Ever questioned how the Australian aborigines healed their cuts and wounds? Their secret’s emu oil.
Based on legend, this distinctive oil can do just about something, from moisturising pores and skin to decreasing wrinkles and even busting pimples.
However what’s the reality? Can emu oil actually do all these miracles or is it simply one other puffed up ingredient with an intriguing advertising 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 large one? That’s the emu (or Dromaius Novaehollandiae to make use of its full title).
Yep, emu oil comes from the fats of the emu. They take fat from the again of the hen after which put it by means of 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 preserve pores and skin moisturised. Simply ensure that to purchase 100% emu oil that’s not diluted with different substances.
Associated: How To Strengthen Your Pores and skin’s Protecting Barrier (And Why It Issues)
Need assistance creating the very best skincare routine for you dry pores and skin? Signal as much as the publication beneath to obtain the “Dry Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it consists of product suggestions, too!).
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 at the present time you must use skincare merchandise made by hurting animals. However, if you happen to don’t have an issue with this and need to strive 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 numerous you hate mineral oil BUT, it is likely one of the most moisturising issues on this planet. FACT.
Emu oil is even higher. A research printed 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 most likely due to the small pattern dimension (the research was carried out on 11 folks solely) these variations, weren’t discovered to be statistically important.
“Neither of the oils had 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 skill to penetrate simply by means of 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 decreasing irritation (it does the job inside a number of hours!).
Associated: 9 Soothing Components That Calm Down Redness And Irritations
3. It Prevents Wrinkle
To this point, emu oil has a wonderful monitor file. It’s tremendous moisturising and reduces irritation besides. However can it deal with wrinkles, too?
We don’t know but. Some folks 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 forestall wrinkles. There’s no proof emu oil can scale back those you have already got – until it does so by moisturising pores and skin.
Moisturised pores and skin seems plumper, which in flip makes fin traces 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 scale back wrinkles, you understand.
Associated: The Full Information To Retinol
Can Emu Oil Deal with Zits?
Some folks swear emu oil isn’t comedogenic. It received’t clog your pores and offer you pimples. It’ll deal with them and make them disappear as an alternative.
These folks often promote emu oil. Normally.
Once more, I scoured the scientific literature however discovered no proof that emu oil can deal with pimples.
Associated: Salicylic Acid VS Benzoyl Peroxide: Which One Is Greatest To Deal with Your Zits?
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 primary fatty acids in emu oil is oleic acid – and THAT is comedogenic. 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 Components Are Comedogenic?
Emu Oil Facet Results
So emu oil can clog pores. Does it have some other uncomfortable side effects? Not likely. After all, all the time do a patch take a look at in case you’re the exception to the rule. However for most individuals, emu oil is mostly thought of to be secure.
Sadly, you possibly can’t say the identical for the poor emus which can be killed to make the oil. They’re often 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 possibly can apply it by itself on the finish of your skincare routine, instead of moisturiser. Or you possibly can combine it together 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. Out there at Amazon.
- The Emu Oil Properly Pure (£10.79): A 100% pure emu oil to deeply moisturise pores and skin from head to toe. Out there 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. Out there at Amazon.
The Backside Line
In case you’re on the lookout for a nourishing moisturiser for dry pores and skin or a pure method to relax 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 can assist you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – every single day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that can assist you create the very best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
