The Hidden Gem That Is Palm Kernel Oil



Early on this year I bought a stash of natural products, oils and butters made/packaged by
SheaButter Cottage - one of such was Palm Kernel Oil which I have since come to love and use on both my hair and skin. I decided to do a bit more research on it and I'm amazed at how this excellent oil is not as popular as (or even more) the more main stream oils such as Coconut oil etc.

Palm kernel oil which is black and not red like the traditional cooking palm oil; has been used for years and years in Africa to treat ailments, prevent disease, enhance the beauty of skin and hair, and promote overall good health. The Yoruba's call it 'Adi Dudu', Igbos call it 'Ude Aku', The Hausas call it 'Manlade' and the Cameroonians call it 'Muyaga'.





To get this oil, palm nuts are roasted till the oil begins to come out after which it is extracted and then used for any of the purposes listed above. Palm Kernel Oil like coconut oil and Palm oil is high in saturated fats but is more saturated than Palm oil while having similar properties in its composition to coconut oil. Because of its similarity to coconut oil, it will penetrate the hair's shaft, strengthening and locking moisture deep within the shaft. It also has a high ash content and is also comparable to castor oil in the regrowth of hair!

I used it a couple of times as a pre shampoo treatment and I noticed softer, shinier and stronger hair those few times I used it. I decided to try it out on my skin (my skin loves oils and butters) and it has now become a staple in my skin regimen (I rotate with my whipped butter and pure jojoba oil).



While this dark oil does have a very strong earthy smell - one which some people cannot abide, I urge you to not let that prevent you from giving it a try. The smell can be masked ( at least significantly) with the use of any number of essential oils.

Some of the benefits of this oil have been listed as:

 - Curing convulsion and epilepsy attacks
 - Used during delivery to prevent body odour in children and to make their skin soft and shiny
 - Promoting healthy cardiovascular health
 - accelerating hair growth
 - Strengthening hair and preventing breakage
 - Increases the softness and sheen of hair
 - Smoothens the skin
 - Prevents excessive shedding by strengthening the hair at the roots

My supply is currently from beautifullynappy (I just bought the last 2 bottles lol) and I think
Natural Nigerian will be restocking this oil soon.

Seriously, give it a try!

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21 comments

  1. An Afrikan Butterfly28 March 2015 at 18:02

    Sandra (Naija Girl Next Door) has raved about this oil quite a bit on her blog. And now you! :) I'm not really an oil/ butter loving Naturalista, but this is definitely worth trying soon. I need a new carrier oil in my life apart from castor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KL28 March 2015 at 18:13

      ooooh! Let me know how it goes and prepare yourself for the aroma! lol It's not bad in my opinion but a lot of people seem to get turned off by it.

      Delete
  2. Jen29 March 2015 at 12:15

    When my brothers were babies and they would have fevers, my mum would rub this oil all over them to prevent convulsion. I always thought it was ridiculous; I mean how could an oil do that.
    For the rest of that day, I wouldn't go near them because of the atrocious smell.
    The smell is stuck in my head and won't let me try this oil for my hair.
    Nigerian and Natural

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KL30 March 2015 at 19:14

      Awww I know exactly how you feel. There are smells and tastes from certain foods associated with unpleasant memories from childhood that I totally avoid them altogether.

      Delete
  3. Naija girl next door29 March 2015 at 16:44

    Yes! This oil softens my hair a treat. I don't know about using it on my skin though, or leaving in my hair because it has such a strong smell

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KL30 March 2015 at 19:15

      Sandra as weird as it sounds, I LOVE the smell! There's something.... comforting about it. Maybe because it reminds me of my maternal grandmother in some ways.

      Delete
  4. African Naturalistas29 March 2015 at 19:27

    We also sell Palm Kernel oil at N1500 per 250ml bottle. I wish it sold as fast as other oils.

    African Naturalistas.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KL30 March 2015 at 19:16

    Oh wow didn't know that! I guess it's not a fast seller as people are not used to hearing about it's benefits. Most naturalista's and ladies on hair journeys have heard of coconut oil etc but this is never really spoken about.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 00127 April 2015 at 17:44

    I grew up using kernel oil for the skin especially when we traveled home. Never thought of it for hair until I read about Sandra using it. I LOVE it..everythjng about it,the smell and the way it makes my hair and skin shiny and soft.
    For those worried about the smell, like KL said mix with another oil. I have an oil mix of kernel,olive,drops of tea tree oil...it's heavenly! lol

    ReplyDelete
  7. Akua Wood30 November 2016 at 09:44

    My hair absolutely loves unrefined palm kernel oil

    Thanks for using our brand

    ReplyDelete
  8. Odyssey27 January 2017 at 15:58

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Akinwumi's Blog24 May 2017 at 09:32

    My grandma uses this oil to cure so many things I wish sees alive so I can tap some of it's use especially for children. Most times she just makes them drink and they shower her with gifts for the amazing results

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous30 May 2018 at 15:34

    Oh wow didn't know that! I guess it's not a fast seller as people are not used to hearing about it's benefits.
    click here how to use coconut oil for hair

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown2 June 2018 at 09:06

    Enter your comment...does it darken the skin?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown18 November 2018 at 07:56

      That is what my mum does and I also know how to do but I don't know the usefulness, I have like one litter at home just looking at it cos I don't know wat to use it for.thanks

      Delete
  12. Unknown16 September 2018 at 17:58

    Where are you located

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unknown20 September 2018 at 11:48

    Every woman hates to move among their colleagues without a makeover, but if the skin is healthy from the inside, then makeup would add extra charm to a skin condition. For best skin presence it might be a high activity to consider the use of Almaviva Serum today. This clinically formulated serum is included combination of all botanical extracts that work to restrict the formation of stubborn fine-lines, creases, and wrinkles, etc. Such signs usually arrive due to poor skin maintenance and also due to growing age. With the application of this natural serum to face you might reduce such aging signs visibility and get a perfect expression without any expression of side effects on the health.
    Almaviva Serum

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown4 November 2018 at 10:41

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Unknown4 November 2018 at 10:43

    I use this oil for my hot oil treatment but what I want to know is if its good on a low porosity hair as I read it penetrates the hair shaft does it mean the oil is light?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown11 August 2019 at 00:13

    Can I use kanel oil on 3months old baby..I'm sceard of her getting dark..n having rashes or any skin infection

    ReplyDelete
  17. Unknown12 April 2020 at 15:19

    Am loving this oil everyday.It penetrates my hair shafts like wow.. It's 100% good

    ReplyDelete

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