Benefit Neem Oil have for the Skin?

An extract of the neem tree is neem oil. Neem oil is used by some Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to treat everything from ulcers to fungal infections. The skin may benefit from the presence of fatty acids and antioxidants in this kind of oil. Learn about the risks and potential uses of neem oil in the following paragraphs. Additionally, we offer advice on how to apply neem oil to the skin.

Neem Oil: What is It?

The neem tree's fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil. The subcontinent is where most of these trees are found. Fatty acids are abundant in neem oil. such as oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids, which aid in skin health Trusted Source As a result, skin care products frequently contain the oil. Additionally, the plant's leaf has health benefits. Flavonoids and polyphenols, plant compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, can be found in the leaves.

Skin-Benefitting Benefits

The study of how plant compounds affect health and disease has only recently begun. As a result, neem oil's application in general skincare or as a treatment for skin conditions has been the subject of few scientific studies.

According to a 2018 Trusted Source review of the available research on the medicinal uses of neem, its extracts can help treat the following skin conditions: -

Acne:	Acne is a skin condition that develops over time and is characterized by inflammation and the appearance of pimples and spots, particularly on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms.
Psoriasis:	Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to grow quickly. Plaques that are thick, scaly, and prone to itching can result from this overgrowth.
Eczema:	A type of eczema affects 31.6 million people in the United States, or more than 10% of the population. Aloe vera gel, honey, and acupressure are three examples of natural treatments for eczema.
Ringworm:	A fungal infection known as ringworm results in ring-shaped lesions on the skin's outermost layers. Typically, itchy and red, these lesions can appear on the scalp, outer limbs, or torso.
Warts:	A wart is a benign growth of a small size that can appear on any part of the body.

The benefits of neem oil and the evidence supporting these claims are listed below. But first, it's important to remember that the majority of studies used animals or cell lines. Those that did involve human participants only had a small number of them. Because of this, it is challenging to arrive at conclusions regarding the general efficacy of neem.

Effects on Aging

Topical neem leaf extract's anti-aging effects on hairless mice were the subject of a 2018 study. The mice were first subjected to harmful ultraviolet B radiation by the researchers. After that, they applied neem oil to some of the rodents' skin. The team came to the conclusion that the oil helped treat the following signs of aging skin:-

Wrinkles:	Skin creases, folds, or ridges are called wrinkles. As people get older, they just come out of nowhere.
A Thicker Skin	-
Skin Irritation	Burns, allergic reactions, infections, and some health conditions are among the many potential causes of skin redness. Some conditions may necessitate medical attention because they are more severe than others.
Loss of Water	-

The extract also raised levels of procollagen, a protein that makes collagen, and elastin, an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Elastin plays a role in maintaining the shape of the skin, while collagen gives the skin structure, giving it a full, plump appearance. As people get older, their production of these compounds goes down. Wrinkles and dry, deflated-looking skin are the consequences of this over time.

Facilitating Wound Healing

In a 2015 animal study, researchers discovered that neem oil performed better than Vaseline in wound healing. Neem oil applied topically helped the rats heal more quickly. Additionally, at the sites of their wounds, they developed tissue that was more resilient and stronger. Saline and neem oil were tested on rats for their effects on wound healing in a similar 2014study. Neem oil helped those who received it heal more quickly and did not leave scars that were raised. The researchers hypothesized that neem oil's compounds might improve wound healing by encouraging the growth of blood vessels and connective tissue.

The gel treatment reduced skin toxicity in some way for all of the participants. However, it is essential to keep in mind that there was no placebo control in this study.

Combating Skin Diseases

The antibacterial properties of cosmetics containing neem compounds were the subject of a 2018 study by Trusted Source. The authors discovered that soaps containing neem bark or leaf extracts inhibited the growth of multiple bacterial strains.

Risks

Neem oil can be used safely by most people. The oil, on the other hand, is deemed to be of "low toxicity" by the EPA. It has the potential to, for instance, trigger allergic reactions like contact dermatitis. Additionally, while consuming large quantities of neem oil can have negative effects, particularly in children, even small amounts are unlikely to be harmful. Some examples include:

Vomiting

Liver Harm

Acidosis Metabolism

Encephalopathy, a condition, disorder, or damage to the brain

Uses for It

Neem oil that has been cold-pressed and is organic should be used. The oil ought to have a strong odor and a cloudy, yellow-brown color. In most cases, applying neem oil to the skin is safe. However, because it is so potent, it might be best to test it on a small area of skin before using it on more skin.

Mix a few drops of neem oil with water or liquid soap to perform a patch test. On a small patch of skin on the arm or the back of the hand, apply the mixture. Add more water or liquid soap to further dilute the neem oil if the skin becomes red, swollen, or itchy. Observe any signs of irritation as you test this mixture on a different part of the skin. After a patch test, people who are allergic to neem oil may develop hives or a rash. Stop using the oil and any products that contain it right away if this occurs.

Taking Care of Skin Problems

Neem oil is used by some to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and infections. Apply a small amount of the diluted oil to the affected area for use as a spot treatment. Rinse the mixture off with warm water after letting it soak into the skin. The smell of neem oil is particularly pungent. Try mixing neem oil with a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or almond oil to cover it up. The skin also absorbs neem oil thanks to carrier oils.

Summary

Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have long used neem oil. Despite this, research into the potential uses of neem oil in Western medicine has only recently begun. There are a number of ways that fatty acids, antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds in neem oil can help the skin. These compounds may assist in combating skin aging, wound healing, and infections, according to research. Mix neem oil with water or another carrier oil to use as part of a skincare routine. When attempting neem oil for the first time, it is essential to perform a patch test.