How to Use Tamanu Oil for Acne
If you don’t have acne, pimples, I envy you and maybe a little jealous at the same time… If you’re like me, you have problematic skin and often breakouts, you can understand your determination to find an ingredient that can get rid of these unwanted guests.
You may also feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of using oils to treat acne. It feels counterintuitive to use essential oils on oily skin, but believe it or not, tamanu oil is good for the skin and can help treat acne. So without further ado, let’s find out how to use tamanu oil for acne.
Is tamanu oil good for oily, acne-prone skin?
Yes, it is! You’ll often find that skincare products designed to fight acne are often very harsh on the skin. The need for a “clean” feeling often leads acne sufferers to want to scrub their skin until it loses every last gram of natural oils (also known as sebum). This increases the skin’s oil production and creates a vicious cycle. This is where tamanu oil can step in and treat the skin in a gentle way. It’s packed with fatty acids and other nourishing ingredients that ensure you’re gently treating your skin and any acne breakouts without any drying side effects. In the next section, we’ll explain how to effectively apply tamanu oil to pimples and affected areas.
Can I apply tamanu oil to zits?
Yes, you can! Don’t let the rich, oily texture fool you, tamanu oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it highly effective for treating acne and other skin blemishes. These added benefits can enhance your skin’s healing abilities and ensure that any active blemishes are soothed and reduced.
There’s little scientific research on this ancient oil, but a 2015 study conducted in five different regions in the South Pacific found that extracts from tamanu oil contained high concentrations of Propionibacterium acnes, also known as P. acnes, which is known to target and kill all signs of acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin.
Be warned, though: you can have too much of a good thing, and the consistency of tamanu oil can easily clog your pores. The best way to alleviate this problem is to mix the essential oil with lavender or tea tree oil to avoid clogging the pores.
If that’s not enough for you, tamanu oil can also help treat acne scars due to its cell regeneration and antioxidant properties. You’ll notice a significant improvement in the pigmentation of your acne scars.
How often should you use tamanu oil?
As I mentioned earlier, tamanu oil has the potential to be mildly comedogenic. Therefore, I recommend combining formulas containing tamanu oil with other products that contain effective and active skin ingredients to combat blemishes.
Fortunately, tamanu oil works with a variety of powerful ingredients, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and popular fruit acids like glycolic and lactic acid. Try applying 3-4 drops of tamanu oil directly to the affected areas once or twice a week after cleansing and exfoliating your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated while the various antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the size, redness, and severity of spots while preventing more from forming.
Can I use tamanu oil on my face?
By all means! Tamanu oil is beneficial for all skin types if used correctly. As with all skincare products, it is imperative to perform a 24-hour patch test on the skin to see how the skin reacts. If there are no signs of irritation, you can apply the oil to your skin.
For those prone to dryness and sensitivity, applying a generous amount of tamanu oil to the skin can prevent further dryness and irritation caused by exposure to environmental aggressors, especially during the winter months. As for oily and acne-prone skin, as I mentioned in the previous section, it can effectively fight active pimples and breakouts.
Does tamanu oil clog pores?
Yes and no. What I mean is that you can target breakouts and acne if you don’t overuse the oil. With the high antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the formula, you can clear up your complexion and restore it to its healthiest state. Try applying tamanu oil directly to the affected areas of skin every other day, as its beneficial properties can fight breakouts without weighing down the skin and clogging pores.
If you continue to maintain an effective skin care routine, your complexion will remain clear and tamanu oil will not clog your pores, which will only lead to a buildup of bacteria, excess sebum and impurities, which, you guessed it, will lead to more acne and breakouts.
How long does tamanu oil last once opened?
This largely depends on the quality of tamanu oil you use. It is well known that harvesting this particular oil is a long and time-consuming process. This often results in many products hitting the market with inferior oil. If you use a dark green product, you will find that it can last for about 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
Tamanu oil is not necessarily a new discovery in the world of skin care, in fact the Polynesians have been using tamanu oil for thousands of years. It was introduced into daily life and was considered a gift from the gods, which probably explains why it was called “green gold”. If you want to learn more about the history of tamanu oil, read our blog post.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.