What's in emu oil's ingredients that make it so good for your skin? This natural oil has special nutrients that may heal and support your skin's health - better than any skin lotion.

Australian aborigines have known about emu oil's healing powers for thousands of years. They used it to protect their skin from the hot wind and sun in the Australian Outback.

What they might not have known was emu oil's ingredients are comprised of an interesting blend of essential fatty acids (EFA's).

Our bodies need EFA's for many important cellular functions, including the regeneration of healthy new skin cells. Current research has found some amazing similarities between emu oil and our own skin cells.

Comparison of Emu Oil and Human Skin

Comparing Composition (%) of Fatty Acids in Human Skin and Emu Oil

FATTY ACID	EMU OIL	HUMAN SKIN
Myristic	0.4	2.1
Palmitic	22.0	20.2
Stearic	9.6	11.2
Palmitoleic	3.5	3.8
Oleic	47.4	30.8
Linoleic	15.2	15.1
Linolenic	0.9	0.3

Looking at the above chart, you can see emu oil and human skin are almost identical in fatty acid levels. This unique similarity with emu oil may allow our bodies to absorb the oil very quickly, with minimal chance for allergic reactions. While this may be true, I'd recommend doing a small skin test with emu oil to determine if you'll experience any negative reactions.

Due to the high amount of essential fatty acids, there are many health benefits of emu oil that you may not get from other popular skin care products.

Emu Oil Puts the Brakes on Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to skin care products are a growing problem. Man-made chemicals, preservatives and other ingredients can be absorbed into your skin with unknown consequences. Emu oil may be a natural alternative to using these potentially hazardous products.

Visit any cosmetic counter and you'll find skin lotions and cosmetics promising to make your skin healthier and younger-looking. Many products are filled with 'petroleum-based' ingredients.

Look at some bottle labels and you'll most find it listed as 'petrolatum'. Petrolatum contains phospholipids, a fatty acid with a phosphorous molecule attached to them.

Photo showing how phospholipid heads naturally repel water

Research shows our skin can't absorb phosphorous very well. Petroleum-based skin moisturizers help seal in moisture, but don't really moisturize our skin. They work by forming a barrier to seal water on the skin. Another concern is if these products affect how well our skin can breathe.

Emu oil doesn't contain phospholipids or phosphorous and this quality may make emu oil highly penetrating. And the high amount of oleic acid in emu oil may increase the ability of the oil to carry compounds through the skin.

These properties of emu oil may make it more compatible with our skin than other oils, such as mineral oil and baby oil. These oils are chemically different from your skin and can't be absorbed for best moisturizing effect.

Emu oil may be used on dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, stretch marks, and wrinkle prevention.

Many athletic therapists find it makes an excellent balm for aching joints and muscles. This natural oil is a great treatment for sunburns, as well as minor cuts and wounds.

It's naturally creamy texture goes on very light and you'll be amazed how fast it's absorbed into your skin. Here's a list of uses of emu oil you may find helpful.

Emu Oil Side Effects

Studies have proven emu oil's ingredients have no side effects when applied to the skin.

• It's non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores)
• Easily absorbed for maximum moisturization
• Hypo-allergenic

Emu oil's ingredients are very similar to your skin's fatty acid make up. This makes emu oil a healthy choice for natural skin care. There are no documented dangers of emu oil.

If you're looking for a healthy oil that may naturally moisturize your skin, take a look at this healing oil and see how great your skin might look and feel.

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