Tamanu Oil

Carrier Oil · Calophyllum inophyllum

Tamanu Oil

The South Pacific healer

A thick, dark-green oil pressed from tamanu nuts — a treasured Polynesian skin oil with a rich, distinctive character and a long reputation for soothing and restoring troubled, scarred or weathered skin. Hover any measure to see where tamanu sits on the scale.

Weight
Heavy
Heavy
Medium
Light
How heavy the oil feels on skin. Lighter oils absorb fast and sit weightless; heavier oils cushion and linger.
Absorption
Slow
Fast
Moderate
Slow
How quickly the oil sinks in. Fast feels dry-touch; slow stays on the surface for longer-lasting conditioning.
Finish
Rich
Rich
Slight Sheen
Natural
Matte
The look left on the skin — from a flat, matte finish to a rich, visible sheen.
Vitamin E
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
Natural antioxidant (tocopherol) content. Higher levels help protect skin and keep the oil stable.
The Basics

What it is

Tamanu oil is pressed from the nut kernels of Calophyllum inophyllum, a tree of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. The result is a thick, dark-green oil with a rich, nutty aroma and a high natural content of soothing compounds.

Islanders have prized it for generations to comfort troubled, scarred and weathered skin. It's a heavyweight, slow-absorbing oil usually used in small amounts within a richer blend.

Quick Facts

Botanical nameCalophyllum inophyllum
OriginSouth Pacific / SE Asia
SourceNut kernels
ExtractionCold-pressed
ColourDark green
ComedogenicModerate (2–3)
Also calledForaha / Kamani oil
Where it comes from

The Tree & The Nut

Tamanu tree

The Tamanu Tree

A broad coastal evergreen of the tropics, bearing round green fruit whose kernels yield the oil.

Tamanu nuts

The Nuts

The kernels are dried and cold-pressed to yield a thick, dark, soothing oil.

Composition

The Compound Profile

Tamanu balances oleic and linoleic acids with a notable saturated fraction. The typical breakdown:

Oleic Acid Omega-9 · monounsaturated
38%
Linoleic Acid Omega-6 · polyunsaturated
34%
Palmitic Acid saturated
14%
Stearic Acid saturated
13%
Beyond Fatty Acids

Tamanu's reputation lives in its rare resinous compounds:

Calophyllolide
A natural compound long associated with tamanu's soothing character.
Coumarins & Resins
Unique compounds behind its distinctive colour, aroma and feel.
Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Antioxidants that support the barrier and oil stability.
Why People Love It

Key Benefits

Soothing & Restoring

A traditional comfort for troubled, scarred and weathered skin.

Deeply Conditioning

A rich, heavyweight oil for very dry or stressed areas.

Unique Compounds

Rare resins and coumarins give it a character all its own.

In Our Formulations

How we use it

Tamanu is a potent, characterful active — we use it in small amounts where a blend wants its soothing, restoring reputation for troubled skin.

Its richness and strong character mean it's layered into targeted balms and treatment oils rather than used as a base.

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