This Lesser-Known Oil Is The Ultimate Ingredient For Acne-Prone Skin

OK, so at this point we've espoused the good word that acne or oil-prone skin folks don't need to shy away from oils: Yes, we know noncomedogenic oils do no harm to pores. That being said, there are some oils that are certainly better than others if you do have acneic skin.

One of these oils that has acne-fighting and moisturizing properties (plus a slew of other skin-healthy benefits) might not be as well known as, say, jojoba oil—but it's worth a spot in your beauty lexicon nonetheless. 

Tamanu oil is extracted from the seeds of the tamanu nut tree (technically a type of evergreen, called calophyllum inophyllum, found in the South Pacific). The oil—along with bark and leaves—has been touted for centuries in African, Asian, Polynesian, and Pacific Island cultures. 

Tamanu oil is super versatile. You can find it in a number of face and body oils, moisturizers, and serums (even a hair care product or two). But according to Robinson, tamanu is quite the triple threat in skin care: "It can be used in a mask, moisturizer, or spot treatment," he says. 

For a mask, simply mix the tamanu oil with another hydrating base ingredient (like Manuka honey or aloe) and slather on for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Or, if a moisturizer is more your jam, mix a couple of drops of tamanu oil into your favorite cream or facial oil (or find one that has tamanu oil already, like our recs below) and massage it into your skin. 

Here's one thing to know about tamanu oil: According to Ciraldo, it's best used at low concentrations, lest you experience some irritation or redness. You're probably fine to use it in skin care formulations (as these typically come buffered with other hydrating ingredients), but if you do choose to snag straight tamanu oil (organic and cold-pressed, always), you might want to start with a few drops and work your way up. 

Acupuncturist and herbalist Antonia Balfour, LAc, seconds the warning: "I find it to be a very 'active' oil and can be irritating to some when used in its pure form," she's told us. "I always recommend diluting it at 50% with a carrier oil such as almond oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil."