Although less well-known than coconut, burdock, or castor oil, babassu oil is incredibly valuable for skin and hair care. Native to sunny Brazil, it has been used for centuries as part of local tradition. Today, its use in the cosmetics industry is increasingly being discovered, thanks to its rich composition and unique properties.
In the following sections, you’ll discover what makes it special, how it works and the ways it can enhance your beauty routine.
What Is Babassu Oil
Babassu oil comes from the babassu palm (Attalea speciosa), which grows in the tropical regions of Brazil. Its fruits resemble small coconuts. A hard outer shell protects the kernel, from which the oil is extracted through cold pressing.
At room temperature, babassu oil is solid and creamy, much like butter, but it melts quickly when it comes into contact with skin or hair, transforming into a light, silky texture. This is exactly what makes it a favourite in cosmetic formulations: it spreads easily and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.
In addition to fatty acids, babassu oil contains vitamin E and phytosterols, natural antioxidants that help maintain the elasticity of skin and hair. Vitamin E is well known for its ability to protect cells from oxidative stress, while phytosterols help soothe irritation and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. The combination of fatty acids, vitamins and plant sterols gives the oil a multi-layered effect. It not only hydrates but also protects, restores and nourishes.
The Secret of Babassu Oil’s Success Lies in Its Composition
Babassu hides a true treasure trove of nutrients. The balance of fatty acids, which together create a texture that is both light and rich, is exactly what sets it apart from other oils.
The most abundant component is lauric acid, which allows the oil to absorb into the hair shaft easily and strengthen it from within. It coats the hair, leaving it soft, while also providing gentle protection for the scalp thanks to its natural antimicrobial properties. Alongside it is myristic acid, which gives the oil its light, silky texture. Thanks to this, babassu oil doesn’t leave a greasy feel or weigh hair down. Instead, it makes it elastic and soft to the touch.
When it comes to hydration, oleic acid plays the key role. It helps the hair retain moisture, nourishes the strand and reduces breakage. Alongside it, smaller amounts of stearic and palmitic acids are present, forming a thin protective layer around the hair. This film is lightweight, yet it helps shield the hair from external factors such as wind, sun and heat from styling.
Thanks to this, it has become a key ingredient in many shampoos, masks and leave-in treatments that restore shine and softness to the hair without the unwanted feeling of heaviness.
Nourishing Rituals for Radiant Hair
Healthy, shiny hair doesn’t have to come from expensive treatments. Babassu oil deeply nourishes the hair, leaving it soft, elastic and glossy. Its light texture allows for even application without any heaviness or greasy residue, making it suitable for all hair types.
To make the most of babassu oil’s nourishing properties, it’s ideal to include it in your daily or weekly hair care routine. There are products specifically designed for this purpose, combining the richness of the oil with additional ingredients for shine and protection.
Powerful Nectar for Hair
Infinity Hair Spray – Nectar is perfect for hair prone to frizz. Its formula contains hydrolysed plant proteins. They form a protective layer around each strand, helping the hair maintain its shape while preventing unwanted static caused by humidity and external factors. In other words, they strengthen the hair from within and protect it as you style it.
This hair spray deeply hydrates and revitalises the hair, thanks to babassu oil, known for its fast absorption and nourishing properties. Apricot kernel oil, rich in vitamins and minerals, adds extra shine and softness to the hair. It nourishes and smooths each strand, making the hair easier to style and pleasant to the touch.
Care for Coloured and Chemically Treated Hair
Ronney Babassu Oil collection has been specially developed for the needs of coloured and chemically treated hair, which requires extra care and protection. Thanks to the combination of nourishing ingredients and babassu oil, the products in this line help hair maintain its colour, vitality and shine for longer.
The collection provides deep care that keeps hair healthy and shiny without any unwanted heaviness. Using the shampoo and mask together visibly revitalises the hair, making it softer and more resilient while preserving colour intensity. The lightweight formulations ensure hair remains hydrated, soft and glossy after every wash. They restore elasticity, volume and natural smoothness, making styling easier.
How Babassu Oil Nurtures the Face and Body
On the skin, babassu oil demonstrates the same remarkable qualities as it does on hair. Its light, silky texture melts on contact and absorbs without leaving a greasy residue. This makes it suitable for various skin types. It provides soothing hydration for dry and sensitive skin, while helping oily skin regain balance without any extra heaviness.
Soft and Refreshed Face
Orjena True Pure Facial Cleansing Oil is designed to remove makeup, excess sebum and impurities in a single step, while preserving the skin’s natural balance. Thanks to a carefully selected blend of plant oils – including babassu, macadamia, safflower, meadowfoam and tea tree – the formula melts on the skin and helps remove even waterproof makeup. Enriched with glycerin, beta-glucan and Centella asiatica extract, this oil simultaneously hydrates and soothes, leaving the skin soft and refreshed after cleansing, without any tightness. Its lightweight texture rinses off easily, making it suitable for sensitive skin and daily use.
Lip Care and Hydration
Makeup Revolution Kiss & Care Set offers a complete three-step lip care routine – scrub, mask and tinted oil. The final step is especially noteworthy, as the oil in this set contains babassu. Known for its lightweight, nourishing formula, it absorbs quickly while leaving the lips soft and comfortable for longer.
The combination of babassu oil with jojoba oil and shea butter helps keep the lips smooth, hydrated and protected. Additionally, the oil’s formula also adds a subtle shine. In this way, it brings together what we love about care treatments with what we expect from makeup – both practicality and nourishment.
Babassu oil is one of those ingredients that easily finds its way into both hair care and daily skincare routines. Precisely because it combines a light feel with deep hydration. Its versatility makes it a true gem of cosmetics, whether you’re looking for shiny, soft hair, soothing facial hydration, or lip care.
Have you tried products with babassu oil yet? How do you most enjoy using it – for your hair, face, or perhaps your lips?