Pomegranate Seed Oil: Nature's Treasure for Optimal Skin Hydration
The pomegranate has been celebrated across borders and religions as a symbol of divine femininity since the dawn of civilization. With its ruby seeds that burst into a vibrant scarlet juice, it is continuously associated with love and life; a metaphor for passion and resurrection.
Origin, Cultivation & Production
Pomegranate seed oil is a thick, viscous golden liquid highly concentrated in vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids. It contains potent antioxidants and can deliver a host of benefits for skin, including cell regeneration and water retention.
Our preference is for organic pomegranate oil that is cold-pressed from the seeds—an extraction method that remains faithful to the integrity of the fruit and its benefits. It takes over 200 pounds of fresh pomegranate seeds to produce just one pound of pomegranate seed oil. Fortunately, since it is so concentrated, very little is needed to reap all its wondrous benefits.
Early pomegranate cultivation dates back to Ancient times where the vermillion fruit bloomed upon the warm Mediterranean shores of what would now be considered modern-day Iran.
Revered by all who came across it for its nutritious and therapeutic benefits, the pomegranate has been prominently featured in religions, myths and fables for centuries as a symbol that celebrates the spirit of life. In Classical literature, Anatolian mother goddess Cybele became pregnant after placing the pomegranate atop her womb. For the Ancient Egyptians, pomegranates symbolized prosperity and ambition and were often placed in the tombs of nobility. And, during the Renaissance, artists drew from the Bible to highlight the religious symbolism of the transition of life to death to resurrection while also highlighting the many virtues of the Virgin Mary.
So, what is it about this magical fruit that has kept us enchanted through the ages?
Pro-Hydration
A superfood renowned for its nutritive internal benefits, pomegranate seed oil is also highly beneficial when applied topically. It makes for an incredibly effective moisturizer due to its dense concentration of key nutrients and composition of multiple omega fatty acids.
Generally speaking, we need omega fatty acids to strengthen our moisture barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss—essentially keeping the outermost layer of skin at its strongest. This is especially important for strengthening the lip’s delicate barrier to protect against UV rays and free radicals that can contribute to premature aging.
When it comes to fatty acids and skincare, we usually hear about the benefits of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 (of which there are plenty!), but pomegranate contains omega-5 punicic acid, which is a powerful compound exclusive to this fruit. Punicic acid has a high antioxidant potency and helps to both hydrate and promote water retention. Pomegranates also have high concentrations of oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid, which work as effective emollients that lock-in moisture.
Most importantly, pomegranate seed oil has a unique molecular structure that is able to deeply penetrate the skin to deliver intense hydration.
Regeneration
And where there is hydration, there is bounce. Pomegranate seed oil supports healthy aging and revivifies skin’s self-repair functions, resulting in softer, smoother skin. Its natural reserves of Vitamin C, punicic acid and phytosterols have the ability to stabilize existing collagen supplies and may help to stimulate further collagen production. Punicic acid specifically can help to improve elasticity (hello, plump lips!) and encourage cell regeneration.
Anti-Inflammation
Pomegranate seed oil can also work to restore chapped lips that are inflamed and cracked. It contains phytosterols (bioactive compounds) that can help to reduce inflammation by nourishing and softening dry skin. It is non-comedogenic so it is able to reduce flakiness without clogging pores surrounding the lip area.
This botanical treasure packs a punch and—as with all the ingredients in Abaci Lip Balm—has been thoughtfully selected for its unique skin benefits. It delivers a powerful surge of antioxidants to your lips and feeds them the vitamins they need to keep them visibly plump and hydrated.
