Move over coconut oil. Macadamia nut oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil often used in natural beauty products. Packed with fatty acids, macadamia nut oil has a ton of benefits for your skin.
The fatty acids found in macadamia nut oil provide a natural oil barrier for the skin and moisturize.
Lisa Mastela, MPH, RD, who runs a wellness community, told me that macadamia nuts have monounsaturated fatty acids — and that’s a good thing. “This type of fat is very beneficial for heart health since it’s anti-inflammatory, but is also a great oil for the skin and hair,” she explained.
The fatty acids found in macadamia nut oil provide a natural oil barrier for the skin and moisturize, making it a secret weapon for dry skin or hair. Scientific research also confirms the antioxidant and inflammatory properties of natural oils, calling them an easily accessible and relatively inexpensive option for skincare.
Are the benefits of macadamia nut oil similar to other nut oils?
Yes. Like sweet almond oil, macadamia nut oil works well as a natural moisturizer. And when you apply nut oils on their own, you use a product regulated by the FDA. That’s because nut oils are technically food products and not traditional cosmetics. (The FDA has no authority to approve cosmetics before they go to market.)
If you’re interested in using natural oils as your main moisturizer, you’ll want to sample a few — like coconut, almond, or macadamia nut oil. “The important thing to consider is that every person’s skin and hair is different, and one oil that works wonders for one person might not work wonders for you, and vice versa.” Mastela recommends testing different oils for a week or two at a time. “Once you find the oil that fits your needs best, it’ll be so worth it,” she noted.
Related: The Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil
When macadamia nut oil is included on a long list of ingredients, do you still get the benefits?
“The closer to the source you can get, the better,” Mastela said. She suggested opting for natural oils on their own and without other added ingredients. You can also look for products that contain a short list of ingredients, instead of a long list.