanu oil plays an important cultural role in Polynesia and other tropical or South Asian countries, and it is also commonly used in South India to treat skin diseases and make soap.
Tamanu oil is fairly distinctive, as this oil tends to be thick and blueish or green in color. This oil has a strong aroma that is often described as nutty, and some individuals may find how woody-spicy the oil smells as off-putting, while others love the exotic scent.
You can utilize tamanu oil topically on skin or hair, or it may be blended into other carrier oils or base products such as moisturizers and hair creams. Tamanu oil also has a place in Eastern medicine, but it’s only used topically as ingesting this oil is toxic. Individuals with tree nut allergies shouldn’t utilize this oil, as it is likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
Benefits of Tamanu Oil
Tamanu oil has several benefits, and it’s used commonly in skincare products and haircare products. Tamanu oil is also beneficial when used topically to treat insect bites and burns due to the healing properties it possesses. We give you the most important benefits and uses of tamanu oil below.
Skincare
The antioxidant-rich tamanu oil has been found to have wound-killing and anti-bacterial properties. When used on skin to treat acne, it can kill the bacteria that contribute to acne outbreaks and soothe the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. As part of its wound-healing benefits, tamanu oil can help to heal acne scars and play a role in skin regeneration.
Many skincare products elect to incorporate tamanu oil as it can help fight signs of aging and leave skin feeling both hydrated and nourished with each use.
Haircare
Tamanu oil lends its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and nourishing properties to hair products, and this oil is commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums. Tamanu oil can help combat fungal infections and health problems such as scalp itchiness, and it may soften and nourish hair from the roots, leaving it stronger.
Tamanu oil is purported to help with hair growth and applying it to your scalp with other hair growth-encouraging oils can help to strengthen and thicken your locks. If you have dry or coarse hair, tamanu oil helps to moisturize, and this thicker oil usually works well on thick, coily hair that is otherwise hard to keep hydrated.
First Aid
When it comes to basic first aid like treating insect stings or healing minor burns, including sunburns, tamanu oil can come in handy. To use this oil for its wound-healing properties, simply apply a thin layer topically for several days over the wounded area. You can also apply it to help it fade stretch marks or as a preventative for stretch marks.
Make sure that you don’t overuse tamanu oil on your skin and that you aren’t applying this oil to skin that is broken, bleeding, or in need of more serious medical treatments, as this can result in stinging, pain, inflammation, and reactions to the oil.
Using Tamanu Oil for Your Hair
Using tamanu oil for your hair might seem a little overwhelming at first regardless if you are new to using hair oils or not. This oil is fairly viscous, and it can be hard to incorporate fully into your routine. For best results, we suggest one of the following ways to add tamanu oil to your hair.
Hair Masks
Hair masks are one of the best ways to deeply hydrate hair and ensure that your locks get all of the moisture and nourishment they need. With a hair mask, you can utilize tamanu oil alone, or you can blend this oil with other hair-healthy ingredients such as argan oil and certain essential oils for aroma and their benefits.
Once you have your hair mask created, apply it to damp hair – your hair shouldn’t be soaking, but it also shouldn’t be completely dry. Damp hair allowed each hair strand to absorb the oil and its benefits. Leave your hair mask on for a few hours or even overnight, and then shampoo, condition, and style your hair.
Hair Serums
Hair serums are liquid treatments that are designed to meet a variety of hair needs, though they are mostly formulated to treat frizz, smooth hair, and leave your locks looking shiny and strong. Tamanu oil is best used in hair serums and combined with other oils to create a thinner serum; tamanu oil can be thick and it might be too heavy when used alone to smooth thin or fine hair.
Once you’ve created your hair serum, smooth it onto dry hair for a boost of shine and to take advantage of the moisturizing and hair health-boosting benefits of tamanu oil.
Mixed With Hair Products
If you find that tamanu oil alone is too heavy for your hair, you can still take advantage of its anti-inflammatory, nourishing, and hydrating benefits by mixing a few drops into your favorite hair products. We suggest adding several drops to your shampoo or conditioners so you can gain the benefits of tamanu oil every time you wash your hair.
It’s generally safe to mix tamanu oil with other hair products or even skincare products, as there are no known interactions between this oil and other ingredients, but always do a spot skin test or a strand test if you are concerned about using tamanu oil in your beauty routine.
FAQs About Tamanu Oil
Tamanu oil can be confusing to use and incorporate into your routine, especially if you are a newcomer to utilizing oils for your haircare needs. Our answers to frequently asked questions about tamanu oil below can help you get started.
Can All Hair Types Use Tamanu Oil?
All hair types can use tamanu oil, but if you have fine or thin hair, you may want to avoid using this oil directly on your hair or scalp. Tamanu oil can be thick, and while coarser or dry hair types can tolerate a thicker oil, fine or thin types are prone to becoming weighed down and greasy looking if too much of this oil is applied.
If you want to use tamanu oil in your routine without it feeling too thick or sticky, mix it with another hair product, such as a moisturizing cream, or apply it as a scalp treatment overnight and wash the oil out before styling your hair.
Are There Alternatives to Tamanu Oil?
Tamanu oil is popular for its anti-inflammatory benefits and the nourishing and moisturizing properties it brings to hair. If you are looking for an oil similar to tamanu oil that is maybe less viscous and has an overall more invigorating aroma, you might be interested in tea tree oil, argan oil, or castor oil. Argan oil and tea tree oil especially are popular when it comes to scalp treatments and mixing with other products to create a nourishing hair treatment at home.
Where Can I Buy Tamanu Oil?
Tamanu oil is typically available for purchase from any essential oils manufacturer, though we recommend buying from a reputable seller. Tamanu oil is generally green in color and very thick, and it does have a distinctive nutty aroma that should let you know you are purchasing the right thing. We can recommend this tamanu oil, which is minimally processed.
You may be able to find this oil mixed into certain products under the scientific name of “calophyllum inophyllum seed oil,” or you might be able to find it at your local herbal and body product shops.
Can I Use Tamanu Oil Every Day?
It is possible to use tamanu oil every day, but you should be cautious with this. Tamanu oil is safe for skin and hair in small amounts, but overuse may result in this product becoming ‘cytotoxic,’ which means cell damaging. A low concentration of this oil every day shouldn’t be harmful, just don’t overdo it.
It’s also important to note that tamanu oil should be kept out of your eyes or other sensitive areas, and this oil shouldn’t be used by anyone who has an allergy to tree nuts.
How Do I Make a Hair Serum With Tamanu Oil?
Using tamanu oil in a hair serum is one of the easiest ways to create a scalp treatment or apply this product to your hair without using the thick tamanu oil directly. You can also add other oils or nourishing products into your hair serum to boost your hair’s strength and shine, or to target other hair problems you are having.
To make a hair serum with tamanu oil, blend one or two tablespoons of tamanu oil with one or two tablespoons of thinner carrier oil like jojoba, castor, or argan oil. You can add more of each oil depending on the texture you want in your oil.
Blend in any essential oils to strengthen your hair or add aromas, such as rosemary, lavender, or peppermint, and then apply your hair serum. You can leave it on overnight as a hair mask or work it through wet hair before drying and styling for a nourishing hair boost.
Adding Tamanu Oil to Your Haircare Routine
Tamanu oil is a unique ingredient that is quickly becoming more popular in haircare and skincare routines due to the benefits it brings to skin and hair.
If you are looking for an oil you can use topically on your skin to combat acne, stretch marks, and scars, or one that you can apply to your hair to nourish your scalp and add moisture to your locks, tamanu oil is the right oil for you. Take advantage of this oil’s benefits by incorporating it into your skincare and haircare routines.
