What are its benefits for skin and hair?
When looking for a natural product to improve the appearance of skin and hair, one might turn to Karanja oil, extracted from the Pongam tree in South Asia. This product is also known as pongamia oil, and thanks to its nutrient content, such as oleic acid and flavonoids, it helps problematic skin and sensitive scalps: discover all its properties.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEEM OIL AND KARANJA OIL? WHY IS IT GOOD FOR YOU?
Karanja oil is an oil extracted from the Pongam plant in South Asia, which is why it is also called pongamia oil.
It is often compared to Neem oil because it is also extracted from an Asian plant (very common in India) and the uses are very similar. Karanja oil is actually more pleasant to smell, so much so that some people describe its scent as similar to peanuts.
Among the benefits of Karanja oil for skin and hair are certainly its moisturizing benefits: it contains high amounts of oleic acid, an ingredient with strong emollient power.
Pongamia oil is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, but we will only talk about its aesthetic properties here. It is said that when applied to problematic skin, Karanja oil can help fight psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
But how is Karanja oil used? You can use it pure on the skin and scalp, with some precautions, or use one of the products that contain it in their formulation.
There has been a lot of talk about it lately, so much so that some have gone so far as to call it the ingredient of the future for skincare: Karanja oil, also called pongamia oil because it is extracted from the Pongam tree, is famous for its benefits on the skin and hair. Indeed, Karanja oil contains high percentages of oleic acid, which has moisturizing and emollient powers, but it is also used to combat dry and flaky skin, as well as acne.
Let's not waste any more time and get straight to the point: follow me in this post to discover what Karanja oil is in detail, how it is used, and what its properties are for our beauty routine.
WHAT KARANJA OR PONGAMIA OIL IS AND WHY IT IS COMPARED TO NEEM OIL
As we have already mentioned, ladies and gentlemen, this skincare oil bears the name of the tree from which it is extracted, namely the Pongam tree, which grows luxuriously in the territories of South Asia.
Karanja oil has been used for thousands of years by local populations because it possesses excellent properties according to Ayurvedic medicine: for example, it is attributed with antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
If we exclude, of course, the more curative part of pongamia oil, it is known to be often recommended as a final step in skincare to combat skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
It is also compared to Neem oil, since both shrubs from which the oils are extracted grow in South Asia and they have similar properties. However, do not confuse Karanja oil with neem: as we just mentioned, ladies and gentlemen, these are actually two different plants.
Furthermore, those who have tried both oils on their skin or hair assure that pongamia oil is more pleasant to smell, as it is less bitter than its "cousin" Neem.
THE BENEFITS OF PONGAMIA OIL FOR BEAUTY: FROM MOISTURIZING TO ANTISEPTIC PROPERTIES
Beauties, the reason why Karanja oil is widely used in the beauty world is that it contains truly interesting ingredients for our skin and hair. One of them is the aforementioned oleic acid.
KARANJA OIL IS ANTIBACTERIAL
Karanja oil possesses many beneficial properties for the body. It is found in many foods, such as olive oil, and is renowned for its energizing and anti-inflammatory properties.
It goes without saying, ladies and gentlemen, that even without delving into the question of nutrition, oleic acid immediately appears as a valuable ingredient for skincare. HOW TO USE KARANJA OIL ON THE SKIN TO ACHIEVE A RADIANT COMPLEXION WITHOUT IMPERFECTIONS?
Thanks to the precious content of Karanja oil, this product is particularly suitable for use on skin with imperfections such as acne and pimples, even deep-seated ones, but also on skin affected by dermatitis, psoriasis, and herpes.
The presence of fatty acids such as oleic acid helps make it an excellent remedy for inflammatory skin conditions.
In addition, the flavonoids and antioxidants contained in pongamia oil help treat skin that lacks elasticity, restoring firmness and tone.
KARANJA OIL CAN ALSO BE APPLIED ALONE ON THE SKIN
But in practice, how do you use Karanja oil on the skin? There are a number of skincare products on the market that contain it in their formulation. You just have to choose the right blend for your skin.
If you want to use pure Karanja oil on your skin, the advice is to mix it with a vegetable carrier oil like almond oil. I also told you about this in the post on using essential oils in skincare: I'll leave you the in-depth article; if you are interested in the subject, click on the link.
USING KARANJA OIL ON YOUR HAIR: FROM UV PROTECTION TO SOOTHING THE SCALP
If you suffer from a sensitive scalp, you can use pongamia oil as a soothing treatment. Indeed, thanks to the substances contained in this natural product, we can have a soothing effect in case of irritation. It also acts as an antibacterial, so it is also perfect if we have dandruff or flakes.
It is used directly on the scalp and left to act after a light massage to help it penetrate deeply, then proceed with the classic wash, preferably with a cowash or a gentle, soothing shampoo.
As I have already mentioned, my beauties, Karanja oil offers UV protection, making it an excellent alternative to classic sprays, especially if you are looking for an organic or natural product.
In addition, pongamia oil, thanks to its antioxidant content, can help protect color against fading: it can be applied alone on the lengths with a cotton pad, especially if you know you are going to be in the sun for a long time.
You can also add a few drops of Karanja oil to our DIY hair masks if you want a revitalizing effect on the hair shaft, which becomes more elastic.