Benefits of Neem Oil for Acne & Skin Care

Neem Oil, also known as “Margosa Oil,” has been implemented for thousands of years in Ayurvedic traditions of natural medicine. Ayurveda is an ancient school of holistic medicine originally hailing from India that utilizes ingredients from nature. Neem Oil has historically been used to address a swath of issues, from healing infections to repelling and eliminating pests by making it more difficult for them to grow and lay eggs. Ingredients like Neem have continued to be used in modern times as many of us prefer to use natural ingredients as much as possible. More recently, Neem has primarily been used to nourish the skin and hair and provide relief to many common skin complaints. While Neem’s impressive benefits for hair include reducing dandruff and encouraging growth, today we are going to specifically explore the benefits of Neem Oil on the skin.

What is Neem Oil?

Neem Oil is categorized as a vegetable oil, and it comes from the seeds of the Neem Tree, also known as Azadirachta indica — literally translated to “the free tree of India”. This tree is an evergreen found in India and other parts of South Asia and is commonly used as an ornamental shade tree, but the lovely plant also produces seeds that hold extensive benefits.

How is it extracted?

Neem Tree seeds go through a multi-step process before the oil makes it to your skin care shelf. First, the seeds are collected and left to dry for a few days. Then, the husks are removed, leaving the kernels, which can yield up to 40% of their weight in oil. Those kernels are crushed, often through the cold press method, to release the oil. Sometimes, water or a solvent is also utilized to finish the process to extract a more concentrated oil. Either way, the resulting oil is then bottled and put on the market.

Skin Care benefits of Neem

When thinking of body massages or skin care, most of the time, Coconut Oil or Sweet Almond Oil is brought to mind. But the benefits of Neem Oil are not to be overlooked: There is a long history (truly long, as in before the introduction of written records) of Neem being used in skin care and treating health issues like arthritis, fevers, infections, and more. In facial skin care specifically, Neem has helpful properties including being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and moisturizing, which can address multiple issues. No matter your age or environment, there are a variety of skin concerns that can be soothed by using Neem Oil products on the face.

Anti-aging

Looking to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? Neem Oil not only helps to reduce these signs of aging, but also helps delay their formation in the first place, in two ways: By containing carotenoids that protect the skin against free radicals (which age the skin), and stimulating the skin into producing more collagen. Both of these elements help reduce existing signs of aging and maintain a youthful, fresh appearance.

Boosts collagen production

A specific way that Neem Oil helps fight signs of aging is by boosting the production of collagen, which our skin creates less of as we age. Collagen is the protein that makes our skin look plump, and when production slows down, our skin starts to sag. The sagging is what causes wrinkles and fine lines to become more prominent, so by stimulating collagen production, the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles is reduced. And plumpness and elasticity aren’t just signs of youth — they are also indicators of healthy skin tissue under the surface.

Fights acne

The benefits of Neem Oil for skin care have been studied and it’s been proven to be a great treatment for acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and more. Neem Oil is antibacterial, eliminating acne-causing bacteria. When bacteria enters the pores, they become clogged, and we experience breakouts in the form of inflammation and whiteheads. Neem Oil helps us out by clearing up the bacteria and also preventing new infections from forming. Neem Oil also helps prevent blackheads by tightening the pores, which makes them less likely to be clogged by excess sebum.

Prevents infections

Aside from your run-of-the-mill acne, bacteria can cause other infections like folliculitis and impetigo. Neem Oil can also address these issues, as well as fungal infections. The antiseptic quality of Neem Oil has long been used as a first-aid remedy for injuries, but it also makes Neem Oil a great choice for killing bacteria and stopping infections from forming or growing. Neem Oil simply helps keep your skin clean, a crucial step in keeping the microbiome healthy.

Evens skin tone

Not only does Neem Oil help promote plump, healthy skin, it also reduces the production of melanin. Hyperpigmentation may not be a health risk, but it is a common skin complaint, as many of us prefer to have a more even skin tone. Slowing down melanin production is just one benefit, but also, the antioxidants in Neem Oil help to reduce the appearance of dark spots, which could also be caused by acne scars or sun damage.

Soothes inflammation

Noticing inflammation on the skin? Like Aloe, Neem Oil reduces inflammation by addressing the root causes, which can range from a bacterial infection to irritation, and also reduces the production of white blood cells, which is our skin’s natural response to infection. While some anti-inflammatory treatments can cause dryness, that side effect is rare when using Neem Oil, and in fact, Neem can help hydrate dry skin.

Hydrates dry skin

Whether you’re experiencing dry skin as a result from treatments or simply due to environmental elements, Neem Oil is a great choice for rehydration. Naturally-occurring compounds in neem oil like Vitamin E and fatty acids moisturize the skin by deeply penetrating and locking in hydration. This provides both immediate and long-lasting relief from dryness.

How to use Neem Oil on your face

It is safe to use pure Neem Oil by itself on your face, but it’s important to follow these steps to ensure that you enjoy the benefits without encountering adverse effects. A tip: Make sure the oil you’re purchasing is organic and cold-pressed, which indicates a higher-quality oil.

In order to use Neem Oil on the face:

• Begin by gently dabbing the oil onto the affected area with a cotton ball (or a cotton swab if you’re trying to focus on a more specific area)
• Let the oil rest on the skin for 20 minutes, allowing it to be absorbed past the surface
• Wash off the oil using warm water, taking care not to scrub too harshly
• Repeat this process daily until the desired results are achieved

You will see results with Neem Oil alone, but you’ll find that it is even more effective when used in conjunction with other natural ingredients specifically combined to create a powerhouse formula. There are a few products to choose from, such as our Glow Activating Exfoliator, which is specifically formulated to address a myriad of skin issues and bring forth your best, most glowy skin.

Add Neem to your skin care ritual today

If you’re looking to try Neem Oil and see the amazing results for yourself, add it to your skin care routine by picking up our Glow Activating Exfoliator. Our product experts created this formula by combining Neem alongside other natural ingredients like Honey and Turmeric. Experience the incredible benefits of Neem Oil for yourself.