CARRIER OILS:
Tamanu Oil – Organic unrefined tamanu oil is a slightly viscous or thick oil with a dark yellow to green hue. Its viscosity and average rate of absorbency makes it not only incredibly hydrating but useful for preventing moisture loss from skin and hair. Aside from its hydrating ability, tamanu oil is one of the foremost healing and reparative oils available, demonstrating significant antioxidant, UV filtration, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound closure effects in research studies. The neoflavonoids in tamanu oil are responsible for its antioxidant and anti-UV properties and have been shown to provide significant protection for the skin against damage caused by free radicals and UV rays. In fact, tamanu oil is one of a very few oils that can absorb UV light within the broad absorption spectrum of 260 to 400nm. As far as antibacterial activity is concerned, tamanu oil has been shown to be effective against various bacterial strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and strains involved in acne including Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium granulosum which makes it a great oil for acne treatment. Tamanu oil also exhibits a strong inhibiting activity on several fungal strains (Alternaria tenuissima, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis) which makes it a suitable for treating fungal infections of the skin and scalp. Lastly, calophyllolide in tamanu oil is responsible for its strong anti-inflammatory property and ability to accelerate wound healing, making it a great treatment for inflamed and bruised skin and scalp.
Macadamia Nut Oil – Organic unrefined macadamia nut oil is a fast-absorbing oil that is pale yellow in color and with a beautiful nutty odor. It has one of the highest concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (70%), most of which are oleic and palmitoleic fatty acids. It is also rich in vitamin E, phytosterols, and squalene and has more iron than cold pressed grapeseed oil. As it concerns the benefits of its chemical composition, palmitoleic acid, a predominant fatty acid in macadamia nut oil, is also a major component of the human sebum that keeps hair and skin healthy and moisturized. This means that macadamia nut oil, much like jojoba oil, is very effective at moisturizing and soothing the hair and skin, including very sensitive or easily irritated skin types. The phytosterols in macadamia nut oil also contribute to its suitability for sensitive skin as phytosterols help to reduce itching, redness, and soothe irritated skin. As far as hydration of skin and hair is concerned, the oleic acid in macadamia nut oil makes it effective at softening and moisturizing the hair and skin. Vitamin E’s water binding ability also contributes to macadamia nut oil’s effectiveness at increasing and maintaining the moisture level of the skin and hair. Research also suggests that macadamia nut oil has anti-aging benefits; precisely, topical application of macadamia nut oil has been shown to reduce pore size and wrinkles, in part because of its oleic acid and squalene content that promote skin cell regeneration and are also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; squalene in particular also helps to protect skin from UV-induced lipid peroxidation.
Jojoba Oil – Organic unrefined jojoba oil is a beautiful golden yellow in color and rich in vitamins A and E, and phytosterols. Unlike other plant oils, jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax which makes it very shelf-stable and extremely resistant to oxidation, rancidity, and degradation. Jojoba oil is also very unique because of the similarity between its chemical composition and that of the sebum produced by the human sebaceous glands that keeps the skin and hair healthy and moisturized. Because of this similarity, jojoba oil is very well suited as an emollient to moisturize and soothe the hair and skin, including very sensitive skin types. Moreover, it also has humectant properties which makes it very effective at trapping or preserving moisture in the skin and hair for a long period of time. Studies show that jojoba oil has significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that make it useful for skin repair and the treatment of mild acne vulgaris (chronic acne) and scalp ailments. Finally, as far as its vitamin content goes, the vitamin A in jojoba oil makes it effective at reducing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Additionally, the vitamin E in jojoba oil works to protect the skin and hair against UV damage as well as keep the skin and hair supple and hydrated.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
All three essential oils included in the serum (lavender, clary sage, and tea tree) are anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and as such, work to both alleviate existing inflammation and prevent future inflammation by inhibiting the growth of microbes.
BOTANICALS:
The serum includes two botanicals (chamomile flowers and licorice root). Chamomile flowers, which are anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic, work in tandem with the serum’s other contents to calm the skin and prevent irritation. Licorice root is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and acne fighter. Through the inhibition of melanin, licorice root also works to prevent and fade discoloration and dark marks that often occur after breakouts.
