This little nut has been touted for its superfood status, with many medicinal and nutritional health benefits. It also boasts some impressive abilities as a skin care ingredient, which is why we have incorporated it into our ChitoCare beauty skin care line. Read on to learn more about this powerful little nut.

The Magical Macadamia nut

Native to Australia, the macadamia nut grows on trees and is a small, white nut contained in a smooth, brown shell. Many of us enjoy it in ice cream and trail mix, while it is also suitable for cooking. It improves heart hearth, promotes better digestion and boosts energy levels. Aside for its nutritional benefits, it is also used in skin care products. The oil is extracted from the flesh of the nut and purified to make it safe for use. We love it for its consistent ability to nourish, hydrate and protect the skin.

Moisturizes and hydrates dry skin

As we age, our skin’s protective barrier can lose significant amounts of moisture, resulting in dry or flaky skin. Lack of moisture exposes our skin to bacteria, allergens and other potentially damaging elements. Making sure that our skin is well hydrated and moisturized is essential to keeping it sufficiently protected and firm. Macadamia oil is the prefect multitasker for this cause, as it serves both purposes: it locks in moisture (oils) and it prevents the skin from dehydration (water). Since well-moisturized skin is younger-looking skin, we have incorporated macadamia oil into our ChitoCare beauty Face Cream, so your skin can maintain healthy moisture and hydration levels every day.

Contains nourishing fatty acids

Macadamia oil is a great source of fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid, all of which our skin needs to remain healthy. Palmitoleic acid is produced naturally by our skin in the sebum glands. However, our skin produces less of it the more we age, so macadamia oil is a wonderful way of replenishing palmitoleic acid levels, especially in mature skin. Oleic acid helps the skin naturally regenerate skin cells, so macadamia oil helps restore and strengthen the natural barrier of the skin by promoting cell growth. In turn, linoleic acid prevents skin from premature aging and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our ChitoCare beauty Face Cream contains macadamia, sunflower seed and soybean oil, all of which contribute to your skin’s fortification, hydration and protection.

Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients

Macadamia oil is rich in antioxidants – those powerful little elements found in foods that fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress in the skin. Oxidative damage can leave your skin looking dull and patchy, as the skin is depleted of the necessary compounds it needs to remain youthful and healthy. It is important, then, to assist our skin by feeding it with antioxidants and nutrients such as Vitamin E, phytosterols, squalene and manganese. Vitamin E protects against sun damage, phytosterols have anti-inflammatory properties, squalene is a powerful moisturizing and wound-healing agent, while manganese is an antioxidant mineral necessary for collagen production. All together, these antioxidants work to maintain the protective barrier of the skin, fortifying it for better protection and resilience against pollution, bacteria and environmental elements.

Non-greasy, easily absorbed

The pH of macadamia oil is similar to that of human skin, making it a lightweight oil that easily sinks in. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive or oily skin, as its Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids help to soothe dryness or itchiness. As macadamia oil has antibacterial properties, it can also help skin conditions such as eczema or easily irritated skin. Our ChitoCare beauty Hand Cream, containing a bouquet of natural oils and ingredients, will protect rough, dry or sensitive hands without leaving any greasy residue.

Contrary to popular belief, even oily skin needs moisture. Some creams and moisturizers can clog pores, so some people with oily skin tend to wrongfully avoid moisturizing. All ChitoCare beauty creams are non-comedogenic, so they are easily absorbed without clogging pores, causing breakouts or leaving greasy after-effects – even on oily or combination skin. As macadamia oil also sits low on the comedogenic scale, it’s suitable for acne-prone skin. Its aforementioned fatty acid content makes macadamia oil anti-inflammatory, which is perfect for reducing redness, puffiness and soreness – common side effects of acne-troubled skin.

Carrier and conditioner

Macadamia oil is also a fabulous carrier oil, which means exactly what you think it means: it helps carry other ingredients further into the skin for better absorption. This makes macadamia oil a powerful ally when it comes to skin care, as it can aid other products in doing their job correctly.

Furthermore, it works fabulously to condition and strengthen hair. Like coconut oil, macadamia oil is rich in fatty acids that nourish and moisturize both the skin and hair on your head, strengthening hair follicles and reducing hair loss. It also adds a rich shine and makes hair smoother and more manageable.

Perfect for those winter months when skin can dry up due to the cold, and ideal for sunnier days when your skin needs hydration, macadamia oil, found in both our ChitoCare beauty Face Cream and Hand Cream, really is a superfood for the skin! Try it out and your skin will become clearer, softer and better protected.