It’s not a secret that face oils have been growing in popularity in the skincare market. Despite being around and used for centuries, the modern skincare fanatic is starting to realize just how beneficial these oils can be to the overall health of your skin.
Abyssinian oil has somehow managed to fly under the radar though. We hope to shed some light today on why this oil is so amazing for your skin and hair, and why we chose to include it in our Radiance Facial Oil formula.
What Is Abyssinian Oil
Abyssinian oil is a light, nongreasy natural seed oil that is known for having excellent emollient properties. This is due in part to the high percentage of unsaturated C22 fatty acids, which also make it highly resistant to oxidation (a process in which a chemical substance changes because of the addition of oxygen.) Fatty Acid Composition is as follows; Linoleic Acid C18:2 (Omega-6): 7-15%, Erucic Acid C22:1 (Omega-9): 50-65%, Oleic Acid C18:1 (Omega-9): 10-25%
It is in a liquid state at room temperature and, despite its high molecular weight, it is very resistant to heat breakdown. It is a non-GMO vegetable plant-derived oil with a mild, pleasant odor. It is extracted from the seeds of the Crambe abyssinica, a multibranched annual plant that is native to the Ethiopian Highlands also known as Abyssinia.
The Crambe abyssinica plant was first introduced to the United States in the 1940s and is most successfully grown in the state of North Dakota. It is an annual herb with large pinnately-lobed leaves and can achieve a height of 24-40 in. The oil comes from the seed of the small white flowers that grow on the plant. They are about 1/8 inch in diameter and round.
Benefits of Abyssinian Oil on the Skin
Abyssinian oil is full of excellent moisturizing and anti-aging properties. It can be easily absorbed into the skin’s epidermal tissue, where it works to smooth wrinkles and nourish dry, dehydrated skin. It does all of this without leaving behind a greasy residue like other, similar, oils. It also acts as an effective barrier for your skin to help retain its moisture and keep it from drying out.
Abyssinian oil has a very faint woody scent and is pale yellow in color. As mentioned earlier it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or tacky. Along with being lightweight, it’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores. It’s a great option for those who have oily, acne-prone skin but still want the benefits of using a facial oil.
How Abyssinian Oil Can Benefit Your Hair
Your skin isn’t the only thing that can get the benefits of Abyssinian oil. It is great for your hair too! The fatty acids mentioned earlier add moisture to the hair. And because it is so lightweight and non-greasy, it won’t be too heavy on the hair or make it look oily.
Many people use Abyssinian oil as a natural replacement to synthetic ingredients, such as silicones, that are used in anti-frizz hair products. Silicones are used to coat the hair but do so in a way that doesn’t allow the hair to breathe which, in turn, causes more frizz in the long run. Using a lightweight oil like Abyssinian nourishes strands without suffocating them and has the added benefit of protect it from heat and pollution.
There are a lot of comparisons between Abyssinian oil and Jojoba oil. But Abyssinian oil is actually much stronger and much more hydrating than Jojoba oil due to the high concentration of erucic acid. The erucic acid helps to seal in moisture and protect your strands from dehydration. Abyssian oil is lightweight enough to use as a spray which makes it much easier to evenly distribute throughout your hair. It is very stable against heat breakdown so it can also act as a protectant from heating tools and blow dryers.
Radiance Facial Oil
Want to incorporate Abyssinian oil into your current skincare routine? Check out the Radiance Facial Oil from Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare. Radiance Facial Oil is formulated with a proprietary blend of natural oils rich in essential fatty acid and antioxidants, including high concentrations of Abyssinian oil. It also utilizes ultra-concentrated Vitamin C and next-generation retinoic ester complex to help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and improve signs of aging. Working together, this light herbal oil elixir hydrates & nourishes your skin and delivers a youthful and dewy glow in the morning.
Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare is a family business started by Steven Wang, MD and Gui Wang, LAc. Our co-founders have been working together for over two decades to offer holistic, innovative, and effective skincare products.
We are guided by three primary principles: formulate skincare products with proven efficacy to promote skin health, harness the power of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and utilize the latest modern medical breakthroughs.
To learn more, view our family of products or read what publications like The New York Times and Reader’s Digest have to say about Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare.