One of the most talked about superfoods recently is sacha inchi, a fruit beared by a plant native to South America and the Caribbean. But have you tried using sacha inchi oil, and if not what do we know about it?
Sacha inchi oil is derived from the seeds of the pracaxi plant, which are pressed to extract the oil inside. This popular carrier oil is made up of a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid, which make it highly nourishing and potentially beneficial for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Take a look through the rest of this article to learn more about sacha inchi oil, including how it’s made, its uses and benefits, some information on storage and shelf life, as well as some frequently asked questions about this oil.
What is sacha inchi oil made from?
Sacha inchi oil is made by pressing the seeds (and often the flesh) of the fruit of the pracaxi tree, which is native to areas surrounding the Amazon River in South America and the Caribbean.
If you’ve not heard of sacha inchi, that may be because it is often referred to as Sacha peanut, jungle peanut, or Inca peanut.
It is one of many carrier oils available to try for their different benefits – take a look at our recent help guide on 63 of the best carrier oils!
Uses for sacha inchi oil
Sacha inchi oil can be used taken orally as a supplement, which can help to reduce both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while increasing levels of ‘good’ cholesterol, otherwise known as HDL cholesterol.
It can also be applied topically to the skin for a number of reasons, including anti-inflammation, and moisturization, and for soothing the effects of conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Sachi inchi can be used alone, with other carrier oils, or with essential oils for massage purposes for example. Here are some essential oils that you may want to consider pairing with sacha inchi oil for different beauty applications.
Benefits of sacha inchi oil
We’ve listed below the potential benefits of sacha inchi oil to show you just how much this carrier oil is capable of:
- Highly moisturizing
- Can help to reduce transepidermal skin water loss
- Anti-inflammatory
- Mild scent
- Absorbs quickly into the skin
- Low comedogenic rating of 1
- Suitable for dry, normal, and oily skin types
- Can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- Can be used alone or mixed with carrier oils/essential oils
Appearance and scent of sacha inchi oil
Sacha inchi oil can range from yellow in color to almost transparent, depending on how rigorous the refinement process has been. This is because some manufacturers will bleach oils during refinement, and so this can affect the color of the oil as a finished product.
It has a mild scent that many people say gives nutty undertones, but it’s not overbearing which makes this oil popular with people who prefer their oils to be lightly scented/unscented.
Substitutes for sacha inchi oil
A popular substitute for sacha inchi oil is flaxseed oil, as it’s also rich in fatty acids and therefore offers similar moisturizing effects as sacha inchi oil.
Other good substitutes for sacha inchi oil include the following:
- Argan oil
- Palm oil
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
Shelf life and storage for sacha inchi oil
Sacha inchi oil can achieve a shelf life of up to 12 months when stored correctly.
The best way to store sacha inchi oil is in a cool, dark location. It is very sensitive to heat due to it containing high percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, so it’s best to keep this oil in a cool area to avoid spoiling. You could even keep it in the fridge to ramp up its soothing capabilities!
FAQ
Below you’ll find some frequently asked questions relating to sacha inchi oil to help you learn more about this unique carrier oil.
Sacha inchi oil can do a number of things depending on how it’s used.
If taken as an oral supplement, it can help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while also preventing inflammation in your body.
When applied topically to the skin, sacha inchi oil is highly moisturizing and is great for soothing conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Sacha inchi oil is thought to be good for the skin as it’s highly moisturizing, nourishing, and soothing. It can help to regulate oil production, as well as act as a mild protectant from the sun.
Some believe that sacha inchi oil is better than olive oil because it contains at least 40% more omega-3 content and at least 30% more omega-6 content than olive oil.
It also contains a higher level of antioxidants, including tocopherols and polyphenolics.
Sacha inchi oil should not clog pores as it has a comedogenic rating of 1, which means it’s very unlikely to block pores or cause acne. It is suitable for oily skin types too and can help to regulate oil levels in the skin.
Some people believe sacha inchi oil is better than flaxseed oil because it is more easily digested and contains natural antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene that are not present in flaxseed oil.
This can help to protect the skin from environmental factors such as UV light and pollution, thereby also giving the skin potential anti-aging benefits.
Leave a Comment