Tamanu Oil for Skin: What It Does and What the Research Shows
Tamanu oil is a thick, dark green oil pressed from the nuts of the Calophyllum inophyllum tree. It is rich in fatty acids and unusual plant compounds, but most of the skin claims you will see rest on lab and animal work, not human trials.
TL;DR
- What it is: a cold-pressed oil from tamanu nuts, traditionally used across Pacific and Asian communities.
- What it contains: mostly stearic, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids, plus a resin fraction of roughly 10 to 20%.
- The research: cell-culture and animal studies report effects on skin cell growth and scratch closure. Controlled human trials of the oil are limited.
- Safety: tamanu oil is not part of the 2017 Cosmetic Ingredient Review of 244 plant oils, and a case of allergic contact dermatitis has been reported.
- Be careful: patch test first, especially with plant allergies. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are usually advised to skip it.
- Our position: tamanu oil is not in our formulas.
What is tamanu oil?
Tamanu oil is pressed from the dried nuts of the tamanu tree, Calophyllum inophyllum. On a label it appears as Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil.
It is thick and deep green, nothing like the pale, quick-absorbing oils most people are used to. A 2018 review in the journal OCL traces its long use in traditional Pacific practice through to modern cosmetics.
What is in tamanu oil?
The same review reports that the fatty acids are mostly stearic acid (about 30%), linoleic acid (about 25%), oleic acid (about 24%) and palmitic acid (about 16%). Together they make it a rich emollient.
The unusual part is the resin fraction, which makes up roughly 10 to 20% of the oil. It is mostly neoflavonoids and pyranocoumarins, and calophyllolide is the main one.
What does tamanu oil do for skin?
As an oil, it softens skin and slows water loss. That part is well established for any fatty oil.
The bigger claims, such as supporting skin renewal or calming skin, come from other work. In cell cultures, the oil and its compounds increased the growth of skin cells and sped up scratch closure. Those are lab results, not proof of what happens on your face.
What does the research say about tamanu oil?
Most of the evidence is lab-based. The OCL review describes cell-culture work on skin cells and animal tests of calophyllolide.
Controlled human trials of the oil on skin are limited, so treat the marketing with some caution. If you like the feel, enjoy it as a rich plant oil rather than a treatment.
Who should be careful with tamanu oil?
Anyone with plant allergies should patch test first. A Drugs.com monograph notes that tamanu oil may cause hypersensitivity in people allergic to plants in the same botanical family, and describes one case of allergic contact dermatitis.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are generally advised to avoid it because safety data is lacking. Our guide to patch testing skincare properly shows how.
How do you use tamanu oil?
Use a small amount, one or two drops, pressed into skin as the last step of your evening routine. It is thick, so a little goes a long way.
Blending a drop into a moisturiser makes it easier to spread. If you prefer a lighter option, sweet almond oil and rosehip oil are easier to wear.
Safety and typical concentration range
Tamanu oil is not among the 244 plant-derived fatty acid oils in the Cosmetic Ingredient Review's 2017 safety assessment, so it has no CIR conclusion of its own.
The same Drugs.com monograph notes little to no toxicity data on the plant. Amounts used vary by product, from a few drops in a blend to a pure oil.
Do we use tamanu oil at Dope Skin Co?
No. Tamanu oil is not in any of our formulas. Our Vitamin C Antioxidant Elixir blends other plant oils, including hemp seed oil and sweet almond oil.
Not sure what your skin needs? The skin quiz takes a couple of minutes.
FAQ
Is tamanu oil good for acne scars?
Marketing often says so, but controlled human trials are limited. Treat it as an emollient oil, not a scar treatment.
Is tamanu oil good for the face?
It can be used on the face in small amounts, but it is thick. Patch test first.
Does tamanu oil smell strong?
Many people find it has a distinct aroma. Smell a small amount before buying a large bottle.
Is tamanu oil a nut oil?
It is pressed from the nut of the tamanu tree. If you have plant allergies, patch test first.
Can you use tamanu oil in pregnancy?
Safety data is lacking, so it is generally advised to avoid it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
