TAMANU OIL - OilTrac™ TAMANU S LO

Introduction to Tamanu Oil

The Tamanu tree (scientific name: Calophyllum inophyllum) is a large evergreen tree commonly found growing wild or cultivated in coastal regions of Vietnam. It has a broad canopy and white flowers with yellow stamens and a delicate fragrance. Its round fruits change from green to yellowish-brown as they ripen. Inside the hard shell lies a kernel rich in bioactive compounds.

Cold-pressed Tamanu oil is rich in naturally occurring fatty acids and has long been used in skincare and natural cosmetic formulations.

Ripe Tamanu fruits have a brown outer skin and contain kernels rich in natural fatty acids. After harvesting, the seeds are processed and cold-pressed to extract the oil. The oil may then undergo further refining to remove impurities, improve stability, and optimize its sensory properties for cosmetic applications.

Tamanu oil may contain beneficial fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid.

It also contains coumarins, calophyllic acid, and calophyllolide, which work together to contribute to its value in skincare applications.

Key Benefits of Tamanu Oil

Rich in unsaturated fatty acids and other bioactive compounds, Tamanu oil is valued in cosmetics for its ability to support:

• Moisturization: Helps nourish and soften the skin, maintain moisture, and improve elasticity.
• Antibacterial activity: Disrupts bacterial cell membranes, compromises membrane permeability, and inhibits enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, thereby preventing the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Antioxidant protection: Neutralizes free radicals and protects skin cells against damage caused by UV radiation.
• Anti-inflammatory and acne-reducing effects: Inhibits COX-2 and phospholipase A2 enzymes, reduces the production of inflammatory mediators, and helps regulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Collagen production: Supports wound healing, scar reduction, and the regeneration of damaged skin.
• Skin cell regeneration and protection: Supported by a combined oleic acid and linoleic acid content of over 66%.

What Makes Our Tamanu Oil Different?

Many unrefined Tamanu oils on the market typically have:

• A very dark color, ranging from deep green to dark brown.
• A strong, pungent odor.
• Less consistent sensory properties, which may affect the overall scent of the finished product.

Our refined Tamanu oil, on the other hand, is processed to provide:

• Reduced odor (a milder scent for easier blending)
• Lighter color (a paler appearance for easier incorporation into formulations)
• Improved stability (better suited to consistent production)