Emu Oil: Arguably the World's Best Moisturizer

I had to put the word "arguably" because I know a number of people would disagree. However, when I googled emu oil, I stumbled across several sites touting this claim. I do have a bottle of emu oil I bought from Lure Beauty several months ago, but I only used it once and got scared because I thought my skin was oily enough, and would not need any more oil on my skin. Well, I tried it again after many months and I was just amazed at the results. I never felt my skin so supple, smooth and, most of all, this oil actually calmed my skin and didn't cause any breakouts.


Emu oil on the left

But what is emu oil anyway? It is oil derived from the emu, a flightless bird (similar to ostrich or kiwi) native to Australia (I know the Australian kids' band called The Wiggles has a catchy song that goes, "Mooooove, like an emu movvvee", which my son loves to sing again and again). Before you get grossed out, read the rest of the description first. The emu has a large amount of fat stored on its back that is meant to protect it from the harsh temperatures of the Australian wilderness. The aborigines have been known to use this amazing oil for thousands of years as a cure for ailments like burns, bruises, and also as a pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory treatment for insect bites. That said, many traders brought the oil to America, Europe and all-over the world and refined it so that it can also be used for cosmetic procedures. Now, women have been using it as a face moisturizer, and also to "push" subtances into the skin, like copper peptides for maximum absorbency. Why can emu oil do this? Emu oil can penetrate down through all seven layers of the human skin. It will not clog pores. It also stimulates the re-growth of Collagen.

Research has shown that emu oil penetrates deep into the dermis to completely moisturize, rehydrate and rehabilitate skin. Thus:

The penetrating effect of Emu oil, according to pharmacist and oil researcher Allen Strickland of Alabama, may be related to its non-phosphorus composition.

"Our skin is phospholipid deficient. In other words, there's no phosphorus in our skin. If you put anything on your skin that has phosphorus in it, your skin is 'programmed' to keep it from penetrating. Anytime you put anything on your skin that is phospholipid deficient, or has no phosphorus, it penetrates right through."

"It was interesting to note that when I looked through the literature concerning the drug and cosmetic industry," expressed Dr. Craig-Schmidt, "I learned that this (oleic) fatty acid is a known enhancer of transport of bio-active compounds through the skin. In other words, the high presence of oleic acid in the Emu oil may be one of the reasons that it is able to penetrate the skin to a large degree and at the same time be able to carry active compounds through the skin where they can have an effect in the body."

It is also studied and concluded that emu oil is non-comedogenic and will not clog pores. This is very important to me because I am very acne prone:

Many oils found in skin care or cosmetic applications have a tendency to clog pores, cause acne, and create unfavorable skin conditions.

Comedogencity (pore-clogging) testing of Emu oil conducted at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston resulted in both observational and histological scores of less than 1. These test results reveal that Emu oil "is considered to indicate a substance that is unlikely to produce a comedogenic response during human use and is therefore considered to be a negative result."

"On the basis of observational and histological testing from comedogenicity, the Emu oil used in this test, from 25% to 100%, is non-comedogenic." Even though it is an oil, Emu oil was demonstrated to be a "non pore-clogging substances, helping to keep the skin healthy.

I also found some interesting claims on the benefits of emu oil:

Heal psoriasis
Relieve eczema
Prevent scarring
Reduce swelling
Prevent latex dermatitis
Soothe and heal rhinitis
Prevent and lessen keliods
Relieve contact dermatitis
Reduce roseola from rashes
Calm flareups from rosacea
Diminish acne inflammation
Soothe radiation treated skin
Hasten healing of cosmetic peels
Hasten healing of hemorrhoids
Lessen discomfort of rheumatism
Relieve pain of arthritis and bursitis
Ease the pain of diabetic neuropathy
Soften callused feet
Relieve Achilles tendentious
Lessen discomfort of sprains
Relieve sports related injuries
Protect skin from chlorine irritation
Revive tired muscles
Prevent razor burn and nicks
Moisturize cracked, chapped skin
Soothe sunburn, prevent blistering
Relieve and heal diaper rash
Heal minor cuts and scratches
Alleviate itching of bug bites
Heal canker sores and cold sores
Stop itching and burning of rashes
Moisturize face and body after bath
Relieve dry, irritated nasal passages
Reduce stretch marks of thighs, abdomen
Lessen under eye puffiness
Reduce appearance of age spots
Diminish appearance of fine lines
Enhance benefits of massage therapy
Soften dry cuticles and promote healthy nails
Calms 'hot spots' on pets
Takes the stinger out of bee stings
Reduce irritation of flea bites
Reduce swelling in joints and fetlocks

That said, I tried to put some of these claims to the test. I am nursing a very bruised foot right now because I hit a chair with my toes as I was running barefoot. I was limping for several days and would feel stabbing pain in my toes and foot regularly. I massaged emu oil on the injured foot and I was amazed when the pain considerably diminished in minutes. Yes, minutes. I was amazed. I now believe that emu oil does penetrate all layers of the skin to go to the root of the injury. I could still feel pain but not that much anymore.

I also tried to use emu oil as a face moisturizer and eye cream. I was also pleased to feel my skin when I wake up - so soft and my sensitive eye area is very supple and well-moisturized. I will continue to use emu oil and will update you on the results. I am really beginning to love this miracle oil.