Ingredient Spotlight: Babassu Oil

babassu

There’s been talk recently in the green beauty world that babassu oil is the new coconut oil. While they share many characteristics, babassu has a few attributes that, in my humble opinion, make it more appealing for skin and hair care.

Babassu oil is extracted from the nuts of the babassu palm tree, which grows in the Amazon. Much like coconut oil, babassu oil has a high concentration of lauric acid. While it’s usually in a solid state, it liquefies and melts right into skin upon contact. However, it is less greasy and more absorbent than coconut oil, so it won’t sit on top of skin or weigh your hair down, making it a better choice for those who naturally produce more oil.

One of the most common uses for babassu oil, besides cooking with it, is soap making. Babassu oil creates a good lather in soap bars, and its emollient properties keep all skin types happy. Recently, babassu has enjoyed increased popularity in skincare because it suits a range of skin types and conditions. Abundant in antioxidants and vitamin E, this non-greasy oil is easily absorbed and makes an awesome moisturizer that benefits both dry and oily skin types thanks to its balancing effect. Babassu oil has traditionally been used to treat skin ailments like eczema and acts as a soothing anti-inflammatory with much healing potential. Keep it around and dab it on minor burns and cuts to help cool the skin and repair. It not only heals and conditions, it has the ability to protect skin from damaging environmental elements.

Brittle hair problems? Introduce babassu into your hair care routine—you won’t be sorry. Babassu oil is renowned for it’s ability to smooth the hair follicle without weighing it down, adding luster and shine to dry and damaged hair. Split ends are no match, so skip the coconut oil and opt for babassu instead. Used as a hair mask, babassu will infuse hair with long-lasting moisture and help restore the condition of your scalp, too. If your scalp is dry, flaky, or irritated, use babassu as a weekly scalp treatment and kiss that discomfort goodbye.

Want to add babassu oil to your routine? Look for it in the following products…

Maya Chia The Super Blend

Mahalo Rare Indigo Balm

Osmia Organics Rosemary Body Mousse

Osmia Organics Coffee Mint Soap

Acure Organics Mint + Echinacea Shampoo

Acure Organics Mint + Echinacea Conditioner

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About Susannah Compton

Susannah Compton is the founder and formulator behind Florescent, a line of 100% botanical perfumes she blends in small batches from organic and wild crafted aromatics. Plant-based skincare and cosmetics are a way of life for Susannah, who writes about clean beauty and the benefits of botanical ingredients for No More Dirty Looks, Thoughtfully Magazine and Integrity Botanicals. Florescent, however, is Susannah’s personal expression of healthy beauty. Susannah has been working with botanical aromatics for years, blending first for therapeutic purposes before delving into the art of perfumery. Having rarely experienced the depth and complexity of true botanicals in conventional perfume, she learned the art of blending and created what her heart desired — a scent that would move her the way perfume should. In search of those elevating, ethereal bouquets of scent, Susannah honed her skills behind the perfume bench. She launched Florescent in the spring of 2015 to share the lush experience and pleasing ritual of real perfume.