This article describes four natural ingredients that, when combined, result in a non-greasy formula that moisturizes skin, nails, hair, and can be used as a makeup remover. Most of the ingredients, except one, have been around and are well known for centuries. Each one makes a contribution to a unique oil with many beneficial qualities for skin and health.
squalene (Research with squalene began in the early 20th century in Japan, unlike the other three ingredients that have been used, studied and tested for centuries) It is an oil derived from various sources. The most interesting source is the removal of the liver from deep-sea sharks that live in ocean waters 600 to 1,000 meters (about 1,970 feet to 3,280 feet) deep. At that depth, there is little to no sunlight, extreme pressure, and low oxygen supply. Their success in living and thriving at that depth is due to their livers, which make up almost a quarter of their total body weight. These deep-sea sharks, among other things, were found to be immune to cancer and some other disease, which is surprising when they live at levels in the ocean with such low oxygen content in the water.
In the early 1900s, Japanese researchers discovered the initial benefits of shark liver extract and began testing some applications. From a chemical point of view, squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon, which combined with water produces oxygen. As an oxygen carrier, squalene plays a key role in maintaining health. Another source of squalene is olive oil. Researchers have validated the positive health effects of olive oil for decades. There are documented results of the decrease in the incidence of internal cancers in crops with diets rich in olive oil.
Recent studies have identified squalene as a natural protective agent for human sebum. Sebum is the normal lubricant for hairy and non-hairy skin. It keeps the skin supple and forms a protective bacterial and fungicidal layer on the skin that helps maintain moisture on the skin’s surface. These findings promote the use of Squalene in dermatological applications. Squalene has been shown to be beneficial in the application of topical healing medications. It is easily combined with other ingredients and increases the rate of penetration of the squalene/drug compound through the epidermis.
Lanolin It is derived from sheep’s wool. In its pure form, it is a wax with a variety of different uses, both industrial and medical. For this writing we will not go into the industrial uses but rather the uses of medical grade lanolin. It has been used for centuries in cream form to soften the skin. It is hypoallergenic and bacteriostatic. Lanolin as an ointment, is well known and used throughout the world by nursing mothers on sore and cracked nipples. Plus, it has proven benefits as a balm for chapped lips, to treat diaper rash, moisturize dry and itchy skin, soften calluses, treat hair, treat minor cuts, sunburns, and abrasions.
Lanolin, like squalene, is easily absorbed through the skin. This characteristic provides a fast action due to the inherent medicinal properties of lanolin. Lanolin, in one form or another, has been used for health and beauty treatments since shepherds first learned how to extract it from sheep’s wool.
Beaver oil It is extracted from the castor bean. The beans are grown predominantly in India, Brazil, and China. Castor oil is also noted for its medicinal benefits. It is also used as a chemical raw material or additive that is easily combined with other ingredients and does not lose its medicinal qualities. Used on the skin, it penetrates quickly and deeply due to its molecular weight. This allows castor oil components to be used in skin conditioners, shampoos, lipsticks, and lip balms. Additional uses include as an anti-inflammatory agent, pain reliever during ultrasound, in prescription antifungal creams, chemotherapy, and more. Castor oil is so widely used that there is a strong global commodity market based on its sale and distribution.
Vitamin E is the fourth ingredient in our mix. Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with distinctive antioxidant activities. Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals damage cells and can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Our bodies are exposed to free radicals through the environment we live in, i.e. cigarette smoke, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and others.
Many foods provide vitamin E in its natural form, including nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals. Its success with free radicals and ease of combination with other ingredients makes it a natural topical skin oil.
