Macadamia nut oil is gaining in popularity as more and more research is finally conducted on topical benefits of macadamia nut oil for sick complexions. Sorry to break the bad news, but there is no miracle product or oil that will completely reshape your face overnight into something it never was. It literally couldn’t exist, because all of our skin needs are very different. However, some of us are still determined to find the closest miracle possible; recently I took on this task for my mother after she was diagnosed with cancer. It was only a few months ago that I understood the healing properties of macadamia oil and was able to revel in the results.
We were prepared for chemotherapy Steal my mom’s hair, eyebrows and eyelashes – or rather, I was ready. If being robbed of her daily routines and being tasked with battling cancer wasn’t scary enough, the mere fact that she slowly started not recognizing herself was devastating for my whole family. While she was fortunate enough to maintain her energy levels with only moderate illness, what kept her indoors, along with other chemo patients, was the toll it took on its natural beauty. It was then that macadamia nut became a must to restore skin tone and confidence.
My mom, being my original source of natural remedies, was obviously not happy with the amount of chemicals she needed to inject into her body to potentially kill the cancer. She was royally pissed off when each treatment brought random dark spots to her face and excessive dryness. Obviously, an ideal treatment for her complexion was going to be natural, moisturizing and lifting the scars. Unfortunately, there aren’t many valid sources that actually claim that a natural product can cure skin conditions from chemotherapy – that would be a serious ground for liability and would require extensive research which is not available. I also cannot offer this evidence, but I can offer anecdotal evidence from other cancer survivors and my mother’s personal struggle who can help other people in the same boat.
Having a nut allergy myself, I hadn’t considered macadamia nut oil until I spoke with Cherilynn, an aromatherapist at Aura Cacia, about the many people who have found relief from macadamia nut oil, a great natural product for restoring skin tone and rejuvenating dry skin. After some research, I found this to be true, especially in those who have undergone harsh chemical treatments like chemotherapy. The oil has versatile healing properties for anyone looking to combat aging and dry skin.
According to Livestrong, macadamia nut oil is rich in antioxidants that promote healing and because the oil is light, mimicking the natural oil that our skin produces, it is an effective treatment for all skin types to use without irritation. The oil contains palmitoleic acid which can delay skin and cell aging as well as prevent water loss in the skin, thus helping the skin to maintain a youthful and healthy appearance.
Macadamia nuts grow in various places around the world, they are native to Australia and cultivated commercially in the country as well. The oil is derived from nuts pressed from the tree and therefore obviously not safe for those of us with nut allergies. According to Food for Breast Cancer, nuts are naturally high in fiber, vitamin E, iron, zinc and calcium and this nut-based oil is listed on the site as one of the most oils suitable for cancer patients and survivors. Not only have many sought solace in macadamia nut oil to relieve skin conditions caused by cancer, but according to Livestrong, researchers found that the oil promotes the production of new collagen, which can lead to a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles.
As mentioned earlier, research on macadamia nut oil, especially its link to chemo patients, is scarce. This may not be the magic potion for all patients and it certainly won’t cure wrinkles and dark spots overnight. Yet, as my mom’s complexion continued to improve, I couldn’t keep this natural remedy to myself. I hope anyone suffering from dark spots and abrupt skin changes left over from chemotherapy or other chemical treatments will find comfort in macadamia nut oil. These are some of the DIY recipes that my own mom diligently uses to restore her natural beauty.
1. Daily Repairing Face Cleanser
Macadamia Oil, $ 10, Amazon; Argan Oil, $ 11.1 Amazon; Incense, $ 19, Amazon
This recipe is intended as a daily regimen to tone skin, reduce dark spots, relieve sagging skin, and hydrate. Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list; this recipe is super easy to make and completely natural. Here’s what you’ll need:
Brew the chamomile tea in 1 cup of water, adding the raw honey after 2 minutes to allow the thick honey to dissolve easily. Then add the oils and mix or mix vigorously. This mixture can be used twice a day on non-makeup skin as a cleanser.
Weekly clay mask
Hi Mom!
This clay mask was first tested on my roommate to make sure it didn’t cause irritation or excessive dryness, and it turned out to be a great restorative treatment. I used a tablespoon of European green clay from the Frontier Group and added two tablespoons of infused chamomile tea, a tablespoon of macadamia oil, and 12 drops of jasmine essential oil. I chose jasmine oil specifically for its many claims as being an anti-depressant. According to sources on cancer.gov, essential oils are used in cancer patients improve the general well-being of patients and survivors. According to Science Daily, jasmine flower is regularly researched to be a new therapy for the treatment of cancer. Most importantly (and certainly factual), my mom loves jasmine.
Picture: Rae Allen, wgossett/ Flickr; Aura Cacia; Kristin collins jackson