What Is Babassu Oil And How Does It Benefit Skin And Hair?

When it comes to styling your hair and caring for your skin, sometimes it seems there’s a new craze around every corner. While babassu oil might be new on the beauty scene, this oil has been around for quite some time.

In this article, we’ll share the various benefits that babassu oil offers your skin and hair as well as how to work it into your daily routine.

But first, we’d like to play matchmaker and introduce you to this natural oil. We’ll offer a bit of context and cover where babassu oil comes from, what it is, and how it’s used.

What Is Babassu Oil?

Babassu oil makes its way to you from the faraway forests of South America. It comes from a plant called the babassu palm tree, scientifically known as Attalea speciosa. This tree can be commonly found in the North of Brazil.

Several parts of this plant are used in different ways. The leaves, roots, and fruits are all used medicinally. And the star of the show — babassu oil — is made from the seeds of the babassu palm.

Like the leaves, roots, and fruits, the oil is also used medicinally but can be found in the kitchen, too. And that’s not to mention all of the ways you can use the oil for your hair and skin!

As far as texture, this oil is similar to coconut oil in some ways. Babassu oil is solid at room temperature and melts upon contact with your skin, but it’s a little less greasy than coconut oil.

Among other medicinal purposes, babassu oil has been used for minor wound healing, but what interests us most is the role that it plays in haircare and skincare products like lotions, shampoos, and even diaper creams for babies!

Let’s jump straight to the benefits that babassu oil offers your skin and hair.

Benefits Of Babassu Oil For Skin And Hair

Full Of Antioxidants

“Antioxidants” is a word that’s frequently thrown around in the beauty industry, but you might not be 100% sure what they are and why they’re good for you.

Antioxidants are little warriors (molecules would be a more scientific way of putting it) that go after free radicals in your body. Free radicals can cause damage and illness and lead to a state of oxidative stress.

These antioxidant warriors are found in your body, but you can also get them from certain foods and natural products — like babassu oil!

Anti-Inflammatory

Babassu oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is anti-inflammatory when you apply it topically to your skin. That makes this oil a good one even for those who deal with eczema or rosacea.

Just keep in mind that if you have very sensitive skin, you should still proceed with caution and do a patch test to figure out which oils and products jive with your skin.

Lauric acid is a fatty acid that is anti-inflammatory and can help soothe irritation, reactions, annoying bug bites, little scrapes, and the like. Lauric acid can be found in — yep, you guessed it — babassu oil!

Boasts Fatty Acids

We just mentioned lauric acid, a fatty acid that can be found in babassu oil. And that’s just one of the beneficial fatty acids in this oil. It also contains oleic and myristic acid, among others.

These fats melt at your body temperature, making babassu oil a popular moisturizing ingredient in skincare products, which brings us to our next point.

Moisturizing

As you now know, babassu oil melts into your skin. But what we love about it is that it’s also a lightweight oil.

It can be used to nourish and gently moisturize your skin and is great for moisturizing your scalp and adding volume and hydration to thirsty hair!

That information is great, but it doesn’t mean much if you don’t start working babassu oil into your routine!

We’d like to point you in the right direction and give you a few ideas for how to use this amazing oil for both hair care and skin care.

How To Use Babassu Oil

Apply It Directly To Your Skin

Just like your trusty skincare companion (coconut oil), straight babassu oil can be applied directly to your skin like a lotion. The advantage of babassu oil is that it absorbs easily and won’t leave your skin quite as greasy as our beloved coconut oil.

You can also put babassu oil on your hair or massage it into your scalp. Ahhh, relaxing!

Use Lotion Made With Babassu Oil

If applying straight oil isn’t your jam, opt for a skincare product (like lotion) that contains babassu oil.

Look for a lotion that is free of chemicals and other questionable ingredients like SLS, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.

Choose natural products and clean beauty options that are made with skin-healthy, natural ingredients. That way, you can take advantage of the benefits of babassu oil while also treating your skin to other wonderful ingredients!

Add Babassu Oil To Your Hair Care Routine

Don’t forget about your hair and scalp! They both deserve some extra TLC. Treat your head of hair to babassu oil by choosing hair products that contain this luscious oil.

You know the ropes. Simply apply to your damp hair and leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing it out.

If you have more questions about how to use conditioner (or have never understood why it’s necessary!), check out our article Why And How To Use Conditioner For Healthy Hair.

Calm Your Baby’s Skin With Babassu Oil

Your adult skin isn’t the only one that can be soothed, calmed, and moisturized by the amazing babassu oil. This oil is also great for your babies and little ones!

We recommend a product that contains babassu oil as well as calendula and colloidal oat milk to protect your baby’s delicate skin. In addition to these natural ingredients, look for a cream made with 25% zinc oxide to help prevent redness, inflammation, and diaper rash.

And, yes, this is the same zinc oxide that is used in many mineral sunscreens. It’s a jack-of-all-trades ingredient and we think you’ll love it!

Finally, choose products that are cruelty-free and boast the “B Corp” label, which means the company is certified by the nonprofit B Lab after meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

When you see the Certified B Corporation seal, you know the company behind the product strives to use business as a force for good and meets the highest standards of social and environmental impact.

Babassu Oil For The Whole Family

Babassu oil might be relatively new on your radar, but it’s a wonderful, natural oil that can provide benefits to your whole family! It boasts antioxidants and fatty acids and is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and oh-so moisturizing.

For all that babassu oil can offer your skin and hair, we recommend working it into your daily routine. Apply the oil directly to your skin, or look for a lotion or moisturizer that contains babassu oil (as well as other natural ingredients).

You can also use it as-is on your hair or scalp or go with a conditioner that contains babassu oil. Last but not least, don’t forget the ways that babassu oil can benefit your little ones!

Introduce your family to babassu oil and everyone’s skin and hair will thank you for it!