Kukui Nut Oil for Acne
There are so many acne treatments on the market that it can be hard to choose one that works. One route to fight acne, would be to use a natural product. Kukui nut oil works with your body's natural healing processes and is often used on people suffering from acne. It's natural ingredients make it easy to penetrate and moisturize the skin while also protecting it.
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Kukui Plant
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Kukui is the state tree of Hawaii. The kukui oil comes from the round nuts of the tree. The tree can grow up to 80 feet tall with wide, spreading branches. A nickname for the Kukui tree is Candlenut because in ancient Hawaii, the nuts were lighted to be used as candles. The trees grow in the lower slopes of the Hawaiian volcanoes. The bark of the tree is rich in tannins and is used for tanning leather hides, preserving fishing nets and as an additive to wine.
Origins
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The kukui tree was introduced to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers. Hawaiian babies were anointed with kukui oil as protection from sun and salt. It was also used as a massage oil for royalty. Hawaiians also treated skin irritations, wounds and burns with the oil. It has recently become known for it's skincare attributes to the world outside Hawaii.
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Kukui Oil
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The seeds of the kukui nuts hold the kukui oil. The oil is odorless with a light yellow color. It contains vitamins A, C and E as well as 78 percent of oleic acid, six percent of palmitic acid and 19 percent of linoleic acid; all of which can help damaged skin and provide moisture. The oil has a shelf life of 12 to 14 months and is used for cosmetic purposes only.
Acne Treatment
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Kukui is used to treat skin conditions such as acne, because it has a quick absorption rate into the skin. It is able to penetrate deep into skin layers and also contains the vitamins and anti-oxidants to protect the skin. It does not block pores or feel greasy on the skin.
Application
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Kukui oil is typically added to other skincare products such as moisturizers and creams. Add a few drops to your facial moisturizer to help with acne treatment. It can be used alone, rubbed into the skin, but very sparingly. Once added to your skincare product, the oil should not be exposed to high temperatures or heat. The oil can be found at local drug stores and online retailers.
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References
- Photo Credit woman image by Jarek Miarka from Fotolia.com
