Buriti oil: what is it for?
Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, buriti oil is a great antioxidant and protects the skin and hair from sunlight
Leovigildo Santos, Buriti, State of Tocantins., CC BY-SA 3.0
Buriti oil is extracted from buriti, a very tall palm tree native to Trinidad and Tobago and other countries in the Americas, especially those located further south in the hemisphere, such as Brazil and Venezuela. It is also known as coconut-buriti, buritizeiro or muriti.
Its fruit is oval, with a reddish-brown skin and an almond inside. Buriti oil can be extracted in two ways: from the seed or through the pulp of the fruit, via cold pressing.
It is rich in oleic acid (present in greater proportion), palmitic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Buriti oil is considered a natural source of beta-carotene (vitamin A) and tocopherols (vitamin E), which are powerful antioxidants.
Due to its nutrient-rich composition, buriti oil is widely used in the cosmetic and food industries.
Buriti Oil Applications
Buriti oil has an intense red color due to the drag of carotenoid substances present in the extraction process. This factor favors its use as a natural colorant with nutritional value, and can replace artificial colorings used in the food and cosmetic industries and which often contain chemical substances that are harmful to health. To learn more about this topic, take a look at the article: "Artificial dyes as food additives: know the divisions, the types used in Brazil and their possible harm".
Carotenoids are responsible for functions in the plant, such as absorbing light energy, transporting oxygen and giving natural pigment. Buriti oil has high oxidative stability, as it is an oil rich in beta-carotene, which has great cell renewal capacity and which also works as an excellent natural exfoliant. Vitamin A fights free radicals responsible for premature aging. These substances bind to the skin's collagen, resulting in improved elasticity and reduced aging.
Buriti oil is widely used in the cosmetic industry, in sunscreens and after-sun lotions, as it has an anti-irritant effect that alleviates the redness caused by the sun's rays, and protects the skin from UV rays and radiations that cause skin cancer . It increases elasticity and decreases dryness of skin exposed to solar radiation. Buriti oil can be applied directly to burns, as it promotes immediate relief in the region and helps with healing.
When applied to the skin of the face or body, in addition to helping against aging and protecting from the sun's rays as a natural sunscreen, buriti oil leaves the skin with a luminous, soft and vital appearance. As it is healing and antioxidant, it can be applied to skin with acne, helping to heal pimples. It is easily absorbed without leaving it looking oily.
In hair, buriti oil is used as a hair strengthener, in addition to prolonging the duration of the color in dyed hair due to its strong coloration. Emollient, the oil helps to hydrate the threads, restores damaged hair, eliminates split ends, controls the frizz and promotes shine.
Due to its properties, buriti oil also serves as an ingredient for handcrafted soaps, shampoos and creams in the cosmetic industries.
On the face, it is recommended to apply pure buriti oil with the help of a cotton pad. In the body, the oil can be mixed with moisturizing creams or other types of vegetable oils. On hair, it can be applied to wet or dry strands, in hair masks and finishers. It can be mixed in shampoos, conditioners and other types of oils.
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