How do I use Tamanu oil?

Also known as Pacific green gold, Tamanu is the fruit of the eponymous tree. Used in the form of oil extracted from the fruit, its many virtues make it a highly prized skin care product. Find out how to use Tamanu oil on a daily basis.

What is Tamanu oil?

Tamanu is a tree found mainly in French Polynesia. It is known for its fruit, rich in fatty acids, vitamin E and flavonoids, from which we obtain a precious oil for the skin. Also known as calophylle inophylle, this oil is used in a variety of cosmetic and dermatological products.

Tamanu oil is also very rich in linoleic acid (omega 6) and oleic acid (omega 9). It has regenerative, softening and healing properties. Naturally rich in vitamin E, it helps combat the first signs of skin aging.

It is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Pacific inhabitants use it for acne, rosacea and eczema.

How is Tamanu oil used?

If you're looking to buy Tamanu oil, it's best to choose cold-pressed, natural oil (with no other ingredients added). Tamanu oil is available as is, or as a balm. The latter is best used by infants or for small local applications, as it is a less concentrated product.

Pure Tamanu oil is very powerful and concentrated. You can use it as is, but pregnant women, for example, will prefer to dilute it with another vegetable oil of their choice (coconut, Monoi, Jojoba, almond, ylang-ylang, apricot kernel...), at a concentration of around 5 to 30%. Ideally, you should prepare your mixture in a small spray bottle, so you can be sure not to get the proportions wrong.

It can then be applied to all areas except the eye contour, including the hair as a hair mask. As with Monoi oil, it's best applied to slightly damp skin just after a shower. To do this, simply dry your skin briefly and apply your Tamanu oil directly. This makes it easier for it to penetrate your epidermis. On the hair, apply Tamanu oil to the lengths (avoiding the roots) and leave on for a few hours, or even overnight, to deeply moisturize your hair fibers.

We recommend concentric massage until fully absorbed into the skin. Please note: this oil is for external use only, and must not be eaten! Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Are there any contraindications to using Tamanu oil?

Pregnant women should take care when using Tamanu oil, diluting it with another natural vegetable oil, such as Mahana oil. Tamanu oil does not cause allergies, but it is a rubefacient. This means that it may react with certain skin types. So it's best to experiment by applying very little oil at first, and see how your skin reacts.