Batana Oil for Skin and Face: How to Use It

Is batana oil good for skin? As a moisturizer, yes. Honduran and African batana oil are both rich kernel oils, and the European cosmetic ingredient database lists both as emollients, ingredients that soften and smooth the skin.

At JEB FOODS we make Ude Aki, the African cousin of batana oil, a black palm kernel oil from Nigeria. Here is how to use batana oil for skin and face, how much to use, and what to expect.

Is batana oil good for skin? The short answer

• It moisturizes. It seals in the water already in your skin.
• It softens. Rough spots like elbows, knees and heels feel smoother.
• It gives a glow. A thin layer leaves skin looking soft and glowing.
• It melts on contact. Solid when cool, it turns to oil as soon as it touches warm skin.

Palm kernel oil has been reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, which concluded it is safe as used in cosmetics.

How to use batana oil for skin

1. Start with damp skin. Right after a shower or bath works best.
2. Warm a little in your palms. Grainy is normal. It melts in seconds.
3. Smooth it on. Focus on dry areas such as elbows, knees, heels and hands.
4. Give it a few minutes. Let it sink in before you dress.

For more ideas, see palm kernel oil for skin.

Batana oil for face: can you use it on your face?

Yes, in a very small amount. The face needs far less than the body.

1. Patch test first. Try a small area, such as along the jawline, and stop if irritation occurs.
2. Use a tiny amount. About the size of a grain of rice, warmed between your fingertips.
3. Press it in. Pat it onto dry areas such as the cheeks rather than rubbing hard.
4. Use it at night. It is rich, so many people prefer it as the last step before bed.
5. Keep it away from your eyes.

If your face feels heavy or oily, use less, or use it only on dry patches.

Which skin types like batana oil best?

• Dry skin: usually the happiest with a rich oil like this.
• Normal skin: use a thin layer, mainly in cooler, drier weather.
• Oily skin: may find it too heavy for the face. Try it on the body instead.

What to expect the first time

• Smell: Ude Aki has a strong smoky, nutty scent. That is the real thing. It fades after a few minutes on skin.
• Colour: deep caramel to rich brown in the jar. Rubbed out thin on skin it is a warm caramel orange.
• Clothes: let it sink in before you dress, so it does not mark light fabric.
• Solid or liquid: both are normal. Whatever the weather did in transit decides which one lands on your doorstep. If it arrives solid, warm it in your hands for a few seconds.

Honduran or African batana oil for skin?

Same family, different home, same job.

• Honduran batana oil is Elaeis Oleifera Kernel Oil, from the American oil palm.
• African batana oil, like Ude Aki, is Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, from the African oil palm.

The European cosmetic ingredient database lists both as skin conditioning emollients. One process, two continents. Read batana oil vs black palm kernel oil.

Questions people ask

Can I use batana oil on my face every day?

You can, if your skin likes it. Many people use it a few nights a week, or only in dry weather.

Can I mix batana oil with my lotion?

Yes. Warm a little in your palm, add your usual lotion and smooth them on together.

Is batana oil good for dry skin?

Yes. Dry skin is where a rich, single ingredient oil like this feels best. It moisturizes and softens.

Is black palm kernel oil the same as batana oil?

They are close cousins from the same plant family, made the same way. Read what is palm kernel oil.

Safety

For external use only. Patch test on a small area before first use and stop if irritation occurs. Avoid contact with eyes. Not for use on broken skin. Keep out of reach of children.

Where to get Ude Aki

JEB FOODS Ude Aki Black Palm Kernel Oil, 4 oz is one ingredient and nothing else, cooked over firewood in Nigeria and packed in the USA. Scan the QR code on the lid, or visit jebfoods.com/real, to check your jar is real.

Part of the profit funds our nonprofit organization, Save All Africa Kids (saak.org).

Sources

• Cosmetics Europe, COSMILE Europe. Elaeis Oleifera Kernel Oil.
• Cosmetics Europe, COSMILE Europe. Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Elaeis guineensis, African oil palm. Plants of the World Online.
• Burnett CL, et al. Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 2017.