Oil of the Month - Pomegranate
July 2024
As I was admiring my dwarf peach tree which is slowly maturing a few peaches in the greenhouse, I had been wondering if I could give it a companion in the shape of a pomegranate tree. Those need warmth to grow and sunshine to produce and mature the irregular hard red balls filled with juicy seeds, the sort of warmth that is found in their country of origin, Iran. I was quite surprised to read (and watch on Youtube, as one does) that pomegranate bushes do grow in the UK, provided the right cultivar has been selected and they have been positioned against a south facing wall that will reflect the heat of the sun back onto the tree.
I doubt very much that the fruits that are a fairly common sight in our British shops are grown in the UK - probably not enough south facing walls and not enough sunshne, Pomegranate are however one of the few exotic fruits readily available, sought after for their vitamin rich juice and for the oil, cold-pressed from their seeds.
The oil is pale yellow and is particularly thick and sticky, a characterisitic shared with Castor oil. It is rich in conjugated fatty acids, among which punicic acid, These acids have the particularity to be strong anti-oxidants and to have as such many health benefits: Regenetive, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory. anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. They also have the ability to penetrate deeply into the epidermis and dermis allowing them to perform at a deeper level.
Due to its particularly thick nature, it is not recommended to use pomegranate oil neat. It would be difficult to spread evenly on the skin without pulling on it which would be counterproductive. It is best to add pomegranate to other carrier oils, at a ratio of 1 over 10 up to 1 over 4 if needed.
AN ALLY OF THE SKIN
Due to its regenerative properties and its ability to penetrate deeply into the skin, pomegranate is beneficial in anti-aging formulations to slow down the aging process, It can be used in association with rosehip, jojoba, argan, evening primrose, borage, camelia. It can be used as a moisturiser for the face and neck, mornings and evenings, massaging it well into the skin. A guasha stone can be used to facilitate lymphatic drainage and blood flow. The skin will feel smooth, and in time firmer.
If you already have your moisturiser of choice, it is easy to integrate pomegranate into your skin care routine. First apply your moisture evenly on the face. This will provide a slippery surface onto which a few drops of pomegranate oil can be applied and massaged into the skin.
It is important to be aware of the ingredients in your skin care products as pomegranate will have an active role in driving anything that is put on the skin deeper into it. Remember to choose wisely.
From my own experience, i like putting a lot of oil on my face, in fact several times a day. Although it might feel greasy at first and way too much, it is actually very pleasant and surprising how much oil the skin is able to absorb naturally. A couple of hours later, it has all gone in. If the skin can absorb it so easily, it needs it.
Due to its anti-inflammotry and anti-microbial properties, pomegranate can be beneficial for sky types proned to rosacea, those suffering from eczema and psoriasis, those affected by sunburn, scaring. A higher dilution can be used in association with oils such as calendula - cooling -, jojoba - balancing. Add essential oils at 1% dilution such as Chamomile, Frankincense, Lavender.
To know more about pomegranate and for usage ideas and formulations, please refer to the [oil profile] (https://materiaaromatica.com/oil-profiles/pomegranate-oil) on our website.
Pomegranate is also available to purchase.
If you are not inclined to make your own blends and wish to try the benefits that pomegranate oil offers, it enters into our formulation for our Mature Skin Blend.