What is Baobab Oil
and its Benefits for Skin
Even if you haven’t heard of baobab oil, you might recognize the tree it comes from. The baobab tree has a tall, thick trunk and looks like it’s upside down with its roots in the air.
In the history of Manding, when Sundiata Keita was coming back to Manding after a brief exile, it was the Baobab leaves that make him to understand that he was in the threshold of Manding territory.
Even when the envoy from Manding went in search of Sundiata, they took with them the Baobab leaves so that they can be recognized as coming from Manding.
The Baobab is an intricate part of the Manding Empire and we have been with this funny looking upside down tree in the Savannah for many years and generations. The Shea tree and the Baobab tree are two trees that are really part of the Manding people story.
At Segems we are dedicated to bringing you the best quality and grade of the natural products that we carry in Baobab and Moringa Oils and Cocoa and Shea Butters.
The scientific name for the baobab tree is Adansonia digitata. In Africa, people call it “the tree of life” and “pharmacy tree” because of its many uses, including for baobab oil.
Baobab seed oil benefits
Baobab oil is cold-pressed from seeds for various uses, from cooking to hair care to skin care.
Baobab oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other fats, including:
palmitic acid
oleic acid
linolenic acid
linoleic acid
Clinical research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids in baobab oil have several health benefits for the skin. They can:
moisturize
help prevent water loss from the skin
soften skin
improve skin texture
improve skin elasticity
help repair the skin barrier
help to heal skin faster
reduce inflammation
In fact, linoleic acids and linolenic acids are some of the most commonly used fatty acids in skin care, cosmetics, and hair care around the world.
Baobab oil may also help to treat eczema. The omega-3 fatty acids in this oil may help heal the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture when it’s used as a topical skin treatment. This can help heal or soothe an eczema rash.
Baobab fruit and seed nutritional benefits
Baobab fruit pulp has 7 to 10 times Trusted Source more vitamin C than an orange. Both the fruit and seeds also contain several other essential minerals and vitamins, like:
calcium
iron
vitamin B
potassium
magnesium
phosphorus
manganese
Uses of baobab tree In areas where the baobab tree grows, local people use every part of the tree. The fruit, leaves, seeds, and oil processed from the seeds are used in nutritional supplements, food, and skin care.
For acne
A clinical trial found that baobab oil may help improve acne in some people. This is because it’s high in linoleic acid, a kind of omega-3 fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory properties.
For this reason, baobab oil may help reduce skin redness, irritation, and swelling to treat acne.
For scalp and hair
Other medical research Trusted Source reports that using baobab oil as a scalp treatment may help prevent or treat dandruff and skin flaking.
The high omega-3 fatty acid in baobab oil is also good for your hair. When used as a hair mask or a leave-in conditioner, baobab oil may help moisturize dry hair and strengthen weak, brittle hair.
Baobab fruit and oil aren’t high in protein. The oil may not repair damaged hair like other protein-rich hair products can.
The takeaway
Boabab oil, like other products of the baobab tree, has several health properties. The high omega-3 fatty acid content of this seed oil might make it beneficial for your skin and hair.
Baobab oil is used in many commercial skin and hair products. You can also use pure baobab oil as a skin moisturizer and hair treatment. Be sure to do a patch test to make sure it suits your skin first.
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