Macadamia ternifolia is native tree to Australia and it is now a popular plant in the warmer regions of the world as well. Macadamia belongs to the Proteaceae family. Macadamia nuts are part of the traditional diet of Australian aborigines. Macadamia trees were first grown commercially in Hawaii, from where they spread to the rest of the world. The nuts are considered a delicious snack food. They contain a lot of fat. The oil extracted from macadamias is a popular food. It withstands very hot temperatures and is suitable for many types of food preparation. Macadamia oil is a very important ingredient in cosmetics. How does macadamia oil affect the skin and what products can be made from it?
The macadamia nut got its name in Australia
Macadamia nuts have always been used as food by the Australian aborigines. They called it bauple or gyndl. The name macadamia comes from the Australian chemist and politician John Macadam. The name was given to the nut by the German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Muller in 1857. 70% of the world’s macadamia nuts and other macadamia products come from the small Queensland town of Gympie. Macadamias are also cultivated in southern Queensland and northern parts of New South Wales.
Macadamia oil is not a sensitive vegetable oil
Macadamia oil preserves well even at room temperature because it does not contain large amounts of easily oxidized fatty acids. Most of the oil in macadamia nuts is oleic acid. Macadamia oil also contains linoleic acid and moderate amounts of the very rare palmitoleic acid, which is an omega-7 fatty acid.
Macadamia oil is a versatile product
Macadamia oil is naturally almost odourless and tasteless. That is why it is very versatile. Many vegetable oils have a strong characteristic smell. Therefore, they are cleaned and processed in many different ways. The strong smell is not dangerous, but it is a disadvantage in the production of cosmetics. Macadamia oil naturally has a very light, nutty scent that is not at all excessing.
Macadamia oil has a beautiful light-yellow colour. This kind of oil is suitable for most cosmetic formulas because the colour is not too dominant. Light oils are also valued in food preparation. macadamia oil is well suited, for example, as a salad dressing, like olive oil.
The soft buttery aroma of macadamia oil makes it very popular in cooking. Butter can often be replaced in baking with macadamia oil.
The smoking point of macadamia oil is between 210 and 234 degrees Celsius. This is quite a high temperature when talking about vegetable oils. The high smoke point means that you can also use this oil for frying. Macadamia oil is also great for marinades and deep-frying.
When choosing oils for cosmetics, I always pay attention to the versatility of the oil. I only need very small amounts of oils for cosmetics. I can use the rest of the oil in the kitchen, provided that it is suitable for cooking. My macadamia oil is purchased from a grocery store, so it’s food grade.
Macadamia oil in skin care
Macadamia nuts contain about 70% oils. This is clearly a higher oil content than in many other nuts. It was precisely because of the high oil content that macadamia nuts began to be used in the production of vegetable oil. Macadamia oil has several good properties that are very useful in skin care.
Macadamia oil contains valuable and rare fatty acids
Macadamia oil contains a special fatty acid, palmitoleic acid, which is an omega-7 fatty acid. Skin loves palmitoleic acid. Chemically, it is very similar to sapienic acid found in human sebum. Especially aging skin needs palmitoleic acid to protect itself from external stimulation. Palmitoleic acid is naturally anti-inflammatory. It soothes the skin and reduces inflammation and irritation on the skin. Only very few oils contain this rare fatty acid.
Cells in the skin called keratinocytes produce keratin for the skin’s needs. Keratin is a natural compound that protects the skin. It protects the skin better than any other substance. Keratin can protect the skin from external stimulation such as pathogens, environmental pollutants and UV rays. Palmitoleic acid together with oleic acid help the skin produce this special lipid.
Macadamia oil helps dry and cracked skin to restore its elasticity. It smooths out fine lines and helps the skin retain its moisture.
Macadamia oil contains a lipid called squalene
Squalene is a lipid that healthy skin contains in significant amounts. The human body is able to form squalene itself. Squalene keeps our skin moisturized and healthy. With dry skin, squalene is not formed enough and the skin begins to show symptoms. Therefore, oils containing squalene are recommended for dry and aged skin. In the past, wrinkle creams were made from squalene-rich oil obtained from shark liver. Fortunately, we currently have other sources and sharks are left alone to swim in peace in the world’s seas.
Macadamia oil perfectly replaces shark liver oil in cosmetics. It is rich in squalene in its natural form. Squalene helps the skin to reduce oxidative stress, protect the skin from external stimulation and prevent wrinkles. Squalene maintains the condition of cell membranes. Skin with enough squalene is moisturized and healthy.
Another advantage of squalene is its silky skin feel. Squalene makes greasy oils feel less greasy. Macadamia oil is a thick and rich oil. Without squalene, it wouldn’t feel so nice on the skin at all.
Macadamia oil has four different ways to effect the skin
1. Macadamia oil is a very powerful antioxidant
Macadamia oil contains plenty of antioxidants such as vitamins E (tocotrienol and tocopherol). Squalene is also classified as an antioxidant. Antioxidants fight against premature skin aging processes.
Remember that the antioxidants are in the unsaponifiable part of the oils. The unsaponified part of the oil is removed in whole or in part, if the oil is treated after pressing to remove fragrance or colour. If you want antioxidants in your oil, get unrefined oil.
2. Macadamia oil helps reduce premature wrinkles
The palmitoleic acid and squalene contained in macadamia oil help prevent premature wrinkle formation by enhancing the regeneration of skin keratinocytes. Macadamia oil is recommended especially for dry and flaky skin. You can use it in both face and body products. Macadamia oil is recommended especially for treating mature and aging skin as well. If you have oily skin, macadamia oil is too thick oil for your skin.
3. Macadamia oil helps reduce itching and dry skin
Macadamia oil has properties that help keep the skin moisturized. Dry skin itches and flakes easily. Dry skin has lost its resistance and is prone to skin diseases. That’s why you should take care of your skin in advance, before any signs of rashes, flaking or other skin problems are visible. Macadamia oil is an excellent aid for skin prone to dryness.
4. Macadamia oil helps repair scars
Macadamia oil is a rich oil that effectively takes care of the skin’s moisture balance. The scarred area should be kept moisturized so that scar tissue can form as naturally as possible. The fatty acids contained in macadamia oil (linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid) are fatty acids that nourish the skin. The E vitamins contained in macadamia oil work to soothe the skin.
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs
According to research and also experience, macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Other macadamia products such as oils should not be used for dogs either. It is not known exactly how much macadamia nuts dogs can tolerate without getting poisoning symptoms. Some dogs may be more sensitive than others. Even 2 grams of macadamia nuts per kilogram of body weight can cause poisoning symptoms in the most sensitive dogs. Therefore, families with pets should be careful when using macadamia products.
How do I use macadamia oil in skin care?
Macadamia oil is suitable for skin care as it is, provided that the skin is very dry. You can also use macadamia oil on its own for aged skin. However, remember that the skin must always be well moisturized when you apply oil to it. Never use oil on skin that is not moisturized. The skin should preferably be even wet when you apply the oil. Try applying the oil to your skin just after the shower. You only need a few drops of oil on your palm. It spreads on shower-wet skin very easily and evenly.
Use macadamia oil in cosmetics. If you have normal skin, you should mix macadamia oil with lighter oils. For example, grape seed oil lightens macadamia oil quite a bit. Macadamia oil is suitable for many cosmetic products such as creams, balms, lip products and hand- and foot creams.
Do you like macadamia oil? Have you made products from it? Let me know what you think of this oil!