One of these oils that has acne-fighting and moisturizing properties (plus a slew of other skin-healthy benefits) might not be as well known as, say, jojoba oil—but it’s worth a spot in your beauty lexicon nonetheless. According to cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, founder of BeautyStat, it’s an emollient (meaning it fills in microcracks in the skin), and it “might have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial activities.” For a mask, simply mix the tamanu oil with another hydrating base ingredient (like Manuka honey or aloe) and slather on for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Or, if a moisturizer is more your jam, mix a couple of drops of tamanu oil into your favorite cream or facial oil (or find one that has tamanu oil already, like our recs below) and massage it into your skin. Even if you opt for the spot treatment, you’ll still want to dilute tamanu with another carrier oil before dabbing on troublesome areas. Its antimicrobial properties do make it an impressive remedy for blemishes, but it’s quite potent—similar to, say, tea tree oil. Acupuncturist and herbalist Antonia Balfour, LAc, seconds the warning: “I find it to be a very ‘active’ oil and can be irritating to some when used in its pure form,” she’s told us. “I always recommend diluting it at 50% with a carrier oil such as almond oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil.” Of course, if you have a tree nut allergy, steer clear of tamanu altogether. Remember: The oil is extracted from the seeds.
