15 Reasons Baobab Oil Is The Best For Your Hair and Skin

Baobab oil is a beautiful African oil that delivers glowing skin and luxurious locks —providing essential hydration, antioxidants, and polyphenols to your skin and hair. Baobab oil is a golden yellow oil that is cold-pressed from the seeds of the majestic Baobab Tree. Baobabs grow in the African Savanna and are incredibly resilient, some living to several thousand years old. Despite this harsh arid environment, they wisely concentrate nutrients that ensure longevity. 

Baobab oil is exceptionally rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids, which all help protect the skin from damaging elements in our environment. Baobab oil is fantastic for your hair, too, adding luster, softness, and vibrancy. 

The benefits of baobab oil have been cherished by African communities for centuries but have been lesser known by the rest of the world until recently.

1. Baobab oil supports a healthy skin barrier 

Your skin’s barrier is critical to maintaining your skin's health. The skin barrier protects your skin and body from external environmental threats.  A healthy skin barrier locks in hydration, prevents your skin from drying out, and slows the signs of aging. Many skin care products do not support skin barrier health at all, and some are harmful; baobab oil, on the other hand, nourishes the skin, reducing redness and flaking. Baobab oil does wonders to keep your skin smooth, healthy, and beautiful. 

2. Baobab oil preserves collagen

Collagen makes up a third of the protein in your body and serves as the glue that keeps all your cells in place. Collagen preserves strength and elasticity. The breakdown of collagen naturally occurs with age, and this process accelerates when you are stressed, don't eat healthily, and lack proper skin care. Baobab oil counters the effect of excess free radical production, which helps preserve collagen and your skin's resilience.

3. Baobab oil combats fine lines & wrinkles 

Fine lines and wrinkles appear as we age when the skin's underlying structure starts to break down. Environmental factors and poor lifestyle choices that accompany an urban lifestyle produce chronic low-grade inflammation that encourages premature aging. Baobab oil’s rich antioxidants and polyphenols help lock in moisture for your skin without a greasy finish. Baobab oil is a fantastic plant oil that penetrates the skin's layer and helps care for mature, dry skin, keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay. 

4. Baobab oil cleanses gently

Did you know that baobab oil can be used as an oil cleanser? As the first step in your skincare ritual, massage a few drops of baobab oil into your skin to break down pore-clogging dirt, then rinse it with water. Oil dissolves oil, so this is a great way to gently remove makeup and impurities at the end of the day.

5. Baobab oil is skin microbiome friendly

The term ‘skin microbiome’ refers to the community of bacteria living in your skin's layers. While you may know about the gut microbiome and its relationship to your health —the skin microbiome is equally important! Most skincare products, including cleansers, disrupt your skin's microbial balance. Baobab oil fatty acids help improve the skin's lipid layer composition, which is vital in preserving the skin microbiome. 

6. Baobab oil fights acne

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, it seems like the last thing you would want to do is put even more oil on your face. However, baobab oil is good for oily skin! It’s lightweight, doesn’t clog pores, and moisturizes your skin to prevent the production of excess fat that leads to acne. Baobab oil is gentle enough for sensitive skin and won’t irritate.

7. Baobab oil conditions hair 

Your hair needs moisture to keep it strong and healthy, and baobab oil’s potent moisturizing properties make it a great hair oil. Depending on your hair texture, baobab oil can be applied from root to tip and left overnight, or it can smooth frizz and protect hair from UV damage during the day. Alternatively, add a few drops of baobab oil to your daily conditioner to boost its nourishing power.

8. Baobab oil moisturizes the scalp

The secret to healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp! In addition to conditioning your luscious locks, baobab oil can be gently massaged into the scalp to keep dryness and flakes at bay. Maintaining a moisturized scalp is a great way to boost the health of your hair, and who doesn’t love a lovely scalp massage?

9. Baobab oil strengthens nails

Did you know that applying cuticle oil can stimulate nail growth? Strong nails start with healthy cuticles, so moisturize them with good cuticle oil. Baobab oil absorbs quickly and isn’t too heavy, making it an excellent moisturizer for your fingertips. Dab a drop on each cuticle, massage it, and enjoy your beautiful nails!

10. Baobab oil heals chapped lips 

The feeling of dry, cracked lips with skin flaking off is something we all dislike. Ouch! Luckily, you can use baobab oil as a rich lip balm. Apply a couple of drops to your lips to keep them moisturized, help them heal, and protect them from environmental aggressors.

11. Baobab oil soothes irritation and eczema

Baobab oil is a rich source of omega fatty acids that fight inflammation, making it an excellent choice for sensitive or inflamed skin. Baobab oil’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritation and can even help with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

12. Baobab oil fights free radicals

You may have heard of free radicals and how they affect your health. While free radicals are a regular part of your cell metabolism, increased production of free radicals damages cells throughout your body, including your skin. However, this damage can be prevented with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Baobab oil is packed with naturally-occurring antioxidants that protect your skin from oxidative damage and help slow down the signs of aging. 

13. Baobab oil reduces damage from UV rays

Baobab oil contains vitamin E, which reduces skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. Vitamin E can absorb the energy from UV light and prevent UV-induced damage to your skin. Baobab oil won’t replace sunscreen but will moisturize and protect your skin before applying your SPF. After time spent in the sun, Baobab oil is our favorite post-sun skin nutrient!

14. Baobab oil protects from air pollution

It’s clear that air pollution isn’t good for your lungs, but did you know it also harms your skin? Pollutants can penetrate your skin’s barrier and trigger inflammation. There’s no escaping air pollution entirely, but you can protect your skin by applying baobab oil to exposed areas supporting your skin microbiome with omega fatty acids and antioxidants. 

15. Baobab oil elevates your hair and skincare ritual while also helping the planet

The baobab tree was once considered a Lost Crop™— previously undervalued for its health and skincare benefits. Elevate your skincare ritual with KAIBAE Head to Toe Baobab Oil and enjoy beautiful hair and glowing skin. Work with us to improve the livelihoods of our harvesting partners and help us preserve the biodiversity of the magical Baobab. KAIBAE Head-To-Toe Baobab Oil is organic and wild-harvested in Ghana.

KAIBAE is a microbiome wellness company, a B-Corp with a mission to provide the best in wellness and skin care while improving the world, using business as a force for good!