Babassu butter or Babassu oil can be found in a variety of skin and hair care products such as soap, moisturizer and conditioner. Babassu butter is suggested to nourish the hair and smooth the skin because of its protective qualities. Promoters say all skin and hair types can benefit from Babassu butter.
Background
The Babassu palm is a tall palm tree that grows in tropical northeastern Brazil. It's easy to spot with its feathery leaves. The clear yellow Babassu oil lies in the kernels of the tree's hard-shelled nuts. In addition to being a key ingredient in soap and other personal care products, Babassu oil can be used in cooking and as a lubricant.
Effects
Babassu oil contains lauric and myristic acids, which melt on contact with the skin. These fatty acids are found in some foods. You will feel a cooling sensation as Babassu butter quickly penetrates the skin without leaving a greasy feeling, according to the website NaturalSourcing.com.
Benefits
Emollient properties in Babassu oil make it a key ingredient in lotions, body butter and lip balm. Emollients can soften the feel of skin and diminish dryness and scaling, according to SkinCarePhysicians.com, a website maintained by the American Academy of Dermatology. Babassu butter may also protect and condition the hair without leaving a greasy feel. Damaged and dry hair, in particular, may benefit from the oils restorative effects.
Considerations
Babassu oil and coconut oil have comparable properties, which is why they are sometimes used interchangeably. Coconut oil can help preserve the skin's natural oils and outer protective layer, and the natural oils that maintain suppleness, according to Harvard Health Publications. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate cosmetics, so products can claim to benefit the skin and hair without being required to provide proof of their effectiveness.
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