Red African Palm Oil has many uses. It is used to cook countless delicious dishes in the organic beauty industry. In Nigeria and most West African countries, palm oil has been an everyday skin staple for the longest time.
Our ancestral mothers utilized Palm oil and camwood to keep their bodies smooth and moisturized. Today, palm oil is used to manufacture the popular African black soap.
This oil has many benefits, which we will discuss in this article. However, before we begin, let us understand the origin and state of African Palm oil, especially as a skincare staple.
Source: Kartia Velino Beauty & LifeStyle TV
Palm oil as a skincare staple
Just like its owners, Palm oil has a magnificent history. The use of Palm oil on the skin can be traced back to the Atlantic slave trade. Slave traders used palm oil on the skins of their captives to make them look young and fresh enough for sale. Eventually, the Europeans themselves began to use palm oil on their skin.
Our ancestral mothers had a vault of skin care secrets they utilized, and Palm oil was one of them. They smeared it on their skin to keep signs of wrinkles and ageing away.
Today, you can find palm oil in African black soap and various lipsticks and creams. Palm oil has many skin benefits, all scientifically and historically proven, and it is completely safe.
The benefits of palm oil were so coveted that you can now find various generics of this palm oil on various continents.
Little trees and shrubs of the palm plant were taken from their indigenous home and replanted on various continents for easy accessibility. Everyone wanted a piece of its goodness. You can find Palm oil in Central America, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Palm oil benefits for the skin
- Acts as an emollient: It softens the skin and hair.
- It contains Oleic acid, which stimulates the growth of thick and long hair and maintains the hair’s and skin’s radiance and suppleness.
- Oleic acid present in palm oil has anti-oxidant properties and reduces the appearance of ageing.
- It lubricates the skin.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Promotes moisture retention (keeps your skin hydrated)
- Reduces hyperpigmentation caused by acne and UV rays
- Stimulates skin regeneration by boosting collagen production
- Boosts immunity of the skin
- Speeds up the healing of wounds
- Stimulates hair follicles with natural protein.
Skin products made with Palm oil
Many skin products today are made with palm oil due to their emollient properties and ability to help products remain potent when stored for a long time. Palm oil was used in the production of items like;
- Toothpaste
- Sunscreen
- Lotions
- Soap and Laundry detergents
- Perfumes
- Lip glosses and Lipsticks
- Body butter
- Lip balms and salves.
Palm oil is an extraordinary ingredient for various skin and cosmetic products. Due to its many benefits, it has been utilized in the skin care industry for many years.
