Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to the next biggest thing in natural skincare! Baobab oil benefits aren't as widely known as, say, jojoba or maracuja, but they are definitely just as sweet. Baobab oil comes from the baobab tree which blooms once a year, often at night, and its native to Australia, Africa, and Madagascar. The spidery, root-like arms of the tree have dubbed it the "upside down tree," growing close to 100 feet and living for more than 1,000 years. Yes, this oil has a story to tell — one of beauty and nutrients that your hair and skin can benefit from. The oil is slightly more expensive than vegetable oils, but the price is well worth it. As more and more beauty companies begin to introduce baobab oil into their products, it has easily become a rival of argan oil.
Shea Terra Organic Baobab Oil, $19, Amazon
If memory serves me correct, there should be a change in temperature coming as we slip towards the spring. With the constant snowfall and sub-zero temperatures on the east coast, I've been toying with paranoid thoughts of "What if spring never comes?" on a weekly basis. If that's the case, my hair will literally all break out and my skin flake off in dry desperation. Keeping a positive attitude during the last weeks of hell — I mean, winter — I've already started making some DIY moisturizers that are light, fun, and have spring weather written all over it. That means I'll be trading in heavy oils for a light-weight oil, like baobab, to rejuvenate skin that has been damaged from the dry winter.
According to the Organic Authority, baobob oil improves the elasticity of skin while reversing and healing damaged skin. Since the oil from the upside down tree is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and F, it's amazing for restoring your complexion and combating early signs of aging. It's excellent for all skin types because the oil is so easily absorbed into the skin without clogging pores or providing a greasy residue, leaving your skin smooth and touchable.
Sources at the Huffington Post claim that baobab has one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit in the world while being a substantial source of vitamin C. Antioxidants are important for hair and skin health; they protect our skin from looking old and dull while eliminating harmful toxins that get in the way of our skin's natural ability to defend. According to Naturally Curly, this oil is great for natural hair because it also contains fatty acids that are essential to having strong, shiny locks that grow. You know, all the things winter has robbed your hair of.
If you are looking to turn your DIY beauty projects into DIY skin couture ventures, then check out some of these recipes below.
Oil Cleanse
Shea Terra Organic Baobab Oil, $19, AmazonViva Naturals Jojoba Oil, $11, AmazonLeven Rose Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil, $14, Amazon
According to Wellness Mama, Crunchy Betty, and sources at Acne.org, oil cleansing is one of the most effective and natural methods for getting clear skin. Since oil dissolves oil, cleansing with nutrient-heavy oils won't necessarily make you an oily, hot mess. Personally, I found that when I introduced this type of cleansing into my routine, it worked best once a week, but if your face has already adjusting to oil cleansing, use as often as you normally would. My recipe is one part baobab oil, one part jojoba oil, and five drops of sea buckthorn oil. Gently massage your cleanser directly on your face and neck and rinse with warm water.
Eye Cream
This recipe is a take on an outstanding recipe from Aura Cacia. This eye cream is great for anyone suffering from a case of the bags and sags, as I affectionately call them, or dryness around the eye area. You'll need the following:
- 6 teaspoons baobab oil (Since baobab can be pricy and less common in stores, feel free to use 3 teaspoons and substitute the other 3 teaspoons for jojoba or argan oil)
- 1 teaspoon of beeswax
- 5 drops of geranium essential oil
- 5 drops carrot seed oil
I use a blender to mix my ingredients together instead of a low heat stovetop, but either one will work to make sure that all your oils are mixed together thoroughly. According to Aura Cacia, this eye cream should be the last step in your facial routine and used twice daily.
Image: Styg Nygaard; Giphy; Kristin Collins Jackson
