Black palm kernel oil is one of those things people buy because they heard about it, then leave in the cupboard because nobody told them what to do with it. It is simpler than it looks. Here is how to use black palm kernel oil the way it is used in Nigeria, and how to fit it into a normal routine. It comes from the kernel of the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis.
First, what you are holding
Black palm kernel oil comes from the kernel of the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis. In the traditional method the kernels are cracked out of the nut and roasted over a live firewood fire until the heat drives the oil out. That is where the deep amber brown colour and the smoky, nutty smell come from.
It is solid when it is cool and it melts on contact with skin. If your jar arrives soft or liquid in warm weather, nothing has gone wrong. Palm kernel oil softens near body temperature. It sets again when it cools.
The one habit that makes it work
Warm it in your palms first. Scoop a little, rub your hands together for a few seconds, and the solid turns to oil. Applied warm it spreads thin and absorbs. Applied cold it sits on top and feels greasy. That single step is the difference between people who love this oil and people who give up on it.
Black palm kernel oil on hair and scalp
Two ways, and you can do both.
As a leave in
- Take a small amount, less than you think, and warm it between your palms.
- Work it into your scalp with your fingertips, section by section.
- Smooth what is left over the lengths and ends.
- Leave it in. Style as normal.
On 4c hair, put water in first and seal with the oil. See how to keep 4c hair moisturized.
As a pre wash treatment
- Warm a slightly larger amount and work it through dry hair, scalp first.
- Leave it for about thirty minutes. A shower cap or a wrap helps.
- Shampoo and condition as usual.
If your hair is fine or you have been using a lot of product, start with the pre wash version. It gives you the oil without leaving weight behind.
Black palm kernel oil on skin
Use it as a body balm on the dry places: elbows, knees, heels, shins, the backs of the hands. Warm it, press it in, and give it a minute before you dress. A little goes a long way. This is a thick oil and a pea sized amount covers more than you expect.
Best time to apply it is straight out of the shower while the skin is still slightly damp.
For the full skin routine, read palm kernel oil for skin.
On a beard
Warm a small amount and work it in from the skin outward, not just over the surface hair. The skin underneath is usually the part that needs it.
If the smoke is too much for you
The smell is real and it is meant to be there. It fades as the oil absorbs, but it is stronger on application than most commercial oils.
If you want it softer, add two or three drops of rosemary or lavender oil to your palm before you rub your hands together. It blends in and it does not change how the oil behaves.
How much and how often
There is no rule and we are not going to invent one. What people generally do:
- Scalp: two or three times a week
- Pre wash treatment: once a week, on wash day
- Skin: daily, after showering
- Beard: daily or every other day
Start with less. This oil is easier to add than to take back out.
Storing black palm kernel oil
Keep it closed, out of direct sun, at room temperature. It does not need refrigerating. If it has gone liquid in the heat and you want it solid again, put the closed jar somewhere cool for an hour.
Questions about how to use black palm kernel oil
Can I use it on my face?
It is a heavy oil. People do, usually on dry patches rather than all over. If your skin is prone to congestion, test a small area first and see how it behaves over a few days.
Will it stain?
It is a deeply coloured oil, so treat it like one. Keep it off light coloured pillowcases and collars until it has absorbed.
Is it the same as red palm oil?
No. Red palm oil is cooking oil from the fruit. This is from the kernel and it is not a cooking oil.
Is it the same as batana oil?
No, but they are close. Both are palm kernel oils, both made by cracking the nut and cooking the kernel over fire. The difference is the species of palm and the continent it grows on. We wrote out the full comparison here: batana oil vs palm kernel oil, what is the difference. You will also see it sold as African batana oil.
Three simple ways people use black palm kernel oil
- As a pre-poo. Warm a little between your palms and work it through the hair and scalp before washing.
- As a sealant. After a water-based leave-in conditioner, smooth a small amount over the lengths and ends to seal in moisture. See how to keep 4c hair moisturized.
- As a body balm. After a shower, massage a thin layer into damp skin. It melts on contact and leaves skin feeling soft.
Can you cook with black palm kernel oil?
No. Ude Aki is sold as a cosmetic, for external use only. Do not eat it or cook with it.
Why is it called black palm kernel oil?
Black palm kernel oil is the traditional kind, made from kernels cooked over firewood. Despite the name, in the jar the colour is deep caramel to rich brown, darker or lighter by batch. Read Ude Aki in English.
Where to get black palm kernel oil
Ude Aki Black Palm Kernel Oil, 4 oz. One ingredient, fire roasted in Nigeria, packed by Jeb Foods in Union, New Jersey. In a wide mouth jar you can actually get two fingers into, which matters more than it sounds when the oil is solid.
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Buying batana oil? Read real batana oil vs fake: 7 ways to tell before you buy.