Which oil do you swear by for the health and beauty of your skin and hair? Olive oil? Almond oil? Coconut oil? Or essential oils? Whatever your beauty oil preference is, you are sure to rethink it after going through this article. Here, we will be talking about a less famous natural oil called ‘camelina oil,’ which is the powerhouse of beauty. If you are game for new beauty explorations, the details of this unique skin- and hair-friendly oil will make you wonder. So, let us talk about why you should use camelina oil for skin and hair.
Camelina oil is obtained from an annual or winter annual plant named Camelina sativa or ‘Gold of Pleasure,’ which belongs to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family of plants. It is native to Northern Europe and Central Asia. But nowadays, it is also found in North America, South America, New Zealand, and Australia, mainly as an oilseed crop. Camelina Sativa is a small flowering shrub having tiny greenish or pale yellow-colored flowers. It often grows in flax fields and hence, is also known as ‘false flax.’ Some other names of the Camelina plant are wild flax, Scotch heather, Siberian oilseed, linseed dodder, German sesame, etc.
Camelina oil is obtained from an annual or winter annual plant named Camelina sativa or ‘Gold of Pleasure,’ which belongs to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family of plants. It is native to Northern Europe and Central Asia. But nowadays, it is also found in North America, South America, New Zealand, and Australia, mainly as an oilseed crop. Camelina Sativa is a small flowering shrub having tiny greenish or pale yellow-colored flowers. It often grows in flax fields and hence, is also known as ‘false flax.’ Some other names of the Camelina plant are wild flax, Scotch heather, Siberian oilseed, linseed dodder, German sesame, etc.
# Maintains the Health of Skin
Essential fatty acids are needed to make our skin healthier, maintain proper skin functionalities, and treat various skin conditions. As our body cannot produce EFAs naturally, topical application of camelina oil can deliver it to our skin in significant amounts. Being loaded with polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dermatitis, and visible skin abnormalities.
# Keeps the Skin Well-HydratedCamelina oil is highly recommended for dry and sensitive skin due to the abundance of the antioxidant vitamin E, moisturizing cholesterol, and a phytosterol called brassicasterol in it. It creates a healthy barrier all over the skin to enhance its natural preventive properties. This helps maintain the hydration of the skin’s surface by reducing the loss of its natural moisture, especially in premature and newborn babies. It also averts bacteria and other harmful foreign substances to enter broken skin.
# Treats Inflammatory ConditionsThe EFAs, especially alpha-linolenic acid, present in camelina oil contribute to its excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It provides our skin with a huge amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps in reducing inflammation as well as swelling while relieving and soothing the skin efficiently. The oil can treat several inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc., by easing dryness, redness, itching, chafing, etc.
# Keeps Dandruff Away
Massaging the scalp with camelina oil is a superb hair care treatment as it contains linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, almost 10 times higher than other similar oils. It regulates oil production in the scalp, locks in must-have moisture, and provides adequate nourishment to treat dryness and flakiness. As a result, the scaly and irritated scalp becomes healthy, relieved, and free of pesky dandruff.
# Makes Hair Soft and Healthy
Warming up camelina oil and massaging the scalp gently work as a perfect hot oil conditioning treatment for hair. Moreover, the antioxidants in the oil combat free radical damage to keep the hair shafts protected from environmental factors. All these turn the hair softer, smoother, and healthier
# Enhances Hair ShineAs camelina oil comes loaded with omega-3 essential fatty acids, it makes the elasticity and the texture of hair better. The hair starts looking well-moisturized and shiny, sans the feeling of greasiness.