The macadamia nut is known for its nutritional health benefits in terms of diet, but did you know that it also contains a powerhouse of nutrients that are beneficial for skin health?  That’s why we have included it in our Caraline Daily Nourish Face Oil.  Read on to learn more about the benefits of macadamia oil for skin with a story.

 

Pile of macadamia nuts without a shell on a wooden board

 

Macadamia trees are native to Australia but also grow in Hawaii, where they were imported in the late 19th century. The nuts from the tree are small and light-colored and yield a lightweight oil packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.  One unique feature is that it’s rich in palmitoleic acid, or omega-7 fatty acid, a key building block lipid of the skin.  We love it for its consistent ability to nourish, smooth, and protect the skin.

Packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, this golden-colored oil is a powerful ally in promoting healthy and radiant skin.  

Moisturizes, Smoothes, and Softens 

As we age, our skin undergoes various changes and loses its ability to retain moisture, which results in dryness and a loss of elasticity. Incorporating oils that are rich in fatty acids and antioxidants into a skincare routine that includes a face oil can prove immensely beneficial as they provide nourishment and support the skin’s moisture barrier.

Macadamia oil has emollient properties and is rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids, also known as omega 9 and 7 fatty acids, which soften and smooth the skin. Long recognized as an effective skincare ingredient in face oils, macadamia nut oil is particularly helpful for older skin, primarily because it is one of the only plant oils high in palmitoleic acid, a key building block lipid of the skin. When young, our skin contains palmitoleic acid, but the amount in the skin decreases with age, and supplementation with macadamia nut oil is particularly helpful for mature skin.

Macadamia oil has gained popularity in the skincare industry due to its remarkable soothing and calming effects on sensitive skin. This nutrient-dense oil is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it an excellent choice for those with delicate or easily irritated skin. When applied topically, macadamia  oil as a face oil forms a protective barrier that locks in moisture, reducing dryness and preventing further irritation.

 

Macadamia nuts on a board with a bowl of macadamia nut oil

Supports the Skin Barrier

The skin performs a vital role in the body and its primary function is to retain moisture and protect against water loss while protecting the body from unwanted influences in the environment. Essentially, its job is to keep in the good and keep out the bad. And, for most of your life, it probably does a pretty good job.

As we age, however, the amount of sebum in the skin produced by the body diminishes.  Sebum is a substance made up of fat molecules, waxes, and squalene and it provides a protective coating for your skin to help it retain moisture. So, less sebum results in less moisture retained by the skin. Or, another way to put it is that moisture evaporates from the skin, tending to leave it drier.  

Keeping skin hydrated and moisturized as we age is key to keeping skin healthy, and macadamia oil, with its range of fatty acids, squalene, and antioxidants, provides a protective layer on the skin to retain moisture.  These components of the oil work to maintain the protective barrier of the skin, fortifying it for better protection and resilience against pollution, bacteria, and environmental elements.

 

Nourishes and Heals 

Packed with fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, macadamia nut oil is a wonderful face oil that deeply nourishes the skin, leaving it soft, supple, and smooth. Macadamia nut oil delivers remarkable nourishing and healing properties. Rich in squalene, this oil deeply penetrates the skin, smoothing and softening the skin, and its lightweight texture makes it easily absorbed without leaving a greasy residue. The squalene content in macadamia oil supplements the amount found in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, helping to regenerate skin cells and protecting against chapping and weather damage.

With a high concentration of antioxidants, macadamia oil also helps combat free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, and it contains phytosterols that promote collagen production and possess anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated or inflamed skin. 

We love the benefits and gentle care this oil provides for older skin and have included it in our Daily Nourish Face Oil

Rich in Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Other Nutrients

Macadamia oil is rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals – compounds found in plants, nuts, and seeds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant behavior.  These powerful compounds fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress in the skin, which form in the body over time and play a major role in the aging process.  

Applying nutrient-dense oils like macadamia benefits the skin by providing high-quality antioxidants that neutralize damaging free radicals. Macadamia nut oil also delivers squalene, a powerful moisturizing and wound-healing agent, and manganese, which supports collagen production.  Macadamia nuts are rich in tocotrienols – a form of vitamin E that exhibits antioxidant properties – which protect the skin against environmental stressors.

 

Macadamia nuts on a board and a small bottle of macadamia nut oil

Contains Nourishing Fatty Acids

Fatty acids (FAs) play a crucial role in nourishing and repairing aging skin, making them a vital component of any effective skincare solution. Macadamia oil, renowned for its broad range of fatty acids, supports cellular membranes, nourishes the skin, and provides a lipid barrier to retain moisture and regenerate skin cells. It also contains squalene, which supplements the squalene found in the stratum corneum, helping to regenerate skin cells and protect against damage from weather elements.

The high concentration of palmitoleic acid in macadamia oil makes it particularly useful in skincare formulated for older skin, which is why we’ve included it in the Caraline Daily Nourish Face Oil formula. With its unique nutrient profile,  macadamia nut oil is particularly effective in the treatment or prevention of dry skin and conditions in which the skin’s lipid barrier is defective or damaged.

Non-Greasy, Easily Absorbed

Suitable for all skin types, macadamia oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it should not clog pores or cause breakouts.  Macadamia nut oil is also easily absorbed by the skin, ensuring maximum moisture retention without leaving an oily residue.  Its lightweight texture allows for easy absorption into the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

Summary

Macadamia nut oil works wonders in moisturizing and nourishing dry or aging skin, helping to restore its natural elasticity and suppleness. Macadamia oil contains significant amounts of omega-7 palmitoleic acid and omega-9 oleic acid, both of which have proven benefits for aging skin. Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated or sensitive skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. It’s an ideal ingredient in a face oil formulated for mature skin, which is why we use it in Caraline Daily Nourish Face Oil.

September 30, 2023 — The Caraline Team

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