Ingredient Spotlight: Emu Oil 

It would be wonderful to have a skincare solution that addresses all your skin frustrations. Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about emu oil benefits and how it’s a cure-all for almost anything, from wounds and dry skin to pain and inflammation. 

But what does the research say about emu oil? Is it really a skincare panacea?

What Is Emu Oil? 

An emu is an ostrich’s smaller cousin and a flightless bird. These birds are indigenous to Australia but can be found in many countries these days. Aboriginal Australians have been using emu oil as a cure-all for the past 40,000 years.

Once processed, emu oil producers put the oil through various processes to remove any impurities. The more refined the oil, the purer the emu oil. At the end of the process, emu oil is a golden, bright yellow liquid.

The oil contains 98 to 99 percent fatty acids. The remainder is a combination of vitamins, antioxidants, and other organic compounds like: 

• Oleic acid, an omega-9 fat that enhances the skin’s permeability, lowers cholesterol, and more 
• Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat that reduces dark spots and improves the barrier function of the skin 
• Palmitic acid, a saturated fat that is good for skin health 
• α-linoleic acid, an omega-3 that improves skin, lowers cancer risk, and decreases dark spots 
• Stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid that helps skin healing and hydration
• Antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids reduce inflammation and reduce eye disease   
• Terpenes like sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial properties 
• Vitamins A and E, which improve immune function and maintain healthy cell membranes  

5 Emu Oil Benefits 

1. Relieves Inflammation

From preliminary research, emu oil seems to have anti-inflammatory properties. A 1998 study on animals found that emu oil effectively inhibits chronic inflammation when it’s topically applied.  

A 2015 review also reported that emu oil has potent anti-inflammatory effects and could be used to treat inflammatory bowel syndrome and arthritis.    

Fatty acid-rich emu oil relieves inflammation by activating cyclooxygenase, lipoxin, and lipoxygenase pathways to stimulate their anti-inflammatory responses. The ingredient also reduces the white blood cell migration to sites of inflammation in the body and inhibits other inflammatory pathways. 

2. Increases the Moisture of Your Skin 

One of the significant advantages of emu oil is how the skin absorbs it. The smaller particles in the oil ensure it penetrates deeper once it’s applied. The oil also carries other helpful ingredients with it, increasing the benefits for your skin.  

With its penetrating benefits, emu oil’s thick, occlusive qualities help reduce skin damage since your skin can lock in more moisture. Well-hydrated skin is less prone to drying out and cracking and protects against eczema, psoriasis, acne, and dermatitis.    

A 1996 small-trial study found that emu oil is more moisturizing than mineral oil. 

Another trial had similar results. This time working with breastfeeding moms. The results suggest their skin was much better hydrated after applying a cream with 30 percent emu oil. The researchers also found that the women could breastfeed longer since the emu oil-containing cream prevented pain, cracking, and other discomforts.

3. Improves Wound Healing

How wonderful would it be if wound healing could benefit from emu oil? Well, studies have found that the ingredient does help bruises, burns, and cuts to heal. Linoleic acid even helps with scarring. 

Several studies conducted on mice support these wound-healing claims. In a 1999 study, researchers concluded that emu oil alleviated inflammation and promoted wound healing better than other traditional treatments.

A similar study in 2005 found that when the researchers applied emu oil swelling and effusion decreased. They stated that emu oil promotes wound healing since it inhibits local secondary inflammation. 

4. Helps Hair Growth 

If you have thinning hair, it seems that emu oil can help stimulate hair growth. Since emu oil penetrates the skin so well, the ingredient can supply your hair follicles with the fatty acids needed to encourage cell division. 

Researchers in a 2014 animal study found that emu oil has significant potency in promoting hair growth. The 1999 and 2005 studies came to the same conclusion.

5. Fights Skin Aging  

Emu oil contains various antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, and phospholipids. These antioxidants work together to promote collagen production, reducing visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. 

Moreover, emu oil reduces free radicals and oxidative stress because of its high unsaturated to saturated fats ratio. This further helps your skin to look younger. 

Ready To Benefit from Emu Oil? 

Emu oil for skin is an all-natural ingredient with promising benefits. 

Ready to see what emu oil can do for your skin?

Why not try our RELEAF US – CBD Hemp Intensive Relief Rub with 10% Emu Oil? 

The formula contains 600 mg full-spectrum CBD oil, so you know your skin is benefiting from the CBD. This ingredient also promotes hair growth, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and much more.  

And just a reminder, RELEAF US is a topical product only. This isn’t suitable for internal use. Check out the product here for more information.