You probably already know this, but neem oil has been widely used for its medicinal properties in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Today, we’re going to deep dive into the benefits of neem oil for skin and hair.
Extracted from the seeds and fruits of this tree found in India & parts of Asia, neem oil is a powerhouse of antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature.
Here are a few dos and don'ts when applying neem oil.
Organic Cold Pressed Neem Oil can be applied directly on the skin. However, it is highly potent in nature, so it’s advisable to do a small patch test before using the product. Remember to dilute the oil before applying it.
You also dilute it with Sweet Almond Oil or Sesame Oil. Leave the oil mixture on for 30 minutes and then rinse off with a mild cleanser.
Neem Oil is also rich in vitamin E and rich in healthy fatty acids like palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids, which reduces free radicals damage, strengthens skin barrier and keeps your skin supple.
Thanks to healthy fatty acids and Vitamin E, it locks in moisture and is excellent for healing dehydrated, cracked skin. Remember, you must always dilute Neem Oil (2 parts) with a carrier oil like Sweet Almond or Sesame Oil (1 part) to give yourself a body massage.
As you probably already know, Neem & Neem Oil are known and widely used for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Neem can soothe redness, reduce inflammation and breakouts. This is why neem is used widely as an ingredient in many face cleansers.
Uneven skin tone, dark spots are one of the most common skincare concerns seen across both men and women. According to recent studies, neem oil balances melanin production and can be used to even out dark spots.
It contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like Nimbidin that help in treating rashes, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. Neem oil’s antiseptic and antibacterial properties help in fighting skin infections while its pain-relieving properties reduce discomfort too.
You can simply add Neem Oil along with complementary essential oils to your diffuser.
According to a study published in 2017, neem oil acts as a protective agent against UV damage and stimulates collagen production, helping you fight signs of ageing.
Neem Oil has restorative properties that aid hair growth. Adding Neem Oil it to your weekly scalp massage can promote thicker, stronger hair.
Neem oil contains several fatty acids – such as linoleic, oleic, stearic acids which nourish and revitalise scalp and hair.
Scalp health plays a vital role in hair health. Neem oil is antifungal in nature, and also provides relief from dandruff, inflammation & itchy scalp.
According to studies, Neem oil is known to be effective in treating head lice without any side effects. Neem contains an insecticidal ingredient, azadirachtin, that is known to disrupt the growth and reproduction of lice.
Fast-paced lives and hormonal imbalances can lead to premature greying. Applying neem oil can prove useful to delay further greying.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8906293/
https://www.byrdie.com/neem-oil-for-acne-4801662
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/neem-seed-extract
Manavi Siddhanti is our in-house content manager at Kama Ayurveda. A former Beauty Editor & Consultant with over 14 years of experience in the media industry.
Certified Ayurvedic Doctor (Central Council of Indian Medicine) working in Kama Ayurveda as an Assistant Training Manager.