Baobab oil has been used across West Africa for centuries - long before it became a trending ingredient in luxury skincare. Cold-pressed from the seeds of the Baobab fruit, this golden oil is packed with vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that genuinely work. We source ours directly from Ghana, from communities who have been harvesting and pressing it by hand for generations. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is Baobab Oil?
Baobab oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the Baobab fruit, the tree Ghanaians and many West Africans call the "Tree of Life." It's not just a marketing phrase. Baobab trees live for over 1,000 years, store hundreds of litres of water in their thick trunks, and sustain entire ecosystems around them. The fruit is a genuine superfood: it contains 6x more vitamin C than an orange and 2x the calcium of milk.
The oil cold-pressed from its seeds is something else entirely.
Baobab Oil Benefits for Skin
Baobab oil's fatty acid profile is what sets it apart: roughly 36% oleic acid, 33% linoleic acid, and 28% palmitic acid. This balance closely mirrors the skin's own natural lipid structure, which is why it absorbs so quickly and doesn't sit on the surface feeling greasy.
It also contains:
- Vitamin A — supports cell turnover and helps skin look fresher
- Vitamin D — supports skin immunity and barrier function
- Vitamin E — a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect against UV-related oxidative stress
- Vitamin F (essential fatty acids) — repairs and maintains the skin barrier, reduces dryness and flakiness
The antioxidants in Baobab oil also help neutralise free radicals — the main driver of premature skin ageing caused by sun exposure and pollution.
Most people notice a visible difference in skin texture and softness within 7–10 days of daily use.
Baobab Oil for Face: Will It Clog Your Pores?
This is the question most people ask before trying any face oil. Baobab oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5, which makes it one of the safer face oils even for combination or acne-prone skin.
For comparison:
- Coconut oil: 4/5 (frequently clogs pores)
- Olive oil: 2/5
- Argan oil: 0/5
- Baobab oil: 2/5
It hydrates without occluding pores, absorbs within minutes, and leaves skin feeling soft rather than coated. For dry or sensitive skin, it is particularly effective at reducing flakiness and calming redness.
Baobab Oil vs. Argan Oil vs. Rosehip Oil
All three are popular natural face oils, but they work differently:
| Baobab Oil | Argan Oil | Rosehip Oil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comedogenic rating | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Best for | Dry, sensitive, combination | Oily, acne-prone | Ageing, scarring |
| Key benefit | Barrier repair, deep hydration | Balancing, lightweight | Vitamin A, brightening |
| Absorbs quickly? | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| Scent | Neutral | Very mild nutty | Slightly earthy |
Baobab Oil for Hair
Baobab oil is excellent as a finishing oil on dry or heat-damaged hair ends. Its high oleic acid content penetrates the hair shaft rather than just coating it, which means it actually reduces brittleness rather than simply making hair look temporarily shinier.
Apply 2–3 drops to the lengths and ends of damp hair after washing, or use it as a dry oil treatment on the scalp to reduce flakiness.
How to Use Baobab Oil in Your Skincare Routine
- Cleanse your face as normal
- While skin is still slightly damp, apply 3–4 drops of Baobab oil to your fingertips
- Press gently into skin - don't rub
- Follow with moisturizer if needed, or use Baobab oil as your final step at night
- For body use, apply after showering while skin is still warm and damp — it spreads further and absorbs faster
A little goes a long way. One 50ml bottle lasts most people for months with daily face use.
Why Cold-Pressed Matters
Not all Baobab oil is the same. Cold-pressing preserves the full vitamin and fatty acid content of the seeds. Heat-extracted versions are cheaper to produce, but the heat degrades much of what makes Baobab oil effective — particularly the vitamin E and essential fatty acids.
The Baobab oil we sell at FairTale Ghana is cold-pressed in Ghana by local producers using traditional methods — no solvents, no heat, no shortcuts.
Try It
Our Baobab oil works beautifully on its own or blended into our whipped Shea Butter. Explore our DIY body butter recipes — Baobab oil is a key ingredient in several of them.
Questions about how to use it or what suits your skin type? Get in touch - we are happy to help.
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