The Uses of Hazelnuts in Skin Care Products
Hazelnut is increasingly popular in skin care for its antioxidant and rich moisturizing properties. There are multiple fatty acids and polyphenols in this ingredient that make it versatile, but not the best for acne prone skin types. This ingredient is safe to use and sustainable, and a good natural addition to many kinds of products. After you’ve found your Baumann Skin Type, you’ll be able to find the best hazelnut products for your skin.
What is hazelnut made of?
Hazelnut oil is extracted from hazelnuts, which are the nut of the Corylus avellana tree. This nut oil contains a plethora of beneficial compounds for skin such as:
Antioxidants: Hazelnut oil contains vitamin E, ferulic acid, gallic acid and caffeic acid. These polyphenolic antioxidants help fight skin aging free radicals.
Oleic acid: This omega-9 fatty acid helps other beneficial ingredients penetrate into skin and also provides some moisturization.
Linoleic acid: An omega-6 fatty acid that helps reduce inflammation.
Palmitic and stearic acids: These saturated fatty acids give hazelnut oil a thicker, richer feel. Some skin types can get clogged pores from palmitic acid.
Benefits of hazelnut in skin care
The benefits of hazelnut oil in skin care are diverse and notable. Here are some of the reasons to consider incorporating hazelnut oil into your skin care routine:
Anti-Aging: The antioxidants in hazelnut oil, especially vitamin E, fight free radicals from sun exposure, pollution and other sources that damage collagen and cause fine lines and wrinkles. Hazelnut oil may also have mild sun protective benefits.
Moisturizing: With oleic and linoleic fatty acids, hazelnut oil can help hydrate dry skin types. It may be especially beneficial when blended with oils that have more skin-soothing fatty acids.
Anti-Inflammatory: Thanks to linoleic acid, hazelnut oil can calm inflammation associated with acne, eczema, psoriasis and sensitivity.
Anti-Microbial: Research shows hazelnut oil has mild antimicrobial properties to protect against various bacteria.
Skin Glycation Protection: Hazelnut oil contains compounds that may help prevent skin glycation, the process where sugar molecules damage collagen.
Is hazelnut safe?
Hazelnut oil is considered very safe for topical skin application. It is not commonly allergenic, is hypoallergenic, and is free of common irritants like fragrances. Leading cosmetic databases like EWG rate it at low hazard, meaning it is free from most health concerns. Additionally, sustainably sourced hazelnut oil helps avoid deforestation.
Hazelnut for anti-aging
Hazelnut for anti-aging
For maturing skin that needs antioxidant protection against further wrinkles, sun damage, etc., hazelnut oil is an excellent addition to your regimen. Vitamin E, ferulic acid and the other antioxidants help prevent free radical damage to collagen and elastin responsible for firm, youthful looking skin.
Some research also indicates hazelnut oil may offer mild sun protection due to its antioxidant content. More studies are needed, but this benefit makes hazelnut oil even more promising for anti-aging.
Hazelnut for acne prone skin
People who are prone to acne need to be more careful with comedogenic oils. Though hazelnut oil is not highly comedogenic, the palmitic and stearic acids may clog pores for some.
However, hazelnut oil still offers benefits for oily and acne-prone skin types thanks to the anti-inflammatory linoleic acid content. It can help calm the redness and irritation associated with breakouts. The antimicrobial properties of hazelnut can also help eliminate acne causing bacteria on the skin.
Hazelnut for dry skin
Dry skin needs ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to repair and maintain the skin barrier. Hazelnut oil provides these, though at higher oleic acid levels than linoleic acid.
For severely dry skin, hazelnut oil may work better blended with oils that have more skin-soothing linoleic acid, like rosehip oil. But for mild dryness and flakiness, hazelnut oil on its own can provide noticeable improvements.
Hazelnut in massage oil
The rich, thicker texture from hazelnut oil’s saturated fatty acids make it a wonderful addition to massage oils. Combined with more absorbing oils like sweet almond, hazelnut gives an ideal viscosity for massage without being too greasy.
The antioxidants in hazelnut oil also continue protecting skin from massage-induced free radical damage. And its mild antimicrobial properties help keep massage oils fresh.
Closing thoughts
Hopefully you feel more empowered to take control of your skin health after learning more about hazelnut and its components in skin care. Be sure to take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to find out which ingredients are best for your unique skin.
If hazelnut oil looks like a good match for your skin needs, incorporating it into your daily moisturizer, serums, masks or massage oils can provide antioxidant power along with hydration and soothing benefits.
Thanks for reading! Leave a comment if you have any questions or anything you’d like to add!
Make sure to find your Baumann Skin Type using the quiz button below (100% free) if you haven’t already!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.