In diesem Artikel
Caiaue oil, better known as ojon oil, is pressed from the nuts of the American oil palm, Elaeis oleifera, a palm of Central and South America. In Honduras the Miskito have made it for generations and used it on hair. This guide covers what caiaue oil is, how it differs from batana oil, and how it is used.
What does caiaue oil look and smell like?
It is thick, orange-yellow to red-brown, and smells nutty with a faint smokiness. The colour comes from carotenoids in the nut, and on light blonde or grey hair it can be briefly visible until it is washed out.
How is caiaue oil different from batana oil?
They come from the same palm, the same region and the same people, which is exactly why the two names get mixed up. In practice they are sold as two products with slightly different colour, thickness and smell. If you already know batana oil, caiaue is the obvious next one to try; if you know neither, start with whichever your hair type suits.
What is caiaue oil used for?
- on dry, brittle or chemically treated hair
- as a treatment before washing, through the lengths and ends
- on a dry scalp
- on very dry skin, in small areas
How do you use it as a pre-wash treatment?
Warm a tablespoon of oil between your palms until it moves easily. Massage it into the scalp and work the rest through the lengths and ends. Leave it for thirty to sixty minutes under a towel or cap, then wash it out with a mild shampoo. Two washes are often needed.
How often can you use it?
Once a week is enough for most hair. Fine hair needs less and less often; coarse or curly hair can take more.
Will it colour my hair?
Not permanently. The carotenoids can leave a warm cast on very light or grey hair while the oil is in, and it washes out. If that worries you, try a small section first.
Is caiaue palm oil the same as the palm oil in food?
No. Industrial palm oil comes from the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, grown on plantations at enormous scale. Caiaue is a different species from the American tropics, harvested in far smaller quantities.
How should caiaue oil be stored?
Cool, dark and closed. It is a thick oil and will firm up in a cold room; warming the bottle in your hands or in warm water brings it back.
Where does Aza Natural's caiaue oil come from?
We sell caiaue oil pure, with nothing added. Other rich oils are in the pure oils section.
