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The Science of Skincare: Can Tamanu Oil Really Help Scars & Stretch Marks?

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When we hear there’s an organic oil that can be used for skin concerns such as anti-aging, acne, stretch marks, scars, razor burn, bug bites, and can be used for softer, smoother hair, we’re interested. But we are also skeptical. What does the research say? Anecdotal evidence supports beautiful hair and skin on those who use Tamanu Oil. Many people swear by Tamanu Oil for clearing up acne or fading an old scar. But does science back the Tamanu Oil folklore? What is Tamanu Oil? And how do you use it? We did Tamanu Oil Research.

Tamanu Oil nut on a Tamanu Tree.

Tamanu Oil comes from the nuts of the Tamanu Tree.

ABOUT TAMANU OIL

The locals call it “Green Gold”. Pacific island folk medicine uses Tamanu Oil for a host of natural remedies. In Southern India, Tamanu Oil is used for many skin ailments. In Taiwan, it is used for hair. Tamanu Oil has gained attention because of its’ rare beauty benefits. The oil comes from a nut of the Tamanu Tree. The Tamanu Tree is commonly found in Polynesia. Within the region, Tamanu Oil is prized for hair, skin and a host of medical uses. Ample anecdotal evidence exists for these uses. Countless people swear by Tamanu Oil. But there have been limited research studies on Tamanu Oil efficacy. Studies to date show a promising organic oil with many versatile uses.

What do we know about Tamanu Oil?

While used for years in Polynesian regions, Tamanu Oil is only a recent discovery to many of us.

Tamanu Oil is a lovely golden green color with a slight nutty scent.

Tamanu Oil is a lovely golden green color with a slightly nutty scent.

Tamanu oil is a topical healing agent that is:

  • antineuralgic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antimicrobial
  • antibiotic
  • anti-oxidant

TAMANU OIL RESEARCH STUDIES

Tamanu Oil has been long associated with many health and beauty benefits. Research studies are still developing for the documentation of several promising medical uses. There is even research into Tamanu Oil’s potential benefit for cancer and HIV.(1)

But other Tamanu Oil uses are already well documented. These areas include the healing of burns and skin diseases. (2)

Tamanu Oil is both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Tamanu Oil is used for skin conditions such as:

  • acne scars
  • burns
  • dry scalp
  • eczema
  • mosquito bites
  • psoriasis
  • stings
  • stretch marks
  • flaky, scaly or dry skin.

Older stretch marks are notoriously difficult to treat. What would make Tamanu Oil more effective than any other remedy?
Its’ rare fatty acid profile.

RESEARCH: HOW TAMANU OIL HEALS SCARS & MARKS

There has been studies of the healing properties of Tamanu Oil. Of interest is the special fatty properties of Tamanu Oil. These fatty properties help soften wounds, scars and stretch marks.

Organic Tamanu oil has a unique fatty acid profile. It has an unusual fatty acid called calophyllic acid. There are few studies on Calophyllum (calophyllic acid). But studies do exist, and there are enough to give credence to the skin healing ability of Tamanu Oil. Various studies verified the wound healing, safety, and antibacterial properties of Calophyllum (3).

This supports the anecdotal reports of the skin improvement seen with the traditional use of Tamanu Oil for at least scars, burns, and stretch marks.

CONCLUSION

Tamanu Oil is an exciting and promising Oil for a host of topical and medical uses. Tamanu Oil research is still limited. But studies are still in development to further explore potential benefits. What we do know is that Tamanu Oil is effective on several skin conditions and treating damaged skin.

WARNING: Tamanu is a nut. Tamanu oil should be avoided by those with nut allergies.

REFERENCES

  1. Warrier, Kannan. (2010). Calophyllum inophyllum. Pages 168-174.
  2. Ibid, Page 176
  3. Léguillier, Teddy et al. The Wound Healing and Antibacterial Activity of Five Ethnomedical Calophyllum inophyllum Oils: An Alternative Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Infected Wounds.” PloS one vol. 10,9 e0138602. 25 Sep. 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0138602 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583440/

The Science of Beauty: Can Tamanu Oil Really Help Scars & Stretch Marks?

· 7 Comments

When we hear there’s an organic oil that can be used for skin concerns such as anti-aging, acne, stretch marks, scars, razor burn, bug bites, and can be used for softer, smoother hair, we’re interested. But we are also skeptical. What does the research say? Anecdotal evidence supports beautiful hair and skin on those who use Tamanu Oil. Many people swear by Tamanu Oil for clearing up acne or fading an old scar. But does science back the Tamanu Oil folklore? What is Tamanu Oil? And how do you use it? We did Tamanu Oil Research.

 

Tamanu Oil nut on a Tamanu Tree.

Tamanu Oil comes from the nuts of the Tamanu Tree.

ABOUT TAMANU OIL

The locals call it “Green Gold”. Pacific island folk medicine uses Tamanu Oil for a host of natural remedies. In Southern India, Tamanu Oil is used for many skin ailments. In Taiwan, it is used for hair. Tamanu Oil has gained attention because of its’ rare beauty benefits. The oil comes from a nut of the Tamanu Tree. The Tamanu Tree is commonly found in Polynesia. Within the region, Tamanu Oil is prized for hair, skin and a host of medical uses. Ample anecdotal evidence exists for these uses. Countless people swear by Tamanu Oil. But there have been limited research studies on Tamanu Oil efficacy. Studies to date show a promising organic oil with many versatile uses.

What do we know about Tamanu Oil?

While used for years in Polynesian regions, Tamanu Oil is only a recent discovery to many of us.

Tamanu Oil is a lovely golden green color with a slight nutty scent.

Tamanu Oil is a lovely golden green color with a slightly nutty scent.

Tamanu oil is a topical healing agent that is:

  • antineuralgic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antimicrobial
  • antibiotic
  • anti-oxidant

TAMANU OIL RESEARCH STUDIES

Tamanu Oil has been long associated with many health and beauty benefits. Research studies are still developing for the documentation of several promising medical uses. There is even research into Tamanu Oil’s potential benefit for cancer and HIV.(1)

But other Tamanu Oil uses are already well documented. These areas include the healing of burns and skin diseases. (2)

Tamanu Oil is both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Tamanu Oil is used for skin conditions such as:

  • acne scars
  • burns
  • dry scalp
  • eczema
  • mosquito bites
  • psoriasis
  • stings
  • stretch marks
  • flaky, scaly or dry skin.

Older stretch marks are notoriously difficult to treat. What would make Tamanu Oil more effective than any other remedy?
Its’ rare fatty acid profile.

RESEARCH: HOW TAMANU OIL HEALS SCARS & MARKS

There has been studies of the healing properties of Tamanu Oil. Of interest is the special fatty properties of Tamanu Oil. These fatty properties help soften wounds, scars and stretch marks.

Organic Tamanu oil has a unique fatty acid profile. It has an unusual fatty acid called calophyllic acid. There are few studies on Calophyllum (calophyllic acid). But studies do exist, and there are enough to give credence to the skin healing ability of Tamanu Oil. Various studies verified the wound healing, safety, and antibacterial properties of Calophyllum (3).

This supports the anecdotal reports of the skin improvement seen with the traditional use of Tamanu Oil for at least scars, burns, and stretch marks.

CONCLUSION

Tamanu Oil is an exciting and promising Oil for a host of topical and medical uses. Tamanu Oil research is still limited. But studies are still in development to further explore potential benefits. What we do know is that Tamanu Oil is effective on several skin conditions and treating damaged skin.

WARNING: Tamanu is a nut. Tamanu oil should be avoided by those with nut allergies.

REFERENCES

  1. Warrier, Kannan. (2010). Calophyllum inophyllum. Pages 168-174.
  2. Ibid, Page 176
  3. Léguillier, Teddy et al. “The Wound Healing and Antibacterial Activity of Five Ethnomedical Calophyllum inophyllum Oils: An Alternative Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Infected Wounds.” PloS one vol. 10,9 e0138602. 25 Sep. 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0138602 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583440/

Better Beauty Sleep: PineTales Organic Buckwheat Pillow

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We love beauty sleep. Quality sleep is important for metabolism, brain function, stress reduction, restoring our bodies, minds, and… of course, our skin. The right pillow is key to better sleep. We tried the Pinetales Organic Buckwheat Pillow with Bamboo Cover. Read how Pinetales can improve your beauty sleep.
Pinetales Buckwheat Pillow

Pinetales Buckwheat Pillow

SKIN RESTORATION REQUIRES QUALITY SLEEP

For nightly treatment products to address skin issues, we must get restorative sleep. Collagen production and cell regeneration take place as we sleep. (1) Good pillows are conducive to sleeping well.

QUALITY PILLOWS PROMOTE QUALITY SLEEP

I’ve frequently replaced foam pillows because they get too lumpy. But a quality buckwheat pillow lasts for years. The Pinetales Organic Buckwheat Pillow features make it a superior choice.

Buckwheat crop stalks before harvesting

Buckwheat crop stalks before harvesting

What is Buckwheat?

Buckwheat is a crop plant. The buckwheat seed has a thin, hard shell or “hull”.

In Japan, these hulls are traditionally used as pillow filling.

A field crop of buckwheat

Buckwheat have a thin, hard hull

Buckwheat in its’ shell after harvest.

Why Use Buckwheat Hulls as Pillow Filling?

Hulls are chemical-free, durable, hypoallergenic and gluten-free. They provide a comfortable, adjustable level of head and neck support.

The Buckwheat pillow concept soon became mass marketed. There are low-quality and high-quality buckwheat pillows. It is important to choose a buckwheat pillow with high-quality hulls.

WHAT MAKES THE PINETALES ORGANIC BUCKWHEAT PILLOW SPECIAL

Pinetales Organic Buckwheat pillows promise only the highest quality hulls. Pinetales hulls are odor and pesticide-free. Pesticide-free products run a higher risk of attracting bugs. Pinetales ensures that their hulls are bug-free. All hulls are triple screened and heat treated.

ORGANIC COMPONENTS

An important factor to the skin and health is our collective toxin exposure. We’re exposed to pollutants and chemicals daily. Our pillow exposure is for one-third of our lives. We reduce unnecessary chemical exposure by choosing organic pillows over fiberfill. Even chemicals that aren’t toxic can irritate the skin. This pillow contains only skin-friendly, organic components.

PILLOW CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

BAMBOO COVER

Bamboo provides soft, hypoallergenic, durable fabric for soft organic luxury sheets

Bamboo provides soft, hypoallergenic, durable and organic fabric

We love that this pillow comes with a bamboo cover. Bamboo is much better for skin and hair than polyester or cotton covers.

Bamboo can be quite soft and breathes more than cotton. It has natural odor-resistant and pest-resistant properties. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and antibacterial.

The Pinetales cover is extra thick and so far has been quite durable. It is machine washable. It is ready to use, there are no chemicals to wash off.

Comfy quilted bamboo pillowcase

Comfy quilted Pinetales bamboo pillowcase

The pillow has the outer quilted Jacquard bamboo cover with a hidden side zipper (shown open below) and the inner pillow with an inner zipper (shown closed) which contains the buckwheat hull filling.

Pillow standing on its' side, with both zippers open to access the buckwheat hull filling.

Pillow standing on its’ side, with both zippers seen. The inner zipper encloses the buckwheat hull filling.

Inner lining of Pinetales bamboo pillow cover on StyleChicks

The inner lining of the Pinetales bamboo pillow cover is soft, quilted and well made.

Puffy soft bamboo cover

Puffy soft bamboo cover

BUCKWHEAT HULL FILLING

Buckwheat hulls are hard and thin. They look like they’d be too hard to sleep upon. But they’re tiny and surprisingly comfortable, not sharp or pointy. Once weight or pressure is pressed upon the hulls, they conform to the shape of the head or neck.

A dime for scale amongst the Pinetales hull filling. The hulls are hard but thin and tiny, so they adjust to weight.

A dime for scale amongst the Pinetales hull filling. The hulls are hard but thin and tiny, so they adjust to weight.

WHY BUCKWHEAT HULLS MAKE GOOD PILLOW FILLING

  • The hulls grip together under weight to provide stable, cradling support.
  • Distributes weight evenly. This is important for those with shoulder or neck strain, lower back pain, muscle tension, headaches, and stress.
  • Hull shape allows for ventilation to keep the pillow cool.
Close up of hulls spilling out of unzipped pillow.

Close up of hulls spilling out of the unzipped Pinetales pillow.

DOCTORS AND PILLOWS: SUPERIOR SLEEP POSITION FOR SKIN, POSTURE & HEALTH

  • Dermatologists recommend that the head is elevated while sleeping. This allows for excess fluid to drain and you won’t wake up puffy.
  • Orthopedists recommend proper head and neck support to avoid neck and back issues.

MY EXPERIENCE

My Queen or standard pillowcases fit nicely on this pillow.

This pillow comes filled to the brim! Depending on the size selected, there are four or nine pounds of Organic Buckwheat Hulls, depending on the size pillow you choose.

The pillowcase zipper and inner pillow zipper reveal the generously stuffed Buckwheat hull filling inside

The pillowcase zipper and inner pillow zipper reveal the generously stuffed Buckwheat hull filling inside

ADJUSTING THE FILLING: I removed a fair amount of filling to adjust to my needs. The more filling in the pillow, the less room the hulls have to move, and the harder it feels. Less filling gives a softer feel to conform to your head and neck.

I experimented until I found the perfect level of filling for me. The green cup seen below holds six ounces. I removed five heaping cups of hulls this size from the pillow to make it just right for me. The durable double YKK zipper design allows for easy access to remove or add the filling.

Remove and add the excess hulls until the pillow is just the right degree of firmness for your comfort.

Extra hulls. Remove or add the excess hulls until the pillow is just the right degree of firmness for your comfort.

Adjust the firmness of the pillow by unzipping the two zippers and removing some hull filling.

Adjust the firmness of the pillow by unzipping the two zippers and removing some hull filling.

TIP: Place the pillow on a flat table surface or over newspaper to remove the excess hulls as the surplus may spill out.

TIP: To remove the hulls Place the pillow on a flat table surface when removing the excess hulls as the surplus may spill out.

Handful of hull pillow filling

A handful of hull pillow filling

SLEEPING: I am a side sleeper, but this pillow makes easier to sleep on my back. My head and neck are comfortably supported.

STAYS COOL: I didn’t have to flip the pillow over during the night for the “cool” side of the pillow. Buckwheat hulls keep cool and create enhanced air circulation. Keeping a cool head is an important component in sleeping well. Ever hear the phrase “cool head and warm feet”? Studies show our heads are most comfortable being cool while trying to get to sleep and to stay asleep.

CONCLUSION

This pillow works for stomach, side and back sleepers. It stays cool and keeps you comfortable with adjustable firmness. Organic and durable, this pillow will promote better beauty sleep for years to come.

The pillow came with a soft, silky eye mask. Sweet dreams!

The pillow came with a soft, silky eye mask. Sweet dreams!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find the Pinetales Organic Buckwheat Pillow with Bamboo Cover at Pinetales.com

REFERENCES

  1. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014 Feb;13(2):130-4.
    Therapeutic implications of the circadian clock on skin function.
    Luber AJ, Ensanyat SH, Zeichner JA.
    https://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961614P0130X/

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Have any questions about Pinetales Organic Buckwheat Pillow? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at questions@stylechicks.com

ABOUT THIS POST

Like you, the team here at Style Chicks needs time to evaluate and form an opinion of the products we talk about. With the Pinetales Organic Buckwheat Pillow, we received compensation for our time and effort to form an opinion of this product. We produced this blog post because we think the product is great and want to share it with you!

Copper & Skincare: Osmotics Eye Firming Complex with Copper Peptides

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We obsess over collagen-promoting skincare. Collagen-boosting Vitamin C serums are the Holy Grail of anti-aging skincare. But Elastin is also very important. Elastin keeps skin firm and resilient. Copper builds Elastin *and* Collagen. Plus it has a host of other anti-aging benefits.  But you don’t find skincare with copper just anywhere.

Copper Peptides are the key to enhanced elastin and collagen production.  Blue Copper 5 is a Copper Peptide. It is a key ingredient in the Osmotics line, including Osmotics Copper Firming Eye Complex.

Osmotics Firming Eye Complex contains Blue Copper 5, a potent copper peptide to firm eye skin

Osmotics Firming Eye Complex contains Blue Copper 5, a potent copper peptide to firm eye skin

COPPER IN SKINCARE: Beauty Buzzword or Beneficial Beautification Must-Have?

Copper has been known to promote wound healing for some time. More recent studies show copper has exceptional anti-oxidant properties.

To effect skin improvement, a copper peptide must be used. The amount of effort to create these copper peptides generally puts copper skincare products at the mid to high price point within anti-aging skincare.

Copper is not just the latest skincare buzzword. It is backed with several clinical studies to support its’ value within both skin and hair care. [1]

What Copper Does For Skin

Copper enhances collagen *AND* elastin production.

Copper works with Hyaluronic Acid. It increases hydration and calms redness even on sensitive skin.  When paired with Hyaluronic, they increase and retain skin moisture especially well. Copper also helps the body promote Hyaluronic Acid. We lose Hyaluronic Acid as we age, so this feature of copper is a big get.

Copper also fights oxidative damage, a big factor in signs of aging. Finally, copper peptides remove and replace damaged collagen. Copper Peptides are powerful enough to get Vitamin C and Retinol level results but without the skin irritation associated with said topicals. [2]

How do these copper benefits enhance this eye complex cream? Osmotics Copper Firming Eye Complex fixes crepey fine lines on the delicate eye skin. These fine lines start to appear in our 30s and turn into full-fledged crow’s feet. Copper peptides stop fine lines in their sneaky tracks by firming eye area skin.

Just a tiny bit leaves my orbital area skin soft, supple, and glowing. It is not sticky or greasy, it absorbs nicely into the skin. It never stings or irritates my sensitive eyes.

 

Bonus feature: eye makeup goes on smooth and stays put.

I love pairing Osmotics Copper Firming Eye Complex with home light therapy device treatments for extra firming of eye skin contours.

Osmotics Cosmeceuticals have several copper-based treatments and we hear talk of a haircare product range featuring copper.

Osmotics skincare

Some other favorites from the Osmotics skincare range

Where to Find It

Find Osmotics Copper Firming Eye Complex and the Osmotics line at Neiman Marcus,  Nordstrom, DermStore, and Osmotics.com

References

  1. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. doi:10.1155/2015/648108
  2. A.A, Abdulghani & A, Sherr & S, Shirin & G, Solodkina & Morales Tapia, E & B, Wolf & A.B, Gottlieb. (1998). Effects of topical creams containing vitamin C, a copper-binding peptide cream, and melatonin compared with tretinoin on the ultrastructure of normal skin – A pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study. Disease Management and Clinical Outcomes. 1. 136-141. 10.1016/S1088-3371(98)00011-4.

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