Kukui Nut Oil and its Skin Health Benefits
Whenever I hear success stories of how Kukui oil has helped someone’s eczema I know I am doing the right thing! Hawaiian Kukui nut oil has helped so many of our customers since we started handcrafting Hawaiian Bath & Body® natural soaps. We put Kukui oil in all our products and it’s ground zero when we begin formulating something new. This is Helen (not her real name but yes she’s a real person!) and this is her beautiful, soft and supple neck without the scaly skin of eczema that tormented her for years.
Scaly Skin
Many of us either suffer from or know someone who suffers from eczema. It is very common here in the islands. I’ve encountered every walk of life from infants with their brand new baby skin to the elderly who have suffered and dealt with eczema all their lives, and everyone in between. Being in the public arena and talking to people candidly about their skin and their hygiene habits, conversations rapidly go from, “Aloha, how are you?” to, “My Auntie has scaly skin,” to, “I think of you when I’m in the shower!” And when I meet someone from here who’s never heard of the health benefits of Kukui oil, I love the chance to share! So this just happened! I was asking around the office what I should write my next blog about and lots of ideas were being thrown around. Then someone said, “Write about everyone having eczema!” then someone else said, “Ya, Helen used it and felt relief in 3 days!” How did I not know that one of my employees had eczema AND hasn’t had a breakout in months?! The same amount of months that she’s been working here!! Because she started using our soaps and kukui oil!!! I kid you not, it just happened!! I ran into the store and patiently waited while she was helping a customer. Helen is one of our newest employees having started 5 months ago. She’s born and raised here, one of 5 siblings but the only one with eczema. She’s always had itchy, scaly skin on her neck, from ear to ear, a difficult area to cover up, which often left her feeling a little self-conscious. Island style is not usually associated with wearing turtleneck sweaters, plus they made her skin itchier. To try to get rid of what she called, “crocodile skin,” she would scrape and scratch it off as best she could then cover it with makeup. Neither of which helped and both of which exacerbated the problem.
Kukui Means ‘Enlightenment' in Hawaiian
During training for her retail sales position Helen learned of all the great skin care benefits of Kukui oil and how it is the basis for and the integrity of our Hawaiian Bath & Body® soap and skincare line. All our team members, from Retail to Production, know the skin health properties of this great Hawaiian oil and readily share it with the guests who visit our store. On a basic level, Kukui oil moisturizes dry chapped skin, helps soothe the effects of sunburn and is great for stopping the itch from bug bites. Every guest gets a little drop to sample. On a treatment level Kukui is considered to be a well-balanced oil good for both dry and oily skin. It is loaded with Oleic acid and Linoleic acids, both of which have high levels of fatty acids. It is also naturally full of vitamins A, C and E, antioxidants that are known to protect your skin from environmental effects and prevent free-radical damage to skin cells. It’s the 25%-30% oleic acid, so close to the makeup of your own sebum, which absorbs so nicely into your skin leaving it feeling smooth and silky, never greasy. Oleic acid is known to reduce inflammation, and helps to regenerate your skin. Almost equally balanced at 35%-45% is Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Our bodies do not produce this essential fatty acid so we must get it from outside sources. Kukui nut oil is the perfect source! In topically applied tests, Lanoleic acid has reduced clogged pores by more than 25% in a short time. And it also helps with water loss prevention.
Kukui Oil Love
Using natural skincare like Hawaiian Bath & Body® that’s loaded with Kukui oil is the first step in helping soothe eczema symptoms like Helen did. There are many steps to take, like stopping the use of skincare that has irritating detergents and other harsh chemicals like parabens, and hidden ingredients lumped together in phthalates which is a substance added to plastics to give it more flexibility and durability. Reading labels can be irritating and time consuming, but your health is well worth it! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll get better at spotting the better ingredients. It warms my heart to know that Hawaiian Bath & Body® has helped so many people over the years with this beautiful island oil. For me, Kukui oil has been my, “go to!” I was introduced to it about 20 years ago, around the time we started the idea of a natural soap with no harsh ingredients and lots of Kukui oil. I use it every morning and every evening, after every trip to the beach or time in the pool. It’s my, “go to” for moisturizing, for stopping bug bite itch and for helping to heal scraps and cuts. On the occasion that I actually do wear makeup, it’s my remover! I used it on both my kids’ bottoms (never a diaper rash!) and on their sweet baby skin and they continue to use it as teens. I love Kukui oil, it’s a must for me and my family! Let it be part of your skin health routine too.
Aloha and a hui hou!
Debora
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Welcome!
Aloha, e komo mai! Welcome to our new website, a reintroduction, a rebirth, a new beginning with the same strong mission that has held true since the onset of our natural handcrafted soap journey. Since the beginning, the basis for and the integrity of Hawaiian Bath & Body® has been Hawaiian Kukui nut oil. We created a handcrafted soap without harmful chemicals that could hurt your skin, a natural soap that was gentle on your skin, eco-friendly for our environment and safe for our reefs. In this mission we have been successful and I am so very proud and humbled by all the long time Hawaiian Bath & Body® soapers!!
Ingredients
Jump to ingredient list:
Essential Oils | Specialty Oils & Butters
Always test for skin sensitivity prior to widespread use and use on the feet when possible. Excessive use of any oil can lead to skin sensitization. Keep out of eyes, ears, or nose. Not all oils are created equal, so test brands carefully, and never use an oil in a way not recommended by its maker.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Bergamot BF (bergaptene free):
Known to promote healthy skin with its cleansing and rejuvenating properties. It’s used in aromatherapy for its calming effect.
Cinnamon Leaf (organic):
Widely used for digestive support, we use cinnamon essential oil for its antibacterial properties. When applied to skin, it helps circulation and soothes sore muscles and joints.
Cedarwood:
Aromatherapy benefits of this oil include calming and soothing effects in massage. It is known to help skin recover and promotes clear, healthy skin.
Citronella:
Not just any insect repellant!! Used in our soaps, citronella essential oil has known antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal skincare properties.
Clary Sage:
We use Clary sage in many of our products because of its known antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, disinfectant, and astringent skincare properties. Health benefits of this oil include uses for digestive and respiratory discomforts.
Clove Bud:
A rich and spicy scent, Clove bud oil is unique and powerful when used in aromatherapy for its stress reliever and mind stimulant. Combine this with its known antiseptic and soothing properties, it makes for a great soap.
Corn Mint:
Indigenous to Asia, Cornmint is often confused with peppermint because they have similar uses. We use it in our Sage Mint soap for its antimicrobial and antiseptic skincare properties.
Eucalyptus:
One of our favorite essential oils, we use it in many products. Eucalyptus essential oils is known to reduce stress hormones, boost your immune system and is a natural antibacterial.
Geranium Rose:
This essential oil promotes healthy, clear skin by helping to repair and rejuvenate skin cells. Its well-known aromatherapy benefits for emotional support include stress reduction.
Ginger:
The benefits for this oil are primarily the same as using fresh ginger root for digestion and other internal discomforts. Its spicy woody scent is very distinguishable. Its known skincare properties include being an antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
Lavender:
Most commonly known for its calming benefits, lavender essential oil is also known as an antiseptic, bacteria inhibitor and skin regulator promoting skin health. Its known antiseptic and antifungal properties are used in helping to ease symptoms of acne and psoriasis.
Lemon:
Aromatic and full of antioxidants uplifting lemon essential oil is a natural antibacterial making it an uplifting essential oil used to help symptoms of acne and eczema.
Lemongrass:
Blended in our Ginger Lemongrass soap, Lemongrass is a known antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial. Its astringent and antiseptic properties help tone and sterilize your skin.
Lime:
Full of antioxidants, this refreshing and uplifting citrus oil has disinfectant and antibiotic skincare benefits.
Palmarosa:
Palmarosa essential oil is a known antiseptic, bactericide and cytophylactic which promotes cell growth.
Patchouli:
The many health benefits of Patchouli essential oil include being an antidepressant, an antiseptic, an astringent and a fungicide. These many properties make Patchouli oil a multifaceted skin care oil that promotes a smooth and glowing complexion.
Peppermint:
Held as one of the oldest essential oil, Peppermint oils has gone through rigorous testing for health benefits. For the skin, this oil has a cooling effect because it contains menthol. It also has antiseptic and regenerative properties.
Pink Grapefruit:
This essential oil has a light and uplifting aroma used to enhance and uplift the spirit. It has cleansing and astringent and revitalizing properties.
Nutmeg:
This essential oil is a baker’s friend for good reason, it’s known for helping digestion and relieving gas. Its health properties include aromatherapy benefits like reducing stress and anxiety and for relaxing. And it’s a known antiseptic.
Sandalwood:
A many splendored thing! Sandalwood essential oil is known for its many health benefits because of its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, astringent and disinfectant properties.
Spearmint:
Spearmint essential oil has been used in aromatherapy to help uplift your mood with its refreshing aroma. It’s a known antibacterial and antimicrobial widely used in toothpaste and mouthwash to protect from infection.
Sweet Orange:
This refreshing essential oil is used in aromatherapy to create a happy, relaxed mood. Health benefits due to its known properties include providing relief from inflammation, helps alleviate depression, inhibits microbial growth and helps symptoms of acne.
Rosemary:
Rosemary is full of Vitamins A, C and Folate and is rich in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Widely used to freshen breath and beneficial in reducing stress with documented studies on its use as a cognitive stimulant.
Rosewood:
From Brasil, this essential oil is known for many uses including headache and toothache relief, widely used as an antidepressant, an antiseptic and an insect repellent.
Tea Tree:
Native to Australia, Tea Tree essential oil is widely used worldwide because of its many powerful properties. Since ancient times, Australians have been using Tea Tree oil as an antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral and as an antiseptic.
SPECIALITY OILS & BUTTERS
Avocado Oil & Butter:
Avocado butter and oil are loaded with Vitamins C, A and E, potassium and lecithin, all known skin enhancing nutrients and easily absorbed through your skin to promote new and healthy skin growth.
Cocoa Butter & Oil:
Cocoa butter is full of Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C as well as beneficial fatty acids that neutralize free radicals in your skin. The antioxidants create a protective barrier against damaging environmental pollutants while keeping your skin deeply moisturized.
Coconut Oil:
The health benefits of Coconut oil are many. Applied or eaten, it helps maintain healthy skin, hair and digestion. It is full of lauric acid that destroys harmful viruses and bacteria. It also has caprylic acid that has antifungal properties.
Jojoba Oil:
Jojoba oil is known primarily for its hair care benefits. Its anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial properties help keep your scalp clean and healthy, and it is naturally pH balanced.
Kukui Nut Oil (Kukui nut tree is Hawai`i’s State Tree!):
Kukui nuts and its oil have been used by Polynesians for centuries! They used it for skin and hair care. Rich in Vitamins A, C and E, antioxidents that help prevent free radical cell damage. Kukui oil also has high concentrations of linoleic and linolenic acids, both very similar to your own sebum making it easily absorbed into your skin to help sooth symptoms of dry skin, sunburn, and eczema.
Macadamia Nut Oil:
Beneficial for your body, both inside and out. Internally Macadamia oil helps to lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol. Its skincare benefits due to macadamia oil being high in oleic and palmitoleic fatty acids help soothe and moisturize inflamed and dry skin.
Mango Butter:
A bite of mango is heaven on earth! Used for skincare, it leaves your skin feeling heavenly! This tropical butter is high in oleic and stearic fatty acids that help moisturize and repair damaged skin. It is rich in Vitamins C and A, helping to promote your skin’s natural collagen production.
Palm Oil (we use certified sustainable palm oil):
Palm oil is high in Vitamin E, an antioxidant historically used for helping skin ailments. Its reddish color comes from its prime compound, beta-carotene.
Olive Oil:
Olive oil is primarily oleic acid, a fatty acid that helps olive oil penetrate your skin easily, nourishing the skin with all its antioxidants. Anti-inflammatory phenols and antimicrobial properties add to the health benefits of this oil.
Rice Bran Oil:
Rice bran oil is rich in Vitamin E, an antioxidant known for neutralizing free radicals in your body. Tocopherols are directly connected to skin health helping cellular regeneration.
Sweet Almond Oil:
Sweet almond oil has a light texture that easily penetrates your skin to soften and moisturize. It is full of monounsaturated fats that hydrate the skin leaving cell membranes healthy. It is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin A and E, and magnesium.