Tamanu oil stimulates collagen production

Calophylla oil, also known as Tamanu oil, is a natural ingredient with multiple benefits for the skin, especially for mature skin looking for an effective solution to maintain firmness and elasticity. Thanks to its composition rich in bioactive ingredients, it is the ideal ally for stimulating collagen production. This article explores how this precious oil, used for centuries in Polynesia and elsewhere, can promote skin regeneration and improve skin appearance.

What is Tamanu oil?

Calophyllum oil (or Tamanu oil) comes from the fruit of the Calophyllum inophyllum tree, a tropical species native to the Pacific region. This oil has been known for centuries for its healing properties. Traditionally used in Polynesian medicine, it is applied locally to treat various skin conditions, such as burns, eczema and wounds. Today, its use has been extended to the cosmetics field, due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and above all its ability to promote skin regeneration.

What is the biochemical composition of Tamanu oil?

Calophylla oil is unique in its chemical composition. Unlike traditional vegetable oils, it contains not only essential fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid, but also a resinous fraction rich in neoflavonoids and pyranocoumarins. These bioactive compounds, in particular calophyllolide, have been shown to have beneficial effects on the skin, including stimulating collagen and regulating inflammatory processes.

Essential fatty acids :

• Oleic acid (23.6%)
• Linoleic acid (25.5%)
• Stearic acid (30.2%)

Resinous compounds :

• Calophyllolide
• Inophyllums C, D, E
• Tamanolides

These elements give Calophyllum oil antioxidant and repairing properties, making it a key ingredient in the prevention of skin ageing.

What is collagen used for?

Collagen is a structural protein essential for skin firmness and elasticity. It accounts for around 70% of the dry weight of the skin and plays a crucial role in maintaining the dermal structure. With age, collagen production declines, leading to the appearance of wrinkles, loss of firmness and thinner, more fragile skin. Stimulating collagen production is therefore a key strategy for combating the visible signs of ageing, particularly in mature skin.

Recent studies have shown that Calophyllum oil, particularly in the form of an emulsion (TOE – Tamanu Oil Emulsion), has the ability to stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing this protein. The effects observed are as follows:

• A 10-40%increase in collagen production in treated skin cells.
• Activation of the proliferation of dermal cells (fibroblasts and keratinocytes), promoting accelerated regeneration.
• Reduced inflammation thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects of calophyllolide, which allows tissues to heal more rapidly.

These results suggest that Calophylla oil may play a key role in skin repair and the prevention of premature ageing, while improving the texture and overall appearance of the skin.

What are the benefits of Tamanu oil for mature skin?

Stimulating collagen production is a key factor in maintaining skin firmness and elasticity in people with mature skin. With age, collagen synthesis naturally decreases, leading to sagging skin and the appearance of deep wrinkles. Studies show that Calophylla oil, particularly when used in the form of Tamanu oil emulsion (TOE), promotes an increase in the proliferation of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production. This leads to a significant improvement in dermal structure, with an increase in collagen production of 10 to 40% according to tests carried out on human cell cultures.

This natural stimulation of collagen not only slows down the visible signs of ageing, but also strengthens the extracellular matrix, helping to maintain firmer, more toned skin.

The antioxidant properties of Calophylla oil play a fundamental role in protecting the skin against oxidative damage. Skin ageing is largely accelerated by free radicals, which cause collagen and elastin fibres to break down, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and a loss of elasticity. Thanks to its richness in neoflavonoids, such as inophyllum and calophyllolide, Calophylla oil acts as a powerful free radical scavenger, neutralising these unstable molecules before they can damage skin structures.

In addition, studies show that Calophyllum oil also has a significant ability to absorb UV rays, protecting the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, which is also a major source of premature ageing.

Which plant oil should I choose to improve skin texture?

One of the major concerns of mature skin is the loss of texture and the appearance of rough or uneven skin. By promoting cell regeneration, Calophylla oil helps to smooth the skin’s surface. Its action on keratinocytes and fibroblasts accelerates the repair of damaged cells, resulting in more even skin, with a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.

This ability to improve skin texture is particularly valuable for mature skin, where cells take longer to renew themselves, and loss of collagen exacerbates the signs of ageing.

Calophylla oil is also renowned for its healing properties. By stimulating the production of collagen, it helps to repair damaged tissue, whether as a result of wounds, burns or scars caused by skin diseases such as acne or eczema. Its action is particularly effective in reducing scars and stretch marks, common concerns for people with mature skin, by improving the appearance of scar tissue and restoring a more even skin texture.

In vivo studies have shown a significant reduction in the size and depth of scars after regular application of this oil, making it an ideal ingredient for the care of skin marked by skin trauma.

Is Tamanu oil moisturising?

Finally, Calophylla oil is rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic and oleic acid, giving it exceptional moisturising properties. These fatty acids act as emollients, forming a protective barrier on the skin, limiting trans-epidermal water loss and promoting long-lasting hydration.

This deep hydration is crucial for mature skin, which is often prone to cutaneous dryness due to the reduction in sebum production with age. By restoring the skin’s hydrolipidic film, Calophylla oil helps to keep skin suppler, softer and protected from external aggressors.

Source

1. Tamanu oil and skin active properties: from traditional to modern cosmetic uses