What is Neem Oil?

Neem oil comes from the seed of the tropical neem tree, also known as Indian lilac. Neem oil has a wide history of use as a folk remedy around the world, and has been used to treat many conditions. Although it has a harsh odor, it’s high in fatty acids and other nutrients, and it’s used in a variety of beauty products like skin creams, body lotions, hair products, and cosmetics.

Neem oil contains many ingredients that are extremely beneficial to the skin. Some of those ingredients include:

• fatty acids (EFA)
• limonoids
• vitamin E
• triglycerides
• antioxidants
• calcium

It has been used in beauty regimens and skin care to:

• treat dry skin and wrinkles
• stimulate collagen production
• reduce scars
• heal wounds
• treat acne
• minimize warts and moles

Neem oil may also be used to treat the symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, and other disorders of the skin

The medicinal utilities have been described especially for neem leaf. Neem leaf and its constituents have been demonstrated to exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycaemic, antiulcer, antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties.

How to use neem oil on your skin

Be sure to purchase an organic, 100 percent pure, cold-pressed neem oil. It will be cloudy and yellowish in color and will have an odor resembling mustard, garlic, or sulfur. When you’re not using it, store it in a cool, dark place.

Before putting neem oil on your face, do a patch test on your arm. If within 24 hours you don’t develop any signs of an allergic reaction — such as redness or swelling — it should be safe to use the oil on other areas of your body.

Pure neem oil is incredibly potent. To treat acne, fungal infections, warts, or moles, use undiluted neem oil to spot treat affected areas.

1. Lightly dab the neem oil onto the area using a cotton swab or cotton ball, and allow it to soak in for up to 20 minutes.
2. Wash off the oil with warm water.
3. Use daily until you achieve desired results.

Because of the potency of neem oil, it’s a good idea to mix it with equal parts of a carrier oil — like jojoba, grapeseed, or coconut oil — when using it for larger areas of the face or body, or on sensitive skin.

The carrier oil can also subdue the odor of neem oil, or you can add a few drops of other oils like lavender to improve the smell. Once the oils are blended, use the combination as you would a moisturizer on the face and body.

If you find the oil combination to be too oily, you can mix a few drops of neem oil with aloe vera gel, which also will be soothing to irritated skin.

Neem oil can also be added to a warm bath to treat larger areas of the body.

More Benefits

The main chemical constituents of Neem Carrier Oil are: Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Vitamin C, and Carotenoids.

OLEIC ACIDS (OMEGA 9) are known to:

• Maintain the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair
• Stimulate the growth of thicker, longer, and stronger hair
• Reduce the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines
• Eliminate dandruff and thereby support hair growth
• Boost immunity
• Exhibit anti-oxidant properties
• Prevent joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain

STEARIC ACID is known to:

• Have cleansing properties that purge dirt, sweat and excess sebum from hair and skin
• Be an ideal emulsifying agent that binds water and oil
• Help products remain potent when stored for long periods of time
• Condition and protect hair from damage without diminishing luster or making it feel heavy
• Have exceptional cleansing properties
• Soften skin

PALMITIC ACID is known to:

• Have emollient properties
• Soften hair without leaving a greasy or sticky residue
• Be the most common saturated fatty acid

LINOLEIC ACIDS (OMEGA 6) are known to:

• Moisturize hair and promote its growth
• Facilitate wound healing
• Be an effective emulsifier in the formulation of soaps and quick-drying oils
• Exhibit anti-inflammatory properties
• Soothe acne and reduce chances of future outbreaks
• Promote moisture retention in skin and hair
• Make oils feel thinner in consistency when used in an oil blend, thus being beneficial for use on acne-prone skin

ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID (OMEGA-3) is known to:

• Lessen inflammation
• Control blood clotting on the skin
• Soothe joint pain and ease stiffness to improve flexibility

VITAMIN E is known to:

• Exhibit anti-oxidant activity
• Delay the appearance of aging
• Repair and improve the appearance of damaged tissue such as scars, acne, and wrinkles
• Protect skin and hair against environmental toxins such as those found in air pollution

CAROTENOIDS are known to:

• Exhibit anti-oxidant properties
• Prevent cellular damage
• Protect skin and hair against environmental toxins
• Repair skin damage and signs of aging caused by UV radiation, hormones, or acne
• Reduce hyperpigmentation caused by UV radiation, hormones, or acne
• Make skin appear exceptionally younger
• Stimulate the regeneration of skin
• Boost skin’s collagen and elastin production to increase thickness, elasticity, firmness, softness, and smoothness
• Hydrate skin by reducing water loss

NIMBIN is known to:

• Have antiseptic, antifungal, antipyretic and antihistamine properties
• Relieve redness and swelling

AZADIRACHTIN is known to:

• Be one of the two main active constituents derived from Neem seed kernels
• Protect the Neem tree with its insecticidal and fungicidal compounds
• Determine the quality of the Neem Carrier Oil, depending on its percentage

Used topically, Neem Carrier Oil can soothe red, itchy, inflamed skin associated with ailments like acne, burns, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes among others. Neem Oil works as a natural substitute for anti-aging products and as a protective agent against skin damage caused by UV rays. It deeply penetrates skin to restore moisture, enhance elasticity, smooth wrinkles, stimulate collagen production, and heal cracks caused by dryness. It reduces skin redness and brings out a healthy glow. Its ability to unclog pores and follicles while soothing irritated skin without leaving a greasy residue makes Neem Carrier Oil an effective agent for acne-prone skin; it prevents future breakouts by eliminating acne-causing bacteria, purging impurities, tightening the pores, and evening out skin tone. By softening the skin to make it supple, it facilitates the healing of scars and reduces their look and feel.

Used in hair, Neem Oil naturally removes dandruff and balances hair’s natural pH level, preventing future dandruff. It not only detangles hair, but it prevents hair thinning caused by pollution, stress or medication by promoting the growth of stronger, tamer hair. Regular application of Neem Oil to the scalp moisturizes hair from root to tip, maintains the health of the scalp, and repairs split ends, which can arrest the development of hair growth and create frizz. Neem Carrier Oil can rejuvenate and fortify dull, frizzy hair by conditioning it to restore its luster and strength.

Used medicinally, Neem Carrier Oil contains components that prevent and eliminate fungal infections. By soothing the irritation and eradicating the bacteria that causes them, Neem Carrier Oil can calm skin ailments such as ring worm, Athlete’s Foot, nail fungus, and cold sores. By suffocating parasites that live on skin, it effectively eradicates ailments such as scabies and head lice. When applied to minor wounds, Neem Oil reduces inflammation and facilitates faster healing by increasing blood flow to the area and helping to create collagen fibers, which strengthen, firm, and shape skin.