Can we talk about the Kukui oil benefits for skin? I had never heard of kukui oil until Connock London Kukui Oil Soothing Bath & Shower Oil came into my life. I’m not exaggerating when I say it changed the way I shower. It cut my shower time in half, prevented burns (you need to live in the UK to understand how tricky it is to shower without burning yourself here – you can’t make this stuff up!) and made my skin so silky soft.
I’m in love. But, this got me thinking. Is it kukui oil that makes the magic happen? Or is that just the “filler” ingredient the brand uses to tempt you to buy? Here’s what my little investigation on Kukui benefits for skin turned up:
What Is Kukui Oil?
Kukui oil comes from the nuts of the kukui tree, the state tree of Hawaii. Scientists call it aleurites moluccana but for everyone else it’s the candlenut tree (the Hawaiian people used to burn oil in kukui nuts to illuminate the nights). Needless to say, the Hawaiians have used kukui oil for centuries to treat all sorts of skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, and even sunburn. Turns out, they were onto something.
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Kukui Oil Benefits: What Does It Do For Skin?
Kukui oil has a couple of jobs in skincare:
1. Kukui Oil Is A Wonderful Moisturizer
Kukui oil is rich in polyunsaturated acids that moisturize skin and prevent water loss. That’s why it makes skin feels so silky soft to the touch – but not at all greasy. Kukui oil sinks in fast. Like, absurdly fast. You won’t get that greasy film other oils love to leave behind. That makes it great for under makeup or for people who hate the feeling of oil on their body but still want the benefits.
This also explains why kukui oil is said to help with stretch marks and scars. They form when skin loses way too much water. Kukui oil seals moisture in so it can’t escape, helping to prevent and improve their appearance (but, it can’t make them go away completely!). Translation: it makes them look smaller to the naked eye, but it can’t treat them.
Related: What Really Works To Treat Stretch Marks?
2. Kukui Oil Helps Treat Eczema And Psoriasis
Rumour has it, kukui oil helps with eczema and psoriasis, too. Sufferers claim it’s a godsend. Science is silent. I could’t find any scientific studies confirming these claims but that could mean they haven’t been done yet. We do know something, though. Kukui oil contains plenty of omega 3, which are well-known to help reduce inflammation in the skin. Inflammation is a trigger for both conditions so this may explain the mystery.
There’s also a good amount of linoleic acid in kukui oil – a fatty acid that helps strengthen the skin barrier. And when you’re dealing with eczema or psoriasis, your barrier’s often wrecked. So even if kukui oil doesn’t “treat” the condition in a medical sense, it can absolutely support your skin while it heals.
Can You Use Kukui Oil If You’ve Got Sensitive Skin?
Most people with sensitive skin do fine with kukui oil – it’s pretty chill. No strong smells, no harsh stuff, just a gentle oil that soaks in fast and leaves your skin feeling soft, not smothered. But heads up: it is a nut oil. So if you’ve got allergies or your skin tends to freak out over everything, do a patch test first. No oil is magic for everyone. Still, kukui’s one of those rare oils that hydrates without clogging anything up, which makes it a solid option if your skin’s both dry and breakout-prone.
What Are The Best Skincare Products With Kukui Oil?
- RŌZ WILLOW GLEN Treatment Oil ($48.00): A deeply moisturising oil you can use on face, body, and hair. Available at: Credo Beauty and Free People
- Klur Sculpture + A Overnight Enrichment Cream ($150): A rich night cream loaded with natural oils and rentals to fight wrinkles and dryness. Available at Credo Beauty
Can You Use Kukui Oil On Your Face?
Yeah, totally. It’s light, doesn’t clog your pores, and your skin just drinks it up. Great if your face feels dry, tight, or a bit wrecked. Only thing is, it can go bad quicker than other oils – so if it starts smelling off or feels weird, bin it. Don’t leave it roasting in a steamy bathroom and expect it to last forever.
Is Kukui Oil Better Than Argan Or Jojoba?
Kukui oil’s packed with linoleic acid (about 40%) and alpha-linolenic acid (around 30%) – basically, fatty acids your skin barrier loves. They help calm redness, fix that dry, tight feeling, and stop water from escaping. That’s why kukui feels light as hell, soaks in straight away, and still keeps your skin soft without turning it into an oil slick.
Argan oil? Heavier stuff. It’s got more oleic acid (roughly 45%), which is great if your skin’s bone dry and you want that extra nourishment. But heads up – oleic acid can be pore-clogging if you’re acne-prone. If your skin’s already oily or easily congested, argan might make things worse.
Then there’s jojoba – which isn’t even a proper oil. It’s a wax ester. But that’s why it works so well for oily skin: it’s super close to your skin’s natural sebum, so it tricks your face into chilling out on oil production. Doesn’t do much for inflammation or deep hydration, though – it’s more of a ‘keep things balanced’ kind of oil.
So yeah – kukui’s best if your skin’s angry, flaky, or just needs help holding onto moisture. Argan’s better if you’re dry-dry. Jojoba’s the one if your T-zone’s running the show and you want to calm it down without adding more chaos.
The Bottom Line
Kukui oil is little known but very promising. It has moisturizing and inflammatory properties that leaves skin soft but not greasy. It’s underrated, lightweight, fast-absorbing, and packed with fatty acids that your skin barrier will thank you for. It may not have the name recognition of argan or marula, but if you want something that hydrates, calms, and doesn’t clog, kukui oil is one of the best-kept secrets in skincare.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
