We consider sacha inchi seed oil to be a superstar skincare ingredient! And that’s not just because the ingredient itself is shaped like a star–this seed oil has the ability to moisturize, protect, even, and soothe the skin. With so many benefits, sacha inchi seed oil packs a punch.
Sacha inchi is a perennial from the Euphorbiaceae family, a flowering plant family with over 7,500 species. The plant has a variety of nicknames, many of them referring to sacha inchi as Incan because the plant has been cultivated and harvested for centuries by indigenous populations in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru.
Our founder, Graydon, came to love this ingredient while she lived in Peru and experienced firsthand the many ways sacha inchi can be used. Not only can the oil be applied topically, but it can also be consumed for a variety of health benefits. On top of that, the seeds can be roasted and eaten, and the leaves can be used for tea!
Other names: Plukenetia volubilis, mountain peanut, Inca nut
What it is: hydrating, skin barrier protecting, non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory
You can find it in: Jade Moon Serum
What makes Sacha Inchi Seed Oil such a wonderful ingredient?
Sacha inchi seed oil does a lot for your skin. Its ability to support skin barrier health helps sacha inchi stand out as a great ingredient for depleted skin. It’s also brightening, plumping, non-comedogenic, and anti-inflammatory!
Read on to learn more about how sacha inchi seed oil benefits your skin.
Strengthens the Skin Barrier
The omega 3 and 6 fatty acid content in sacha inchi seed oil, especially the linolenic and linoleic acid content, are incredible sources of skin barrier-boosting goodness. When the top layer of the skin–known as the skin barrier or sometimes the lipid barrier–is not protected, it leaves the skin more prone to damage from pollution, irritants, UV rays, and more. This can lead to acne, skin issues involving inflamed skin like dermatitis, dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, and more. Your skin barrier is a big deal!
There’s another benefit to having a strong skin barrier. While it keeps out all these sources of skin damage, it also keeps in water so skin stays hydrated. When the skin barrier is weak, you can deal with something called transepidermal water loss, which is when moisture in the skin evaporates out. If you find that, no matter how much moisturizer you apply, your skin seems to always dry out, it might be because your skin barrier needs more protection!
The fatty acids in sacha inchi seed oil are incredible at improving the skin barrier because fatty acids are what give the skin cells their structure. These fatty acids are essential components to many lipids, including ceramides. This means that sacha inchi seed oil is itself a great source of lipids–which are important to the skin barrier, hence why the term lipid barrier is also used.
Brightens Complexion
Sacha inchi seed oil is filled with vitamin C, largely known in skincare for its brightening effects. Vitamin C, when applied to the skin, can help reduce the look of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it also helps protect skin from damage caused by free radicals, which are formed when the skin is exposed to environmental factors like pollution and sun exposure. When free radicals form, they cause collagen and elastin to break down, which can cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear.
Plumps and Hydrates
Returning to what was mentioned before, sacha inchi seed oil is incredibly high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids–in fact, these fats make up about 93% of the ingredient! When we look at the cellular makeup of our skin, fatty acids are often called the “building blocks” of the skin since they are what give our skin structure. That means that when our skin is filled with fatty acids, especially lipids like ceramides, our cells are plump, moisturized, and healthy.
Plump, healthy skin that is rich with fatty acids and ceramides tends to look more youthful because fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture will appear smoothed out.
Balances Oily Skin and Doesn’t Clog Pores
Another benefit to sacha inchi’s ability to boost the skin barrier is that, as a result, oil production becomes more regulated. A strong skin barrier protects against transepidermal water loss, meaning your skin holds on to its hydration longer. As a result, your body no longer needs to overproduce sebum to make up for any lost hydration. Your skin appears less oily without having to resort to solutions that dry out the skin further!
Sacha inchi seed oil has a comedogenic rating of 1, meaning it won’t leave your skin congested!
It might seem counterintuitive to apply an oil to oily skin, but sacha inchi seed oil actually has a comedogenic rating of 1. Since it’s on a scale of 1 to 5, this low score means that sacha inchi won’t clog your pores and is great for all skin types–and yes, that includes those with skin texture issues, acne, or congested skin!
It also means that even though it’s an oil, the texture of sacha inchi oil is actually very lightweight and is quick to absorb into the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Reduces Skin Irritation and Inflammation
Sacha inchi seed oil contains vitamin E (aka tocopherol) which is known for its soothing and healing properties. It’s an anti-inflammatory, meaning it’s perfect for those with sensitive, reactive skin. It’s soothing properties also help with skin redness and hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation.
With prolonged use, vitamin E can actually help your skin become less reactive to irritants over time, which is great for people with sensitive skin they wish was a little more resilient.
On the formulation side of things, vitamin E also gives oil-based skincare products a longer shelf-life naturally because it helps maintain the stability and freshness of other ingredients.
Who is Sacha Inchi Seed Oil good for?
Sacha inchi seed oil is good for a wide range of skin types, especially dry, depleted skin because of its high antioxidant and skin-smoothing properties. Sacha inchi’s ability to boost the skin barrier means that it protects the skin from oxidative damage that harms your skin’s collagen and elastin. Skin that irritates easily and is reactive will love sacha inchi’s soothing effects due to the anti-inflammatory abilities of this vitamin-rich seed oil.
Sacha inchi seed oil is perfect for dry, depleted, sensitive, or reactive skin.
If you have pores that clog easily and are concerned with the heaviness of oil ingredients, sacha inchi seed oil is non-comedogenic, lightweight on the skin, and absorbs quickly, meaning it’s ultra-moisturizing without congesting the skin. Because sacha inchi oil moisturizes and controls oil, it’s perfect for people who want to smooth their skin and appear more healthy and youthful. The brightening and plumping effects of sacha inchi are also key benefits for people seeking a glossy, luminous appearance to the skin.
Get the Benefits of Sacha Inchi From Jade Moon Serum
Jade Moon Serum harnesses the power of antioxidant-rich superfood oils, including sacha inchi! As an oil-based serum, it’s formulated to be lightweight so you can reap the hydrating and skin smoothing benefits of oils without leaving your skin congested.
We created Jade Moon Serum to leave dry, depleted skin looking healthy, hydrated, and glowing. By boosting the skin barrier, sacha inchi and ingredients like it in Jade Moon Serum also promote skin health by protecting it against damage that causes a breakdown of elastin and collagen–the most common reason your skin develops fine lines and wrinkles.
Summary
Here’s what we know about sacha inchi seed oil and its skin benefits!
Sacha Inchi:
- Has its origins in Peru and was used by the Incans, hence it’s nickname of Inca Nut
- Strengthens and moisturizes the skin
- Brightens, soothes, and balances all skin types
- Is ideal for depleted skin due to its ability to hydrate and protect the skin barrier
- Is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants–a powerful combination for overall skin health
- Helps skin appear more youthful, improves skin texture, and doesn’t clog pores
- Can be found in our oil-based serum, Jade Moon
