Tamanu oil in skincare – Complete Guide

Tamanu oil has many healing properties which many other oils lack. Tamanu oil also contains resin and resin that is extracted from plants has some healing properties. Let’s look more into tamanu oil.

• Anti-inflammatory: tamanu oil has been used for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties in treating inflamed acne. This was conducted with a study population that was very small, so only some people will see the results.

• Treats small wounds and cuts: tamanu oil may not heal as much as other OTC topicals, but it has antibacterial properties which can treat small wounds and cuts, if there are serious wounds it must be consulted by a doctor.

• Anti-aging: There are lab studies that show that tamanu oil can absorb UV light and inhibit UV damage. It also showed that it promoted collagen.

• Anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and antibacterial activity: it can protect the skin from various fungi and bacteria.

Note: You will see many articles on the internet saying that tamanu oil can treat various skin diseases. This is not true. Tamanu oil cannot treat all types of skin diseases, it can only soothe inflamed skin and moisturize your skin.

Tamanu oil is suitable for dry skin, eczema, and wound healing (it will only work for some people). Tamanu oil is also said to treat acne scars and stretch marks (It can only work to some extent, it won’t fully remove your scars).

People with tree nut allergies should avoid tamanu oil, as this oil is pressed from the nut of the Calophyllum inophyllum tree.

People with sensitive skin, dehydrated skin, and skin of colour can also use this oil, but do conduct a patch test as it might cause irritation.

Tamanu oil normally has a shelf life of 5 years and it has a green-amber color with earth, nutty smell. Refrigerating tamanu oil will result in the oil becoming cloudy and sediment may form on the bottom of the container.

Buying cold-pressed (unrefined) tamanu oil is better than buying refined tamanu oil. Unrefined Tamanu oil will be pure and contains all the original properties. Refined tamanu oil will lose all the original properties.

Tamanu oil like any other oil should be used only at night. Using it in the morning can retain heat on your skin and cause inflammation.

You can start with: a cleanser, toner, exfoliate, apply your skincare actives, moisturizer, and then apply your tamanu oil.

When applying tamanu oil, take only a pea-sized drop and spread it evenly across your face.

You can mix tamanu oil with other carrier oils like:

1. Jojoba oil
2. Argon oil
3. Rosehip oil
4. Grapeseed oil
5. Other carrier oils.

You can mix tamanu oil with other essential oils like:

1. Lavender
2. Frankincense (helps with oily skin)
3. Sandalwood.
4. Note: these oils can be irritating so do conduct a patch test.

If you have acne-prone skin, you can combine tamanu oil with tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be irritating for some people.

Tamanu oil can also be used as a moisturizer for hair, but the studies on this are less

Tamanu oil is a nut oil, and can also be used as a carrier oil to mix with other essential oils.

Tamanu oil can help with stretch marks in pregnancy, but do make to consult a doctor about this.

Tamanu oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 so it shouldn’t clog pores. It can also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with acne, but know that tamanu oil has limited studies conducted on humans.

Yes, tamanu can be used with rosehip oil. You can mix it together and use it after you apply your moisturizer. Do conduct a patch test.

Tamanu oil can be used as an emollient, it can fill in the gaps between the skin and keep it smooth.

No, tamanu oil does not cause purging, you might be experiencing breakouts as tamanu oil is a bit comedogenic.

Yes, you can use all these ingredients together. In the morning, you can use your cleanser, apply niacinamide or vitamin C, use moisturizer and sunscreen.

In the night, you can use a cleanser, AHA/BHA/PHAs, apply niacinamide, retinol, or vitamin C, moisturize and then apply your tamanu oil.

Note: using all these skincare actives together can irritate the skin, so make sure to modify your skincare actives. Use them on alternative days or nights depending on the actives.

No, tamanu oil does not reduce hyperpigmentation simply because it is a face oil. Face oils can only help to lock in the moisture in your skin. They can help with anti-aging only to a certain extent and hyperpigmentation is really complicated to treat and tamanu oil is not something you can use to treat hyperpigmentation.

How you can treat pigmentation is by consulting a doctor and getting the correct medical procedures required. You can also try retinoids and vitamin C at home.

Tamanu oil can help with psoriasis to some extend because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, but it can also worsen it. It is mainly because some oils might not be suitable for people with psoriasis, they can irritate your skin. When using carrier and essential oils, make sure you conduct a patch test on your skin.

Yes, tamanu oil has the potential to treat atopic dermatitis and other forms of dermatitis like seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and perioral dermatitis because of its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and even wound-healing abilities.

Yes, it is safe to use tamanu oil for rosacea and is completely safe. It can help calm flare-ups and irritation.

There are people who do use tamanu oil for toenail fungus but it is not known if it is effective.