Organic Beauty: Tamanu oil

I love organic skin care and beauty solutions, and I think that's pretty obvious to anyone who's ever studied The Spoiled Mama's product ingredient list.

In my research of natural remedies, I discovered the wonders of tamanu oil -- a wonderful healing oil now used in our cocoa butter stretch mark removal and pregnancy stretch mark oil. It's one of my favorite pregnancy skin care solutions, and here's why!

What the heck is Tamanu oil?

Tamanu oil, a popular topical skin treatment, comes from dark green seeds of the Tamanu tree. The tree is native to tropical Southeast Asia, Africa, the Pacific Region and some parts of Australia.

While the tree is a popular ornamental plant, it has medicinal applications coveted by many: its oil is believed to regenerate skin tissue, and its leaves are even used for natural skin care in Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Samoa.

The tamanu oil comes from the pit of the tree's fruit, which is sun-dried for two months until it develops a dark, rich oil. The oil is then cold pressed, much like how olive oil is produced. Tamanu oil is safe to use on your body, face and for pregnant women, as well.

COOL FACT: It takes 220 lbs of tamanu fruit, the amount that one tree produces annually, to yield just 11 lbs of oil!

Why is Tamanu oil so amazing?

For centuries, tamanu oil has been used to help regenerate new tissue, accelerate wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. As early as 1918, French researchers investigated the unique topical benefits of tamanu oil.

To areas where the plant is native, its oil has been used to treat cuts, scrapes, burns, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, sunburns, dry skin, blisters, eczema and more! Additionally, tamanu oil has antineuralgic (relieves sharp nerve pain), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antioxidant properties.

How can I use Tamanu oil during my pregnancy?

The Spoiled Mama uses this wonderful topical oil in our stretch mark removal solutions. In both our Tummy Butter and Bump Gloss Oil, it is an active ingredient to help fade stretch marks and prevent new ones from appearing.

Since stretch marks are essentially tears in the dermis caused from rapid weight gain and loss, regular use of tamanu oil can encourage new skin growth and encourage elasticity in your growing skin. Our Bump Gloss oil can also be used for perineal massages to help stretch the skin and prepare it for vaginal birth. 

Can I use Tamanu oil in my postpartum skincare routine?

Yes, indeed! Stretch marks after pregnancy are common. If those tale-tell red lines appear, continue using our pregnancy stretch mark cream to help fade and even your skin tone.

Again, tamanu oil's skin regenerative powers will help accelerate the healing of these tears and restore it with new, healthy skin!