pataua oil
Photo Courtesy of Biovontade

One of the many beauty secrets for skin and hair is pataua oil. Pataua oil comes from the fruit of the palm tree that can be found growing wild in the tropical rainforest areas. Fruit is produced within its eight year and can produce up to three infructescences per year. Used for generations by the indigenous people in the Amazon rainforest, when the fruit becomes ripe they are harvested and covered for a day or two to encourage further ripening. 

The traditional method of extraction entails soaking the fruits in water to separate the pulp from the seeds before shredding the fruit and placing the pulp in a container of hot water and boil until the oil appears. The patauá fruit is around 39% pulp and 61% seeds and the pulp contains 18% oil.

What is the composition of patauá oil?

This thick, dark, greenish-yellow oil has a faint herbal aroma and taste with a non-greasy feel. It has lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic fatty acids, making it a remarkable natural oil. With the high concentrations of oleic acid, it has amazing moisturizing properties. That is just the tip of the iceberg on what makes this oil treasurable, because besides that laundry list of fatty acids, it also has flavonoids, vitamins A, C, and E. This oil is on the skin and hair care radar as it works extremely well for persons suffering from dry skin, scalp, and hair.

Read more: Oleic & Linoleic Acid: The Reason You Love Oils So Much and 4 Acids that are Great for Your Hair

How does patauá oil help the scalp and hair?

Any oil that has such a high concentration of oleic acid is a moisturizing heaven for dry hair, and the benefits go beyond just moisturizing. Patauá oil is also great for treating dandruff, revitalizing strands, and adding a healthy sheen. It is believed to help keep the hair and scalp hydrated, nourished, and protected. The top benefit of this Amazon rainforest oil is how well it seals and restores the moisture level of the hair and scalp. It has regenerative properties that not only stave off pre-mature aging but also adds softness. This sweet aromatic oil also soaks into hair without a greasy feel easily and quickly in comparison to olive oil. As this oil finds its way into our hearts, we may be seeing it in ingredient lists in our favorite products. Until then you can purchase the oil by itself or try these products formulated with this phenomenal oil.

Products with Patauá oil

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