Mustard oil is no doubt special in the arena of natural beauty remedies. This golden oil, which comes from mustard seeds, is part and parcel of an Indian household kitchen menu for cooking, but the oil plays its role in skin and hair care too. Mustard oil is rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants, and its benefits include all conditions of skin glow and healthy hair. Let's go discover how natural magic can entirely transform beauty routines.
Top 10 Mustard Oil Benefits
Penetrates Deep Into Dry Skin
Mustard oil uses for skin has deep moisturizing effects. Mustard oil is high in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and penetrates through skin layers, resulting in deep hydration. Such oil serves as a natural treatment for dry and flaky skin in winter. Constant massage of mustard oil will mainly keep skin elastic and soft, alongside a glowing and healthy-looking skin.
How to Use:
It is better to warm and rub a couple of drops of mustard oil into your skin before going to bed, and wash it off with water the next morning for silky smooth skin.
Natural Cleanser and Detoxifier
Mustard oil is considered a natural cleansing and detoxifying oil for the skin. It purifies the pores of dirt, impurity, and toxins, the active defense against acne and breakouts. Antibacterial and antifungal properties protect the skin from infection and also keep it aglow with health and freshness.
Delay in Aging Signs
Vitamin E and other antioxidants in mustard oil fight premature aging caused by free radicals. Regular use can diminish expression or age lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, resulting in a youthful glow. It also nourishes the skin cells through the circulation of blood, boosting their activity, vitality, and skin tone.
Pro Tip: Dab your fingers with a few drops of mustard oil for a small massage. Then rub it over your cheeks and forehead in a circular motion upward to aid collagen and skin firmness.
Natural Sunscreen
Surprisingly, mustard oil can provide a natural sunscreen protection effect. Allyl isothiocyanate, which is found in mustard oil, can help protect the skin from the effects of harmful UV rays of sunlight. While not the best alternative to commercial SPF, a thin layer before exposing the skin to sunlight can provide additional protection, mildly soothing the skin.
Important Note: Always apply a patch test before using mustard oil on sensitive skin, as it might irritate some people.
Fades Dark Spots and Pigmentation
Mustard oil effectively heals dark spots, pigmentation, and blemishes. Rich in nutrients, mustard oil helps promote an even tone, brightening the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of skin. With mustard oil application over a period, tanning and spots can be minimized by exposing skin to sunlight, leaving a fresh and natural glow on the skin surface.
Suggested Remedy: Mix mustard oil with curd and apply it to pigmented areas for 20 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Strengthens Hair Roots
Mustard oil for hair growth is may be one of those strong hair tonics that are quite effective in strengthening the hair from its roots. Its high omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and protein composition bring deep nourishment to the scalp and hair follicles. Regular oiling with mustard wouldn't harm in marinating the lush locks and in making them more beautiful.
How To Use: Massage mustard oil into the scalp in circular motions and leave overnight. Wash it off with a mild shampoo the next morning for best results.
Stimulates Hair Growth
One of the outstanding properties of mustard oil is that it induces hair growth: its natural heating capacity activates the blood circulation of the scalp and supplements the hair roots with the mandatory nutrients to sprout new hair, increasing hair bulk and adding shine to the strands.
Hair Growth Booster: For an aromatic and effective hair growth serum, add a few drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil into mustard oil.
Treats Dandruff and Scalp Infections
Mustard oil is, therefore, very beneficial in curing dandruff, dry scalp, and fungal infections due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can also soothe irritated scalp conditions and reduce flaking. Mustard oil also maintains the natural pH of the scalp, keeping it healthy and itch-free.
Quick Remedy: Take mustard oil and pour two drops of tea tree oil into it. Apply onto your scalp and keep it for 30 minutes before rinsing.
Naturally, Conditions Hairs
Mustard oil acts as a natural conditioner to hair, restoring moisture and luster to dry and dull hair. Smoothens hair cuticles, reduces frizz, and makes hair more manageable. It can help recover damage due to excessive heat styling, including chemical treatments, in the long run.
DIY Hair Mask: Combine mustard oil with yogurt and honey to make a deep conditioning mask. Apply to hair 30-45 mins then wash with a mild shampoo for best results.
Stops Premature Greying of Hair
Mustard oil entails very relevant nutrients and trace minerals such as selenium, which may help in preserving the natural pigment of hair. It may delay the process of greying hair by keeping the hair shaft nourished and safeguarding melanin content in hair strands.
Usage Tip: For retaining the natural color of hair, warm mustard oil and massage onto the scalp 2-3 times weekly.
Mustard Oil Side Effects: What You Should Know
Mustard oil enjoys a high reputation for its utility in skincare, hair care, and cooking; however, it is not entirely sans side effects. Like any remedy in nature, too much or wrong use of mustard oil can mean adverse reactions in some individuals. Below is an elaborate description of the most common mustard oil side effects and the precautions to be taken.
Skin Irritation and Allergic Reactions
Mustard oil contains allyl isothiocyanate, which gives rise to irritation, redness, and itching, particularly in users with sensitive skin. Prolonged or excessive use of mustard oil on the skin may lead to rashes or dermatitis.
Symptoms include:
- Itching
- Burning sensation
- Redness or swelling
- Rash or hives
Always perform a patch test before applying mustard oil onto your skin or scalp to check for allergies.
Irritation in Eyes and Mucous Membranes
Around-the-eye application or excessive facial use of mustard oil can give rise to pungent vapors that irritate the eyes and cause acrid sensations. Furthermore, its inhalation may irritate the nasal cavity and the throat.
Avoid applying mustard oil too near the eyes or nostrils, and use it in well-ventilated places.
Risk of Lipoid Pneumonia (When Used for Nasal Massage in Infants)
In some traditional societies, mustard oil is used for massaging babies and even putting it in their nostrils to treat colds, which may cause lipoid pneumonia: a condition arising from inhalation of oil into the lungs.
Warning:
Nasal application of mustard oil should be avoided in infants or young children. Consult your pediatrician before using it for baby massage.
It May Aggravate Acne or Oily Skin
Mustard oil could clog the pores of individuals with acne or oily skin conditions and worsen breakouts. It is rather heavy for oil and does not suit all skin types.
Suggestion:
Use mustard oil sparingly if your skin is oily, and wash it off after 15–20 minutes.
Potential Cardiotoxicity (in Excess)
Erucic acid is a fatty acids that poses some risk to heart health in large doses. A moderate amount of use is generally considered safe, but excessive ingestion can lead to fat deposits in the heart and compromise its function.
Advisory:
When cooking, use cold-pressed mustard oil in moderation. If heart problems are in your history, then avoid overconsumption.
Final Thoughts
Whether glowing skin is the purpose or strong, healthy hair, mustard oil is all-in-one beauty magic. Cheap, easily available, and loaded with nutrients, this traditional oil offers a chemical-free, nature-intrinsic process to beauty enhancement. However, mustard oil massage benefits for skin and hair care. Always do a patch test before doing a full application if you are sensitive to skin or scalp.
Incorporate mustard oil in your week, and see noted changes in the skin radiance and hair texture in no time.
