Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot kernel oil is a wonderfully light carrier oil that isn't as popular as, say, avocado oil or coconut oil. Sad but true! Nevertheless, here's everything you need to know about apricot kernel oil, its benefits and its uses.

Quick Glance at Apricot Kernel Oil

Pros:
Apricot kernel oil is a wonderful light oil that is great for moisturizing, oil cleansing and more.

Cons:
Apricot kernel oil has high levels of oleic acid, which may cause breakouts in acne prone skin. That's why the oil has a low to moderate comedogenic rating (2 out of 5).

Precautions:
Nil

Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil

There are a few apricot kernel oil properties you should know about.

Name

Apricot's botanical name is Prunus armeniaca. Its name is pretty similar to sweet almond's (Prunus dulcis) so verify the botanical name before buying this oil.

You should also know that bitter almonds are sometimes labelled as apricot kernels. Its botanical name is also similar: Prunus dulcis var. amara. But here's the thing, bitter almonds contain dangerous levels of cyanide. That is why it is so important to check for the name - Prunus armeniaca - when buying this carrier oil.

Color & Scent

Apricot kernel oil has a light yellow to golden color. And since the kernels are used to make the oil, it has a mild, nutty odor.

Texture

Apricot kernel oil is a pretty light oil, similar to sweet almond oil. It absorbs quickly, faster than jojoba and argan oils. And it can leave your skin feeling a little dry. So if you're looking for an oil that doesn't leave a greasy feel, then apricot kernel oil is a great choice for you.

You should know, however, apricot kernel oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5. That means it has a low to moderate chance of causing acne. So before lathering the oil onto your skin or using it on your acne prone areas like your face or back, test the oil out for a few weeks before adding it to your daily beauty regime.

Compounds

There are several compounds in apricot kernel oil. The main ones include oleic acid (which makes up around 60% of the oil), linoleic acid (30%), palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, and stearic acid.

The oil also contains relatively high levels of gamma-tocopherol, sterols (like campesterol, beta-sitosterol, cholesterol, gramisterol and citrostadienol) and squalene. You would know gamma-tocopherol is a type of Vitamin E, which is amazing for skin care and beauty. And sterols and squalene are phytochemicals that play unique roles in our health.

Note, apricot kernels also contain a compound called amygdalin or Vitamin B17. This compound may have possible health benefits like strong anticancer activity but the research has shown mixed results. And amygdalin is also considered toxic. BUT ... It's a big but... There is very little to almost no trace of amygdalin in apricot kernel oil. So there is nothing to worry about.

Ok, so those are some properties of apricot kernel oil, now it's time to get into its benefits.

Apricot Kernel Oil Benefits

Sadly, there aren't many studies that have explored the benefits of apricot kernel oil, especially for skin.

There is a 2014 study that investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of apricot kernel extracts and apricot kernel oil on mice with ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). While the extracts showed good anti-inflammatory benefits, apricot kernel oil did not.

So apricot kernel extracts may not have the same benefits as apricot kernel oil.

This is very important to remember when considering this 2009 study in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. This study explored the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of methanol and water extracts of (sweet) apricot kernels. The results showed both the methanol and water extracts had good antioxidant potential. And the methanol extract had antibacterial effects too against the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus.

But... as you saw earlier, apricot kernel extracts behave differently when compared to the oil. That is why we cannot say apricot kernel oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.

From experience though, I can say apricot kernel oil is a light moisturizing oil that keeps my skin smooth and soft. And that's a great benefit to have.

Where to Buy Apricot Kernel Oil

You can buy apricot kernel oil at your local big box store. You know - Trader Joe's, Walmart, and so on. And, of course, you can also get the oil on Amazon too. Here are a few brands to try:

Apricot kernel oil is not exactly the most stable oil on the market. That means its average shelf life is short. It may last for about six months to one year. So don't overstock this oil. Also, remember if you keep your oil in cool, dark conditions, it will last just a little bit longer.

Apricot Oil Uses

The high oleic acid content in apricot kernel oil may cause acne if you have so inclined skin. So it is very important to patch test this oil before lathering it on. In fact, you should probably monitor the effects of the oil over a week or two to make sure you aren't getting sudden closed comedones, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

Once, you are satisfied the oil won't cause you to break out, here are a few apricot oil uses for you to try:

1. For oil cleansing: The lightness of apricot kernel oil makes it great for oil cleansing. Simply add a few drops of oil to your fingertips and massage your face for a minute or two. You can then place a warm wash cloth on your face to open up your pores. But this is optional. Then, with a damp, warm cloth, simply wipe the day's dirt away and off your face. Rinse your face afterward with cool water to close up your pores.


2. To remove makeup: You can add a few drops of apricot kernel oil to a cotton ball, pad or wipe and gently rub your makeup away. The oil works especially well to remove your eye makeup and mascara. And you don't have to worry about harsh cleansers getting into your eyes.


3. In massage blends: Apricot kernel oil is wonderful for massaging because it is so light and absorbs quickly. And you can mix in a few essential oils to make a wonderful massage blend.


4. For scrubs: Finally, apricot kernel oil works really well in foot scrubs and body scrubs. Add one part apricot kernel oil to five parts of raw, coarse sugar. That's all it takes. You can even add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil. But mix it in thoroughly before applying to your feet or body.

There are many other uses of apricot kernel oil. Leave a comment and let me know how you use yours.

What's next?

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- Essential Oils Listing
- Carrier Oils Listing

How to Make Coconut Oil

How to make coconut oil? Well, it's not as hard as you think! And what better way to guarantee you're getting pure coconut oil than to make it yourself... at home... in your pjs?

All you need are brown coconuts, a few tools, some time and a little patience. The results - homemade coconut oil your skin will love.

So... are you ready to see how to make to coconut oil?

How to Make Coconut Oil: Summary

Prep Time: more than 12 hours
Cook Time: less than 1 hour (**optional**)

Ingredients:

• brown or mature coconuts [5 - 6 makes roughly 1 cup of oil]

Tools/ equipment:

• cleaver or hammer
• several bowls
• sturdy knife
• grating equipment [for example: a rough grater, coconut scraper, blender, food processor, or juicer]
• straining equipment [for example: a simple strainer, cheese cloth, or any clean cloth]
• spoons
• clean bottles or containers for coconut oil
• heavy bottomed pot [for example: cast iron pot] (**optional**)

Steps:

1. Buy brown or mature coconuts.
2. Crack them open.
3. Remove the coconut meat (also called copra or 'flesh').
4. Grate/ shred the extracted coconut meat.
5. Squeeze the grated meat to extract coconut milk. Add water if necessary.
6. Strain the coconut milk.
7. Leave the milk overnight in a cool place to separate.
8. Once separated, carefully scoop coconut oil from the top and bottle the oil.
   This is cold pressed, virgin coconut oil, which is sometimes called coconut cream or curd. And it typically contains some moisture.

**Optional** - Processing further
9. Heat the coconut curd in a heavy bottomed pot on medium heat.
10. Stir continuously until the coconut oil and curd separate.
11. Strain the oil.
12. Carefully squeeze the curd particles to remove as much oil as possible. Bottle the oil.
    This is 100% pure coconut oil so it doesn't contain any moisture.

How to Make Coconut Oil: Details

Step #1: Buy brown/ mature coconuts

You can get brown coconuts at your local farmers' market, big box stores and specialty groceries. Ask them when they restock so you can get the coconuts at their freshest. Also verify that they are organic nuts if you want to make organic coconut oil.

How many brown coconuts you should get will depend on how much oil you want to make. Typically, five to six nuts will give you one cup of coconut oil. But the actual yield will depend on the size, quality and 'freshness' of the brown coconuts.

So choosing the right nut is important. When you're at the store, you want to get coconuts that are brown on the outside, feel heavy, have no signs of mold, and when you shake them, you can hear liquid sloshing around inside. These coconuts are usually 'fresher' and are more likely to make better quality coconut oil. Coconuts that are lighter, grayish, moldy, or don't have much liquid in them are older and may be rancid. These will make poor quality coconut oil.

Still, you will only know if a coconut is truly good when you crack it open.

Step #2: Open the coconuts

To open the brown coconuts, you'll need a cleaver or hammer and a bowl or two. You may also have use for a corkscrew or sturdy paring knife.

Before cracking open the nut, you can use the corkscrew or paring knife to dig holes into the coconut's darker spots or 'eyes.' Empty the coconut water out of these holes into a bowl. You can drink this water or use it later to help extract the coconut milk. But this is all optional since the water isn't necessary for making the oil.

To crack open a coconut, place a bowl under it to collect the water (if you didn't empty it already). You can also do this over your kitchen sink too. Holding the coconut in one hand, use a hammer or the back of a cleaver to tap the center of the coconut (against its grain). Rotate and repeat as necessary until the coconut shell breaks. Be careful with your fingers!

If you are keeping the coconut water, make sure to strain and empty the water into a separate bowl before cracking open the next nut, just in case you got any bad coconuts.

Bad coconuts smell rancid and their meat can be slimy, runny, and gross. Discard them! Good coconuts (like the ones below) do not smell and their kernels or meat are hard and white. These are perfect for making coconut oil.

Step #3: Remove the coconut meat

If you are using a manual or electric coconut scraper, you can skip this step.

To remove the coconut meat, you will still need the cleaver or hammer and a sturdy knife. Use the back of the cleaver or hammer to gently tap the shell of the coconut. Sometimes, the coconut shell will pop right out. If it doesn't then insert the sturdy knife between the meat and shell and twist it slightly.

Note, the coconut shells can be a little unstable so be very careful when tapping and using the knife.

Separated coconut meat:

You can peel the brown 'skins' off the coconut meat before grating but this isn't necessary.

You can discard the coconut shells or use them to make cute bowls and decorations. You can also add the smaller pieces to your garden.

Step #4: Grate/ shred the coconut meat

With the manual or electric coconut scrapers, you can shred the coconut meat directly from the coconut shell. Be sure to place a bowl under the scrapers to collect all the gratings. It can get messy!

If you don't have these scrapers, you can simply use the rough side of your grater to shred the extracted coconut meat. It takes a while to get done and you can accidentally grate your finger, but still, it is one of the best ways to get coconut meat into a really fine consistency.

You can save time and your fingers by using a blender or a food processor. But you will need to cut the meat into small pieces to make it easier for your appliances. You may also have to add water to ensure the coconut meat blends properly. Note, by adding water, you will end up with a slurry-like consistency.

I, personally, don't like adding too much water in this step because my cold-pressed coconut oil tends to have more moisture when I do. That's why I prefer manually grating the coconut meat.

Step #5: Extract the coconut milk

There are a few ways you can extract coconut milk from the meat. You can use a strainer, cheese cloth, or ... a juicer!

I love using the juicer because I don't have to add a lot of water. I simply load the chute with my grated coconut meat and switch on the appliance. The milk pours right out and the coconut meat left is really, really dry. Some powerful juicers can get the meat to an almost powdery texture, which is awesome since you'll get all the milk out. Note, you can also add the coconut meat slurry from your blender to your juicer.

With my juicer, I run it once, collect the dry coconut meat, mix it with a little water and add it back to the chute. I double juice :) ... Here's after first run:

If you don't have a juicer, no worries. All you need to do is add a little water to the grated coconut and squeeze the coconut meat. You'll start seeing the water turning white. That's your coconut milk. And the more you squeeze the meat, the more milk you'll get out.

You can also work the slurry from your blender in the same way.

Step #6: Strain the coconut milk

You'll need a strainer, or cheese cloth or any cloth for this step.

The coconut milk and meat from your juicer, blender or gratings must be properly strained to remove any particles from the coconut milk. You can double strain and triple strain if necessary. And make sure you squeeze out as much milk as possible from the meat.

You can eat the coconut meat that is left behind. It is a great source of fiber. You can also add it to your garden as an all-natural fertilizer.

Step #7: Leave the coconut milk to sit overnight

Once you're sure the coconut milk is properly strained, place it in a large bowl and let it sit undisturbed in a cool place overnight. Sometimes I put it in the fridge to make sure it stays cool. If it does get warm, your milk will start to smell a little rancid and the odor does transfer to the oil. So it is important to keep the milk in a cool place.

You can also cover your milk with a thin cloth when leaving it overnight.

Step #8: Scoop out cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil

By morning, you will find your coconut milk has separated into a solid, white layer on top and clear-ish liquid below. Using a spoon, gently remove the solid, white layer. This is your cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil! It's also called coconut cream or coconut curd.

You will notice your oil will have a slight watery feel to it. That's because there is still water in the oil layer. But over time, the water will evaporate out. You can bottle the oil and store it in a cool place or in the fridge. If it is always cool, it will be good for several months to a year.

Here's my cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil/ coconut curd/ coconut cream:

How to Make Pure Coconut Oil

To make pure coconut oil, you have to process the cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil/ coconut curd further to remove the excess water. To do this you have to:

Step #9: Heat the coconut curd

Add the coconut curd to a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent the curd from sticking. After 10 - 15 minutes, you will see the curd will separate into light colored oil and white particles.

After a few more minutes, you will notice the oil changes to a pale yellow color and the particles become brown. You can turn off the heat at this point.

Step #10: Strain the coconut oil

While the oil is still hot, carefully strain it using a cheese cloth or any other type of cloth. If you don't strain the oil, you may find tiny brown specks settling in it.

Step #11: Extract as much oil as possible

The brown curd particles also contain a lot of oil so it's a good idea to squeeze as much oil out of them too... Carefully! And while they're still hot. If they get cold, the oil will solidify around the particles and you won't get it out.

So you can strain the hot curd particles in a few ways. For instance, you can twist your cheese cloth at its ends and continue twisting until you get some oil out. You can also place the cheese cloth on a slotted spoon, and squeeze down on the cloth using another spoon or something heavy. Either way, get as much oil as you can out without getting burned. It is oil after all.

Your final products are 100% pure coconut oil and brown curd particles. I used 3 coconuts and got about 90 milliliters of coconut oil. If kept in cool conditions, the oil will turn white and last for a few months to a year.

Note #1: The brown curd particles will still have some oil in them and they are great additions to your skin scrubs.

Note #2: You can use the pure coconut oil for oil pulling and cooking. Plus it's great for all your skin care and beauty regimes.

Note #3: So there's an old saying about making coconut oil and full moon. According to my mom - among others - you can get a higher yield of coconut oil when you make it on or around the date of full moon. Try it at different times and tell me if you got more or the same amount.

So now you know how to make coconut oil! Leave a comment and let me know how your oil turned out. :)

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- Essential Oils Listing
- Carrier Oils Listing
- Tips and Tricks for using essential and carrier oils

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is an incredibly popular carrier for essential oils. And it has its own unique skin and beauty benefits. See the properties, benefits and uses of jojoba oil for hair, skin and more.

Quick Glance at Jojoba Oil

Pros:
Jojoba oil is excellent for almost all skin types and has great anti-inflammatory benefits. These benefits help jojoba oil with wound healing, skin infections and even acne.

Cons:
Jojoba oil has a relatively low comedogenic rating (2 out of 5). That means it can cause acne but it isn't as bad as coconut and wheat germ oils. Some (especially those with acne prone skin) do experience redness and breakouts due to jojoba oil.

Precautions:
Jojoba oil is considered a pretty safe oil. If you're allergic to jojoba, you should steer clear of the oil and if you aren't sure do a patch test first. This is especially important if you have acne prone skin.

Jojoba Oil Properties

You may want to know some of these properties of jojoba oil (pronounced ho-HO-bah).

Botanical Name

The botanical name for jojoba is Simmondsia chinensis. Like all essential and carrier oils, verify this name before buying the oil.

Color & Scent

In its purest form, jojoba oil is golden in color and has a slightly earthy smell. It's also available in a refined form too.

Refined jojoba oil tends to be light yellow to even colorless and barely has a scent.

Texture

Jojoba oil is generally light and absorbs well but can sometimes feel a little thick. Actually, jojoba isn't really an oil. It's more like a liquid plant wax and it has similar properties to the oil your own skin produces.

That's why jojoba is incredibly popular and can be found in so many skin care and beauty products.

Compounds

The compounds in jojoba oil are eicosenoic acid which makes up about 70% of the oil, docosenoic acid (16%) and oleic acid (14%).

These compounds are responsible for the incredible benefits of jojoba oil.

Jojoba Oil Benefits

There's a lot of talk about what jojoba oil is good for. But what's hearsay and what's proven? Let's look at some jojoba oil benefits for skin, acne, hair and more.

1. Jojoba oil is similar to sebum

You know the oil your skin produces? Well, that's sebum and your body secretes it to waterproof and lubricate the skin.

Interestingly, jojoba oil's wax like structure makes the oil pretty similar to sebum. And scientists have even used it (along with triglyceride, fatty acid and squalene) to formulate synthetic sebum (in a 2009 study). This synthetic sebum essentially mimic the properties and behavior of human sebum.

Jojoba oil's similarity to sebum is the reason why the oil is used in so many commercial cosmetics today.

2. It's occlusive and moisturizing

Just like sebum, jojoba oil is occlusive and waterproofs your skin. That means jojoba creates a moisture barrier which prevents water loss via the skin.

This water retention prevents your skin from getting dry and dehydrated thereby keeping it plump, healthy-looking and less wrinkly.

So use jojoba oil for great looking skin!

3. It may help with overly oily skin

Because jojoba oil is so similar to sebum, many believe it may help with reducing the over production and secretion of sebum. And, for those with very oily skin, this is certainly a welcomed benefit. BUT this hasn't been proven! That's why I said jojoba oil MAY help with oily skin.

4. Jojoba oil reduces inflammation

Jojoba oil has proven anti-inflammatory benefits which are well-documented in this 2005 animal study.

The study used a number of techniques to test the topical use of jojoba oil on rat models. The results clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of jojoba oil in reducing redness and inflammation in the rats.

So jojoba oil (especially when mixed with tea tree, rosemary or other anti-inflammatory essential oils) can help with red, irritated and inflamed skin.

5. Jojoba oil fights acne and lesions

Well actually, clay jojoba oil facial masks fight acne and skin lesions. That is according to a 2012 pilot study.

The researchers provided 133 participants with clay jojoba oil masks and asked them to apply it 2-3 times per week for six weeks. The participants were also asked to fill out questionnaires and diaries about their progress related to changes in the number of acne lesions on their face. Note, acne lesions are like whiteheads, blackheads (non-inflammatory), papules, pustules, and nodules (inflammatory).

After 6 weeks of using the clay jojoba oil masks, the participants saw (on average) a 50% reduction in the number of skin lesions they had. In fact, all types of lesions from whiteheads to nodules were significantly reduced. Amazing!

So you should try facial masks with clay and jojoba oil for acne and lesion-prone skin!

6. It's great for wound healing

Here's another incredible benefit of jojoba oil for skin! It can help wounds heal better and faster.

This 2011 study tested the wound healing properties of jojoba oil. The results showed jojoba oil helped wounds close faster. And the oil also stimulated collagen, an essential protein for skin repair.

7. It helps with other skin problems

Besides the jojoba oil benefits mentioned above, this 2013 study also suggests jojoba oil can be used for several skin conditions including skin infections and skin aging. And the oil helps your skin better absorb topical drugs and other medication.

8. Use jojoba oil for hair too

Apart from skin, human sebum also coats your hair and so provides a moisture barrier for your hair follicles too. And jojoba oil is (again) so similar to sebum. So naturally, you can use jojoba oil for hair to keep it well-moisturized and conditioned.

9. Especially when straightening your hair

Yep! Jojoba oil is proven to protect your hair when you're straightening it.

A 2008 study tested jojoba oil as a conditioning agent for Afro-ethnic hair treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsions. When jojoba oil was mixed with the emulsion, the oil reduced protein loss, protected the hair thread and reduced breakage!

Summary

You see? Jojoba oil benefits are awesome for your hair and skin.

Where to Buy Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is really popular so you can get it in just about any department store, pharmacy, health and beauty store. So Trader Joe's, Walmart, and all these big stores will definitely have jojoba oil.

You can also buy the oil online through Amazon or your favorite essential oil site. Here are a few suggestions:

Jojoba oil is very stable so it has a really high shelf life. That means you can actually stock up on this oil. But remember to keep it in cool, dark and dry conditions to maintain its integrity (in moist conditions, it can get mold!).

Jojoba Oil Uses

So you've been through all the jojoba oil benefits for your skin, hair and even acne. Now let's turn to some uses of jojoba oil.

If you have never used jojoba oil before, you should start with a patch test to make sure you aren't allergic to the oil. If you don't experience redness or irritation, then great!

But don't start lathering the oil all over your face and body. While jojoba oil is mild, it is moderately comedogenic (2 out of 5 on the comedogenic scale). What that means is jojoba can cause acne and breakouts. So you have to test the oil properly if you have acne prone skin.

After the patch test, try a little jojoba oil on a small area of your acne-prone skin. And definitely try it in a place you can easily hide with your hair, scarf or top.

Use the oil daily for one to two weeks. If you don't see increased redness, skin lesions or acne, then you're all set! If you do find you are breaking out more then stop applying jojoba oil immediately! Use it on your non acne-prone areas instead.

When you've tested the oil properly, then you can try a few of these jojoba oil uses:

1. For the oil cleansing method: The objective of OCM is to use oil instead of harsh chemicals to clean your face. And the premise is dirt and sebum will easily mix with oil you apply to it. Jojoba oil is great for OCM because it is mild and similar to sebum. Simply add a few drops to your fingers and massage the jojoba oil on your face for several minutes. You can then cover your face with a warm cloth for another few minutes to open up your pores (this is optional). Once done, wipe your face with a soft damp cloth (microfiber ones are great). You can then splash cool water to close up those pores. And you're done!


2. For removing makeup: Cleansers and wipes aren't the only ways to remove makeup. You can try jojoba oil too. Just add a few drops to your fingers or a cotton pad and wipe the gunk off.


3. For massaging: Remember jojoba oil is a light, occlusive, and moisturizing oil. So it works really well as massage oil. And it's amazing for almost all skin types from sensitive to aging. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils (like lavender and tea tree) to make an amazing massage blend.


4. For acne and skin problems: We've seen the jojoba oil benefits, especially the anti-inflammatory benefits. That means you can use jojoba oil to reduce redness, skin irritation and acne. But remember it is also comedogenic. So you have to test the oil properly before lathering it on. Also you can mix jojoba oil with acne-fighting essential oils like tea tree and lemongrass. One teaspoon of jojoba added to 3-4 drops of an essential oil (or 2 drops of each) will give a great blend to reduce acne. But remember to patch test this blend first.


5. For moisturizing your lips: Jojoba oil is a light, wonderful moisturizer for your dry, chapped lips. One to two drops applied to your lips will both moisturize and waterproof them.


6. For your hair: There are so many ways to use jojoba oil for hair. You can add a few drops to your conditioner for added conditioning (remember it's a conditioning agent). You can also massage the oil into your damp hair and scalp to moisturize and strengthen it and prevent breakage and split ends. Plus you can use it if you have ethnic hair, especially when straightening. Like in the study mentioned above, you can add several drops of the oil to your straightening products.


7. For hot oil treatments: There are many hot oil recipes for your hair. A pretty awesome one uses a 1:1:1 ratio of Jamaican black castor oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil. You can warm the mixture up and gently massage into your hair and scalp. You can also wrap your hair for a few hours before washing it out.

These are just a few of the many jojoba oil uses you'll come across. Try one or two or all of them and tell me why you love jojoba oil for your skin, hair, face and everything else!

What's next?

Return to:
- Essential Oils Listing
- Carrier Oils Listing

Photo credit: Katja Schulz

Wheat Germ Oil

If you are here right now, you probably know Vitamin E is really good for your skin. But did you know wheat germ oil contains really high levels of Vitamin E? Or that its Vitamin E content is one of the highest among carrier oils?

It really does. But what does that mean? Well, that means there are loads of wheat germ oil benefits for skin and hair... your skin and your hair!

So let's see some of these wheat germ oil benefits along with properties and uses of this amazing carrier oil.

Quick Glance at Wheat Germ Oil

Pros:
Wheat germ oil is perfect for dry skin and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. That definitely helps wheat germ oil repair skin, reduce wrinkles, and even improve circulation.

Cons:
As much as I love the oil, I have to admit it's pretty thick. Plus it has a strong scent and doesn't absorb quickly. But the saddest part is, wheat germ oil may cause you to break out if you have acne prone skin.

Precautions:
There are not a lot of warnings about wheat germ oil. I mean people eat the stuff! But if you have Celiac disease or you are sensitive to wheat or gluten, don't use wheat germ oil. Also, you should use with caution if you have acne prone skin.

Properties of Wheat Germ Oil

Here are a few properties you should know about wheat germ oil.

Name

Its botanical name is Triticum vulgare. Like all essential and carrier oils, double check this name when buying wheat germ oil just to make sure you're getting exactly what you're asking for.

Color & Smell

Wheat germ oil has a beautiful dark yellow to almost brown color. It also has a strong, wheat-like smell. The smell isn't to everyone's liking, so test it before buying.

Texture

Like I said before, wheat germ oil has a really thick consistency. That makes it perfect for dry and dehydrated skin! But it's not so great for normal to oily skin types. It sometimes feels heavy especially since your skin doesn't absorb it quickly.

Look: there's a quick solution for this. If you mix wheat germ with a much lighter carrier and maybe even some of your favorite essential oils (like ylang ylang or German chamomile), you can lighten up the texture (and smell) of this awesome oil. I've added a few blend ideas below to help!

[New: 30 Ways You Shouldn't Use Essential Oils]

Components

Wheat germ oil has a lot of fatty acids in it, along with proteins, lecithin, vitamins (A, D, and E), and minerals. The fatty acids here are: linoleic or omega-6 (which makes up about 50% of the oil); palmitic (15%); oleic (15%); linolenic or omega-3 (7%). These fatty acids each have amazing benefits for skin and hair as you'll see in a bit.

As I said before, wheat germ oil has one of the highest Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) levels among all the carrier oils (and all vegetable oils too). You'll find tocopherol in a lot of beauty products you own. It's the bomb when it comes to having great skin and hair!

Wheat Germ Oil Benefits

I can rant and rave about what wheat germ oil is good for, but you're not going to believe me without proof. No worries! There are a lot of studies that prove its benefits for your insides and out. Here are the wheat germ oil benefits for your skin and hair.

1. It's moisturizes

Remember the fatty acids in wheat germ? They make the oil thick and slow to absorb which means wheat germ oil is perfect for moisturizing dry, irritated, and dehydrated skin. Plus it works well for rough, cracking skin too. So you can use it for smooth elbows, knees, heels and anywhere else that needs a little extra moisturizing like dry, brittle hair. Yup! Wheat germ moisturizes hair too!

2. It neutralizes free radicals

Free radicals are little chemicals that form when you're exposed to sunlight and other harsh environments (new evidence: your skin makes free radicals too!). These chemicals can damage skin cells, collagen, and elastin. And besides damaging them, they slow down collagen and elastin re-generation.

Translation: wrinkles!

Free radicals actually cause wrinkles and can increase your chance of getting skin cancer.

Before you start freaking out, you should know wheat germ oil has got your back! Remember, the oil has the highest levels of Vitamin E? Well, the vitamin is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger which means it can neutralize free radicals. That also means you can use wheat germ oil to prevent wrinkles!

[Related: Basil oil also fights free radicals]

3. It repairs skin

Your body needs Vitamin E to repair and regenerate cells and tissue. That's a primary function of Vitamin E.

So when you use wheat germ oil, you are feeding your skin with the vitamin it needs to repair itself. That means you can heal cuts, wounds, burns, skin ulcers, sun burn, scars, stretch marks and dermatitis with wheat germ oil.

4. It reduces inflammation

Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties. So you can use wheat germ oil to reduce redness, irritation and dermatitis. Skin conditions caused by inflammation like psoriasis and eczema can also be eased with wheat germ oil.

5. It boosts collagen and elastin production

Not only can Vitamin E stop free radicals from damaging collagen and elastin, but it can also repair and regenerate them. You may know collagen helps skin stay firm, strong and elastic while elastin helps maintain skin's shape even after contorting or stretching. These are really important for reducing stretch marks, wrinkles, and sagging.

But there's a problem.

Several studies show when Vitamin E is applied onto your skin, it penetrates pretty quickly but doesn't get very far into the skin. The highest concentrations of Vitamin E are within the first 0.005 millimeters of your skin. So lots of Vitamin E molecules can't get to the collagen and elastin layers deep inside your skin.

It's ok though!

You can feed the collagen and elastin layers by eating wheat germ oil. You only need one tablespoon to meet your daily Vitamin E requirements. If you can't stomach it, no worries. Just add almonds, spinach, pumpkin seeds, avocados, or fish to your diet. These foods are rich in Vitamin E so they'll definitely help keep your skin firm, strong and beautiful.

6. It improves circulation

Quite a few studies show wheat germ oil improves blood circulation to your skin. Improved blood flow ensures more nutrients and oxygen get to your skin and more toxins and waste are removed from the it. That means your skin will look healthy, nourished and radiant.

You will also experience improved blood flow if you apply the oil to your scalp. Here, more blood flow causes healthier and stronger hair follicles. And who doesn't want strong, healthy hair?

7. It works better with aloe vera

A small 2010 study tested the hydrating effects of herbal moisturizers on six volunteers and found wheat germ oil is very moisturizing on its own. But when it's added to aloe vera, it has a synergistic effect; meaning the two are more moisturizing and hydrating together than apart.

This is incredibly useful for badly damaged, dry skin, sun burn, stretch marks, and wrinkles.

8. It works with Vitamin C too

Remember Vitamin E in wheat germ oil is a powerful antioxidant? When it reacts with free radicals it can form its own radical and requires another antioxidant to reduce it.

Vitamin C has been shown to do this job very well. That's why so many skin care and beauty products contain both ingredients. They're better together!

Isn't this oil impressive? Here's a quick summary of a few wheat germ oil benefits:

Where to Buy Wheat Germ Oil

You've seen wheat germ oil's amazing properties and benefits. But now you're probably wondering where can I buy wheat germ oil? Well, you can find it in most health stores and there are tons of options on Amazon.

But why buy wheat germ oil when you can ... make it yourself! It's a great DIY project and you're sure to get pure, unadulterated oil. Here's how to do it:

How to make wheat germ oil

You'll need:

1. wheat germ, which you can get from any health store
2. an oil press (there are a few on Amazon)
3. bowl for waste
4. clean glass bottle and cover
5. funnel (optional)
6. cloth to strain any particles in the oil (optional)

With these

• Simply add the wheat germ to the oil press hopper and flip the switch (or move the handle, if it's a manual press).
• Position the bottle to collect oil exiting the press. You can use the funnel here to make sure there aren't any spills and, if you believe you'll get bits of wheat germ in the oil, cover the funnel with the cloth.
• Place the bowl to collect the waste material from the spent wheat germ.
• Once you're done, cover the bottle and store it in the fridge or in a dark area to make sure it lasts.

That's it! Oil recovery is about 30%. So if you use 3 parts of wheat germ (e.g. 3 cups), you should get close to 1 part of wheat germ oil (about 1 cup).

Wheat germ oil (either DIY or store bought) will last for about six to eight months provided it is not over exposed to light, heat and air.

Just a quick note: there is no such thing as wheat germ essential oil. Essential oils have light, volatile compounds. But this oil has large, heavy, non-volatile compounds like fatty acids and vitamins.

Uses of Wheat Germ Oil

Very early on in this post, I promised you massage blend and skin care recipes. But before you get started, do a skin patch test to make sure you're not allergic or sensitive to wheat germ oil. This is really important!

When that's done, here are a few blends to try.

1. For dry and mature skin: You can use the oil as is or mix it in a 1:1 ratio with another thick, moisturizing oil like avocado oil. While avocado is thick, it gets absorbed really quickly into the skin and so it won't leave you feeling overly greasy.


2. For combination and oily skin: Use a lighter oil like jojoba or sunflower oil in a 6:1 ratio with wheat germ oil i.e. 6 tablespoons of jojoba oil to 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil. You can use this mix on your skin and hair


3. Can't stand the smell? Mask it with another strong scent that you actually like. Five drops of essential oils to any of the above blends would work. My favorites are lavender, sandalwood, ylang ylang and orange.


4. For a moisturizing face mask: A 1:1 ratio of honey and wheat germ oil makes a super moisturizing face and skin mask. This is perfect to add to your natural skin care regime. Simply apply the mix to your face and let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes before rinsing off.
   Remember, wheat germ has a high comedogenic rating, meaning it can cause acne. So you should use this mask with caution if you have acne prone skin.


5. For strengthening hair: Using a 1:1:1 ratio, mix one part coconut oil with one part pure aloe vera and one part wheat germ oil. Massage this mix on your scalp for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.


6. For stretch marks: Use wheat germ oil directly on your marks. You can also use a 1:1 ratio of wheat germ oil and calendula oil or an 8:1 ratio of cocoa butter to wheat germ oil (i.e. 1/2 cup of cocoa butter to 1/16 cup or 1 tbsp of wheat germ oil).

What's next?

Return to:
- Carrier Oils Listing
- Essential Oils Listing

Avocado Oil

Is avocado oil good for your skin? Are there any avocado oil benefits for hair? You bet! The oil is deeply moisturizing which makes it perfect for dry skin. And there are even studies that show you can use avocado oil for psoriasis, wrinkles and more. It's true! So let us get into profiling this oil.

Quick Glance at Avocado Oil

Pros:
Avocado oil is thick and heavy which makes it excellent for dry, dehydrated skin. It also absorbs very quickly and has a moderately low comedogenic rating (2 out of 5). That means it isn't very likely to cause acne. Avocado oil may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Cons:
As I said, avocado oil is very thick when first applied to your skin. So if you prefer a light oil, avocado may not be your first choice.

Precautions
There aren't many warnings for this oil. But you should still patch test before lathering it all over your skin.

Properties of Avocado Oil

Here are just a few properties of avocado oil to consider:

Name

Avocado's botanical name is Persea americana. Be sure to check for this name when buying the oil.

Color & Smell

What does avocado oil smell like? Or look like? It depends on if it is refined or not. Unrefined, cold-pressed avocado oil is dark green and has a nutty smell. Refined or food grade avocado oil is pale yellow and odorless. You can use both oils for skin care. But, bare in mind, the refined oil may not contain all the beneficial compounds that the unrefined oil has.

Texture

As I mentioned before, avocado oil is pretty thick and heavy. Of course, this is ideal for dry, chapped, and dehydrated skin. But it may be a little too thick for oily skin types. The good news is the oil does absorb pretty quickly so you can still use it.

But there's another catch. Avocado oil may cause breakouts. Its comedogenic rating is 2 out of 5, which means it has a low to moderate chance of causing acne. So you should patch test the oil thoroughly before using it.

Compounds

Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids, vitamins A, C, D, and E, and minerals.

More specifically, studies found avocado oil has: oleic acid which makes up 50% of the oil, palmitic acid (20%), linoleic acid (10%), docosadienoic acid (8%), palmitoleic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-carotene and lecithin.

These compounds may have long technical names but they are behind the benefits of avocado oil for skin and hair.

You should also know there is no such thing as avocado essential oil. An essential oil implies the compounds in it are volatile or evaporate quickly. But oleic acid and other compounds mentioned above are non-volatile. So avocado oil is NOT an essential oil.

Avocado Oil Benefits

So you've seen the properties of avocado oil. Now it's time to check out the benefits of avocado oil!

1. Avocado oil is a great moisturizer

We've been through this before. Avocado oil is pretty thick and heavy. So it is truly perfect for moisturizing dry, damaged, chapped, sensitive and normal skin types. If you have oily skin though, you should consider a lighter carrier oil (like jojoba oil).

Avocado oil works just as well for moisturizing hair too!

2. Avocado absorbs quickly

Avocado oil may be thick but your skin will absorb it very quickly. So it doesn't stay greasy at all! And the oil can get deep into your epidermis (skin layer). That's why it's used in so many commercial creams, lotions and moisturizers (seriously check the ingredients of your favorite brands!).

The fast absorbing and penetrating properties of avocado oil help to transfer other ingredients like essential oils deep into the skin. This makes it a very effective carrier oil.

In fact, studies show your skin is more likely to absorb avocado oil faster than almond, sesame, safflower, peanut, jojoba, coconut and olive oils.

3. Avocado oil is great for wounds

Here is another great benefit of avocado oil. A 2013 study on rats has shown the oil is ideal for healing cuts, scratches, and wounds. The study showed oral or topical application of avocado oil to wounds caused them to heal several days faster than the control groups.

So don't be afraid to dab a little oil on your cuts to speed up the healing process.

4. Use avocado oil for psoriasis

Avocado oil's moisturizing and 'carrying' power can definitely help with chronic plaque psoriasis. In fact, a 2001 study showed that a vitamin B-12 cream containing avocado oil provided similar results to the commonly used treatment of psoriasis - Calcipotriol (marketed as Dovonex).

The study went further to show that the preparation with avocado oil did not have any side effects and could be used for the long-term topical treatment of psoriasis.

5. It repairs skin, stops wrinkles and more...

Avocado oil benefits are amazing! The oil really is good for you and your skin. This isn't just hearsay. The study mentioned above also noted you can use avocado oil for wrinkles, stretch marks, sunscreens, scleroderma, and even skin regeneration.

The article went further to identify the benefits of the compounds in avocado oil:

1. Oleic acid has anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Linoleic acid, beta-sitosterol and vitamin E are antioxidants.
3. Linoleic acid is also antimicrobial.
4. Unsaturated fatty acids increase collagen production and help skin to be stronger. This reduces the signs of aging and wrinkling.
5. Unsaturated fatty acids are also active in the wound healing process.
6. Mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, beta-sitosterol, beta-carotene, lecithin, minerals, and vitamins all help to heal and repair skin.

You can clearly see avocado oil is an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, and antioxidant carrier oil with moisturizing and sunscreen properties.

Maybe that's the reason why the cosmetics industry embraced this oil. You can actually find it in creams, moisturizers, tanning lotions, sunscreens, make-up, face masks, anti-cellulite lotions, soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners.

How to make avocado oil

We've just seen the properties and benefits of avocado oil. But where to get avocado oil? And can you make it?

Typically, avocado oil comes from the flesh of the avocado fruit. The flesh actually contains a lot of oil. About thirty percent! The rest is water.

The flesh is pre-dried to remove as much water as possible. Then, it's mashed, heated slightly and added to a centrifuge (or squeezed) to separate the oil from any remaining water.

The result is cold-pressed avocado oil. This is just one way to get the oil; there are many other methods but you can try this one at home!

Sometimes, the oil is further treated, de-colorized and deodorized to make refined avocado oil. The refined version is usually used in cooking though, but you can also use it on your skin.

And, of course, you can get your avocado oil from your local health store or Amazon.com. Here're a few good ones:

Shelf life of avocado oil

Avocado oil can last for more than one year. However, you should keep it cool and in the dark to prevent it from going bad. If it's gone bad, avocado oil smells fishy and painty. Basically, you'll know when it's no good!

Avocado Oil Uses

Avocado oil benefits are awesome. So what are some avocado oil uses?

Even before using avocado oil for the first time, do a patch test. Dab a little oil on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear and monitor the area for 24 hours. If you observe any redness, wash it off immediately. If there isn't any redness, then you aren't allergic to the oil and you can try any of the following uses of avocado oil.

But, if you do have acne prone skin, you should probably NOT use this oil on your face since it can cause acne.

1. For dry and mature skin: These skin types require that extra moisturizing. You can use avocado oil mixed in a 1:1 ratio with another thick oil like wheat germ oil. Both oils are heavy but deeply moisturizing and perfect for dry skin. Note though, wheat germ oil can cause acne so you can adjust the ratios if you are mildly prone to acne.


2. For oil cleansing: You can mix a half teaspoon each of castor and avocado oil for oil cleansing. Gently massage the mix on your face and wait for a few minutes. You can also add a warm cloth over your face to help get out any extra dirt and microbes out.
   Once your done, simply and gently wipe off the excess oil from your face before rinsing with cold water.
   You can also swap out castor oil with hazelnut for a lighter mix for oil cleansing.


3. As a makeup remover: A few celebrities swear by avocado oil as a great makeup remover. And, because of avocado's thick consistency, you only need a few drops to get most of your makeup off.


4. Dark circles under eyes: Here is another avocado oil use many swear by. It can help to lighten dark circles under their eyes. It also helps to moisturize the area and keep it looking healthy and happy.


5. For hair: You can definitely use avocado oil for your hair. It's amazing! And many prefer it to coconut oil which solidifies at colder temperatures and can make your hair feel tough and hard.
   You can add avocado oil to your conditioner, massage it into your hair or use it as a leave-in treatment. It's awesome!


6. Hot oil treatment: You can even use avocado oil to give your hair a wonderful hot oil treatment.
   Mix a 1:1 ratio of avocado and olive oils and remember a little goes a long way. Then massage this mix for 10-15 minutes into your hair and scalp. But if you have oily skin, you can skip massaging your scalp.
   Next, wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave it for an additional 10-15 minutes. Then, when you're done you can shampoo and condition as you would normally do.

There are many other avocado oil uses. These are just a few. Try them and enjoy the benefits of avocado oil for your skin and hair!

What's next?

Return to:
- Carrier Oils Listing
- Essential Oils Listing