Ever heard of Kukui nut oil? Probably not because we are a little late to the game; Kukui nuts have been used by Hawaiian natives for centuries as the Kukui tree contains an oil that’s the topical secret to lasting moisture and a youthful glow. Kukui nut oil is extremely rich in antioxidants, along with vitamins A, C, and E. In this blog, we’ll explore all things Kukui nut oil and how you can reap its amazing skin benefits.
Kukui Nut Oil In A Nutshell
Pictured: Kukui Nut and Kukui Nut Oil Source: Stylecraze
Kukui nut oil comes from the Kukui tree, which you may also know as the candlenut tree. Most likely originating in Malaysia, the Kukui (Aleurites moluccana) is a tree that can grow very large (up to 98 feet). It has pale green leaves and begins to produce Kukui nuts around the age of three. It can be difficult to harvest the plentiful, oily nuts before they drop to the ground and begin sprouting a new tree, which is why the Kukui tree is widespread throughout Hawaii.
The Kukui tree’s nuts contain up to 80% oil and are produced twice yearly. While the Kukui nuts are edible and very tasty, they are laxative and purgative, so beware that you don’t indulge before researching. The Kukui fruit is a drupe with one or two lobes; each lobe has a single soft, white, oily, kernel contained within a hard shell. The kernel is the source of the magical and plentiful Kukui nut oil.
Did you know you can grow a Kukui tree at home? You can also make your own Kukui nut oil from the nuts!
Pictured: The Kukui Tree Source: Panda Travel
The Kukui Nut Throughout History
If you’ve been watching The White Lotus like the rest of the world then you’re probably keenly aware of the absolute beauty that Hawaii holds, which is where the Kukui tree is commonly found. The Kukui tree was brought to Hawaii when the Polynesians migrated to the area. From this point on, the ancient natives revered the tree as it provided building materials, light (in both the physical and spiritual sense), and most importantly, medicine.
The word Kukui means “enlightenment” or “light,” while in English it translates to “candlenut.” Throughout history, the magical Kukui nut oil was pressed from the nuts and placed in stones to create a sort of oil lamp, and the nuts were burned like a candle. Considering the often harsh conditions of Hawaii, the ancients also used Kukui nut oil to soothe chapped and sunburned skin as it provided a protective layer over skin and wounds.
Pictured: The Kukui Nut Was Often Used to Create Leis Throughout History Source: Hawaiian Leis
In 1959, the Kukui nut tree was made the official tree of Hawaii. However, while Hawaii put the Kukui nut tree on the map, the plant can also be found in Southeast Asian tropical landscapes. While Kukui nut oil still provides many of the amazing practical uses that it did thousands of years ago, today, Kukui nut oil is mostly known for its second-to-none lightweight moisturizing and skin-beautifying properties.
Let’s Chat About Kukui Nut Oil’s Cool AF Skin Benefits
When it comes to the majority of skin concerns, Kukui nut oil most likely has you covered. Lisa Reinhardt, the director of education at Epicuren Discovery, says that, “Kukui nut oil offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, moisturizing, and softening benefits with a silky, non-greasy feel. It can be a godsend for folks with acne-prone (it’s non-comedogenic) or sensitive skin, as well as those with eczema, psoriasis, blemishes, burns, scars, and stretch marks.” Let’s dive into the skin benefits of Kukui nut oil a little deeper:
Kukui Nut Oil Can Give Your Skin Lasting Moisture
One of Kukui nut oil’s most well-known and celebrated characteristics is its phenomenal ability to hydrate dry skin. Reinhardt mentions, “Since Kukui nut oil is rich in linoleic, linolenic, and oleic fatty acids, it works to help repair the skin's barrier and decrease transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In other words, it may very well be the answer to your dry skin prayers.” Essentially, Kukui nut oil contains saturated fatty acids that moisturize the skin and form a semipermeable barrier to help the moisture get absorbed deep into the skin’s layers.
Kukui Nut Oil Can Reduce Wrinkles
The majority of skincare products are formulated with ingredients like Kukui nut oil due to being very rich sources of antioxidants. If you need me to loop you in – antioxidants are compounds that protect the skin by reducing damage caused by free radicals (aka highly reactive atoms that can cause cell damage and homeostatic disruption). Free radicals can lead to visible imperfections like wrinkles. Considering that your skin is the first and most exposed area to these environmental stressors, it’s highly vulnerable to damage. Antioxidants to the rescue! Kukui nut oil is brimming with antioxidants, leading to a nourished, youthful glow.
Let’s Get Blunt About All Things Kukui Nut Oil
Kukui nut oil has been proven (and used for centuries) to address irritated skin, heal wounds, and moisturize dry skin. And honestly – kukui nut oil works better than most cutting-edge formulas, but we aren’t surprised as Blunt Skincare is well-aware that Mother Nature creates the best high-performance, all-natural ingredients. This is why we’ve curated our Moonrock Full Spectrum Renewal Face Oil, Isolate Pure CBD Balancing Face Oil, and Seed Hydrating Face Oil with Kukui nut oil so your skin can reap the badass benefits mentioned above. Have any Kukui nut oil questions? There are no nutty questions, so post them below and we will get 100% blunt with you!
References:
- Addor FAS. Antioxidants In Dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2017 May-Jun;92(3):356-362. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175697. PMID: 29186248; PMCID: PMC5514576.
- Brown AC, Koett J, Johnson DW, Semaskvich NM, Holck P, Lally D, Cruz L, Young R, Higa B, Lo S. Effectiveness of Kukui Nut Oil as a Topical Treatment for Psoriasis. Int J Dermatol. 2005 Aug;44(8):684-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02634.x. PMID: 16101874.
- H. Ako, N. Kong, A. Brown. Fatty Acid Profiles of Kukui Nut Oils Over Time and From Different Sources. Industrial Crops and Products. Volume 22, Issue 2, 2005, Pages 169-174. ISSN 0926-6690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2004.07.003.
- Monika Michalak, Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 10.3390/ijms23020585, 23, 2, (585), (2022).
- Prakoeswa CRS, Damayanti, Anggraeni S, Umborowati MA, Febriana SA, Oginawati K, Tanziha I. Profile of Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), Skin Hydration, and Skin Acidity (pH) in Indonesian Batik Workers. Dermatol Res Pract. 2022 Sep 2;2022:7014004. doi: 10.1155/2022/7014004. PMID: 36092493; PMCID: PMC9462970.