Neem oil has a rich and extensive history of uses in Ayurvedic medicine and beauty. For over 4000 years, neem oil has been a valuable ingredient for taking care of and healing the hair and the skin. This is largely due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties. Yet despite this, neem oil still flies under the radar when it comes to modern beauty practices. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of neem oil for skin and hair, safety and why its less popular than other beauty oils. We’ll also review the best way to use neem oil in your hair and skincare routine.
What Is Neem Oil?
Neem oil is a golden-brown oil extracted through cold pressing the seeds of the Azadirachta indica tree. This neem tree is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. As such, Neem oil has enjoyed over 4000 of years of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Its many uses include treating infections, soothing skin disorders and even as a natural pesticide. Neem oil has also long had a place in beauty. This is largely due to the fact that neem oil contains active compounds that are beneficial for the skin and hair such as:
- Azadirachtin: Renowned for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, this compound makes neem oil highly effective for addressing scalp conditions like dandruff and fungal infections. It also helps combat acne-causing bacteria to help promote clearer skin.
- Nimbin & Nimbidin: These powerful anti-inflammatory agents are ideal for soothing irritated or inflamed skin. This makes neem oil beneficial for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. On the scalp, they help reduce redness and discomfort caused by dandruff or sensitivity.
- Essential Fatty Acids: Neem oil’s high concentration of essential fatty acids delivers deep hydration to the skin. This helps to repair the skin barrier and lock in moisture. For hair, these fatty acids can strengthen strands, reduce breakage as well as improve shine and manageability.
Benefits of Neem Oil for Skin & Hair
Thanks to its soothing and restorative properties, neem oil can offer benefits to a variety of skin concerns ranging from acne to dryness. This is mainly due to its composition of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hydrating compounds. Here are the key benefits of neem oil for skin:
- Hydrates & Nourishes Dry Skin: Neem oil’s high concentration of fatty acids penetrate deeply into the skin to deliver long-lasting hydration. It’s especially beneficial for dry, flaky or cracked skin to help make it softer and more supple. Neem oil can also support and repair the skin’s natural barrier.
- Clears Acne & Blemishes: Through its antimicrobial properties, neem oil can be highly effective against acne-causing bacteria. It can also help to reduce inflammation, redness and future breakouts. Better still, neem oil is relatively gentle and suitable for sensitive skin.
- Soothes Eczema, Rosacea & Psoriasis: For those with reactive skin conditions, neem oil can offer relief from itching, redness and irritation. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help calm flare-ups, whilst its hydrating effects restore comfort to dry and irritated skin.
- Reduces Hyperpigmentation & Scars: Neem oil promotes cell turnover and skin renewal. This can help improve dark spots, acne scars and uneven skin tone. Consistent use can lead to a brighter, smoother and more even skin.
- Protects Against Premature Ageing: Containing antioxidants, neem oil may help fight free radicals that contribute to extrinsic skin ageing. Regular use can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and protect against environmental damage.
In addition to its skin benefits, neem oil also has many uses for hair and scalp care. Through its its antimicrobial and nourishing properties it can help create the ideal environment for stronger healthier hair. Here are some of the key benefits of neem oil for hair and scalp:
- Promotes Hair Growth: Neem oil nourishes hair follicles and improves blood circulation to the scalp. This helps improve the scalp condition for healthy thicker hair growth over time.
- Treats Dandruff & Itchy Scalp: Through its antifungal properties, neem oil can treat dandruff, reducr flakiness and sooth itching.
- Strengthens Hair & Prevents Breakage: Neem oil fortifies the hair shaft thus reducing breakage and hair thinning.
- Conditions & Adds Shine: When used as a conditioning treatment, neem oil smooths the hair cuticle, improving shine and texture. It can help tame frizz to leave hair soft and manageable.
How to Use Neem Oil in Your Routine
Neem oil is a versatile ingredient and you can easily add it to your hair and skincare routine. Although there are a few ready made beauty products that contain it, they’re small in number. So probably the easiest way to use it is to buy neem oil and add it to existing skin or hair products. Here’s how to add neem oil into your skincare routine:
- Spot Treatment: Mix one drop of neem oil with a teaspoon of a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil. Using a cotton bud, apply the mixture directly to blemishes or areas of irritation. This can help reduce redness, swelling and breakouts.
- Moisturising Boost: Add 2–3 drops of neem oil to your favourite moisturiser and apply it to your skin. This combination helps hydrate dry skin and repair its natural barrier.
- Body Oil: Blend a few drops of neem oil with a nourishing carrier oil like almond or avocado oil. You can then massage this mixture on to dry or rough areas, such as elbows, knees and heels.
Its also super easy to add neem oil into your hair care routine. Below are our best tips for how to use neem oil in your scalp and hair care routine:
- Scalp Treatment: Dilute 3–4 drops of neem oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil, such as coconut or castor oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp focusing on areas prone to dryness or flakiness. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing with a gentle shampoo. This treatment can help combat dandruff and promote a healthier scalp environment.
- Shampoo Add-In: Add a few drops of neem oil to your regular shampoo. This helps enhance its cleansing properties whilst soothing an itchy scalp and reducing dandruff.
- Conditioning Treatment: Mix a few drops of neem oil with your hair mask or conditioner and apply to the lengths and ends of your hair. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly to hydrate dry strands and boost shine.
Safety & Considerations
Although neem oil is generally considered a safe and effective natural remedy for a variety of skin, scalp and hair concerns, it may not be for everyone. Neem oil is highly concentrated and can cause adverse reactions if not used properly. Common risks include:
- Toxicity: Neem oil should never be ingested, as it can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including nausea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, organ damage.
- Skin Irritation: Undiluted neem oil may cause redness, itching, or a burning sensation. This is even more likely to occur on sensitive skin.
- Allergic Reactions: Symptoms such as swelling, rash or discomfort may indicate an allergy. Discontinue use immediately if this occurs.
Bearing in mind the above, you should follow a few precautions to try and reduce the risks. Sone safety measures to take when using neem oil include:
- Always Dilute: Mix neem oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut, jojoba or almond oil, before applying it to your skin, scalp or hair. A common ratio is 2–3 drops of neem oil per tablespoon of carrier oil but titrate this as per your skin’s response.
- Perform a Patch Test: Apply a small amount of diluted neem oil to a discreet area of skin, such as your forearm, and wait 24 hours to check for any adverse reactions.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Neem oil should not be used near the eyes, inside the mouth or on broken skin.
- Start Slowly: If you’re new to neem oil, begin with a lower concentration and limit use to 1–2 times a week. You can then gradually increase frequency based on how your skin or scalp responds.
In addition to the above precautions, there are a few people who need to take additional care or even avoid neem oil all together. Neem oil may not be suitable in the following groups:
- Highly sensitive skin: Neem oil’s potency can cause irritation for those prone to sensitivity. Always perform a patch test before full application and speak with your healthcare provider first if you have any underlying skin conditions .
- Pregnant or breastfeeding: The effects of neem oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding are not well-studied. You should consult your a healthcare provider before use.
- People with nut allergies: Neem oil is derived from seeds and may pose a risk to those with allergies to nuts or seeds.
Comparison With Other Beauty Oils
Whilst neem oil offers a range of benefits for skin and hair, its strong unpleasant scent and thick consistency make it less appealing for daily use and is probably the reason why its less popular than other beauty oils. Here’s how neem oil compares to its main competitors:
- Tea Tree Oil: Both neem and tea tree oil possess strong antimicrobial properties, making them effective for treating acne and scalp issues. Tea tree oil’s lighter texture and milder scent make it more popular for daily use especially for acne. In contrast, neem oil’s rich fatty acid content provides deeper hydration which makes it suitable for more intensive treatments especially for dry skin.
- Rosehip Oil: Rich in vitamins A and C, rosehip oil is superior for its hydrating, brightening and anti-ageing benefits. That being said, neem oil wins at treating acne and skin irritation.
- Argan Oil: Thanks to its high content of vitamin E and essential fatty acids, argan oil comes out a head for its ability to strengthen and moisturise hair as well as boost shine. However, it lacks the antifungal properties of neem oil, which is more effective for addressing dandruff and scalp irritation.
- Jojoba Oil: This closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it excellent for balancing oil production and providing lightweight moisture. Neem oil is better suited for addressing acne, irritation or severely dry skin.
- Squalane: Another lightweight non-greasy oil, squalane provides great hydration and is suitable for all skin types. Unlike neem oil, squalane is odourless and absorbs quickly, making it ideal for daily moisturising.
Neem oil is a versatility and multi-functional beauty oil with thousands of years of use in traditional medicine and beauty practices. Unfortunately due to its consistency and smell, it has enjoyed less uptake than other beauty oils in modern hair and skincare routines. You can however mask this smell and improve its consistency by diluting with your existing products or other beauty oils. If used correctly and consistently, you can get all the benefits of neem oil for clearer more hydration skin and stronger glossier hair.
At City Skin Clinic, we are passionate with personalised skincare and beauty. We provide custom compound skincare treatments with prescription-strength ingredients including Tretinoin and Hydroquinone where appropriate through our online skin clinic. Our doctors treat a range of conditions such as acne and scars, hyperpigmentation, melasma, skin ageing. To start your personalised skincare plan, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great skin starts here.