Ever puzzled how the Australian aborigines healed their cuts and wounds? Their secret’s emu oil.
In accordance with legend, this distinctive oil can do just about something, from moisturising pores and skin to lowering wrinkles and even busting pimples.
However what’s the reality? Can emu oil actually do all these miracles or is it simply one other overrated ingredient with an intriguing advertising and marketing story behind it?
Let’s discover out. Right here’s what science says:
What Is Emu Oil?
that weird-looking, awkwardly cute flightless hen from Australia? The massive one? That’s the emu (or Dromaius Novaehollandiae to make use of its full identify).
Yep, emu oil comes from the fats of the emu. They take fat from the again of the hen after which put it via a refining course of to take away extra toxins. The ensuing fats comprises a number of unsaturated fatty acids, together with oleic (20%), palmitic (20%), linolenic (1-2%) and linoleic (20%) acids.
These are the fatty acids naturally current in your pores and skin. They assist strengthen its protecting barrier and maintain pores and skin moisturised. Simply be sure that to purchase 100% emu oil that’s not diluted with different elements.
Associated: How To Strengthen Your Pores and skin’s Protecting Barrier (And Why It Issues)
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Is Emu Oil Cruelty-Free?
No. Emu oil is derived from the fats of an animal, so it’s a million % not cruelty-free. I don’t suppose this present day it’s good to use skincare merchandise made by hurting animals. However, when you don’t have an issue with this and need to attempt emu oil to your pores and skin, the selection is yours.
Emu Oil Advantages For Pores and skin
Like most oils, emu oil is a multi-tasker. Let’s check out what it actually can do and what’s simply hype:
1. It Hydrates Pores and skin
I do know quite a lot of you hate mineral oil BUT, it is without doubt one of the most moisturising issues on this planet. FACT.
Emu oil is even higher. A examine revealed within the Australasian Journal of Dermatology in contrast the 2. The decision?
“It seems that emu oil compared to mineral oil has higher moisturizing properties, superior texture, and decrease incidence of comedogenicity, however in all probability due to the small pattern dimension (the examine was carried out on 11 individuals solely) these variations, weren’t discovered to be statistically important.
“Neither of the oils have been discovered to be irritating to the pores and skin. Lastly, emu oil fatty acid composition was studied by fuel chromatography and was discovered to have excessive focus of nonpolar monounsaturated fatty acids, which can clarify emu oil’s means to penetrate simply via the stratum corneum barrier.”
In plain English, the fatty acids in emu oil permit it to simply penetrate the pores and skin and deeply moisturise it.
Associated: Does 60% Of What You Put On Your Pores and skin Actually Penetrate It?
2. It Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties That Soothe Pores and skin
Is your pores and skin irritated or infected? Emu oil can come to your rescue.
Scientists in contrast emu oil with different oils – together with olive, flaxseed and fish oils – and found all of them have anti-inflammatory properties.
BUT emu oil works that little bit higher at lowering irritation (it does the job inside a couple of hours!).
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3. It Prevents Wrinkle
To date, emu oil has a superb observe report. It’s tremendous moisturising and reduces irritation as well. However can it deal with wrinkles, too?
We don’t know but. Some individuals swear emu oil is the key to their youthful complexion, however I couldn’t discover any research within the scientific literature that proves it.
What we all know is that emu oil is a wealthy supply of antioxidants. It has polyphenols, carotenoids, and Vitamin E. However antioxidants solely stop wrinkles. There’s no proof emu oil can cut back those you have already got – except it does so by moisturising pores and skin.
Moisturised pores and skin seems plumper, which in flip makes fin strains and wrinkles look smaller. However it’s simply an optical phantasm.
So I’m sticking to retinol for now. That’s confirmed to work to cut back wrinkles, you understand.
Associated: The Full Information To Retinol
Can Emu Oil Deal with Zits?
Some individuals swear emu oil isn’t comedogenic. It gained’t clog your pores and offer you pimples. It’ll deal with them and make them disappear as an alternative.
These individuals normally promote emu oil. Normally.
Once more, I scoured the scientific literature however discovered no proof that emu oil can deal with pimples.
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Is Emu Oil Comedogenic?
Emu oil can clog pores – however that doesn’t imply it’s going to.
This oil has a sticky texture. Plus, one of many most important fatty acids in emu oil is oleic acid – and THAT is comedogenic. If in case you have oily or acne-prone pores and skin, I’d steer away from emu oil. Simply in case.
Dry pores and skin? It’ll be innocent for you.
Associated: What Skincare Substances Are Comedogenic?
Emu Oil Aspect Results
So emu oil can clog pores. Does it have every other unwanted side effects? Not likely. After all, all the time do a patch check in case you’re the exception to the rule. However for most individuals, emu oil is usually thought of to be secure.
Sadly, you’ll be able to’t say the identical for the poor emus which are killed to make the oil. They’re normally killed for his or her meat after which the fats goes into skincare manufacturing.
How To Use It
Like all oils, emu oil is multi-tasking. You’ll be able to apply it by itself on the finish of your skincare routine, rather than moisturiser. Or you’ll be able to combine it along with your moisturising to amp up its hydrating powers.
What Are The Greatest Merchandise With Emu Oil?
- Pure FREE RANGE Australian EMU Oil (£11.95): A easy, no-frill emu oil to moisturise pores and skin and soothe irritations. Accessible at Amazon.
- The Emu Oil Nicely Pure (£10.79): A 100% pure emu oil to deeply moisturise pores and skin from head to toe. Accessible at Amazon.
- Y-Not Pure Extremely Pure Australian Emu Oil (£34.99): 100% Pure Emu oil infused with 0.02% Inexperienced Tea you should use on pores and skin, nails, and scalp. Accessible at Amazon.
The Backside Line
If you happen to’re in search of a nourishing moisturiser for dry pores and skin or a pure solution to settle down irritations, emu oil will do the trick. Simply don’t ask it something greater than that for now.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that will help you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create the very best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
