When Oils of Heaven (Ooh!) reached out to me asking if I wanted to try a natural oil that I’ve never heard of, I was like “Heck, yes! Give me the oil that I’ve just now heard about but must have in my life ASAP”!
This cacay oil comes from Cacay nuts harvested in the jungles of Colombia¹. Apparently, it’s full of Vitamin E, linolic acid and Vitamin A. This all sounds wonderful if you don’t have a nut allergy. I do not have a nut allergy.
The oil is slightly golden like canola oil. When I did my research, cacay oil appears to be super popular for its beauty benefits. It’s popular because it’s packed with skin-nourishing goodies but it is incredibly lightweight. Because of this, it’s really popular with oilier and acne prone complexions.
Throughout my life I’ve tried so many oils. Thankfully, I come from a family that instilled in to me basically marinate my skin and hair in oils from the day I was born. At this stage of my life, I most definitely know which oils work for me and which don’t. I think all oils are great but some work much better for my needs than others.
Ingredients: 100% Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil
My experience: In comparison to other oils, it’s light-weight. It moisturizes but it does absorb quickly. The texture is what you’d expect from a “lighter” oil. Now it does have an aroma that makes me feel like I’m about to deep-fry something in peanut oil. I’m Southern; this does not bother me. It does fade and I’ve noticed if you’ve mixed this into your moisturizer, the aroma isn’t that noticeable.
I use a few drops to “seal” my skincare in my nighttime routine. My skin has been so dry with the change of seasons and this stuff has really helped. It immediately helps with dryness. After a few weeks, my skin looks dewier without being oily. For my skin type, I really appreciate this as a layering oil. As an independent moisturizer, I think I’d need a richer oil (like apricot kernel or pumpkin seed oil). However, I do think this would be a great moisturizer for me when the weather is warmer and more humid.
I’ve also been using it as a “makeup primer”. It doesn’t make makeup stay on longer and it doesn’t work like putty to fill in my pores, but it does make a great base for my needs. I apply a drop and press in with my fingers. When I apply my cream foundation over it, I’m the perfect amount of dewy. I have no more gross dry patches or the dullness that I’ve been experiencing this winter.
Overall, it’s been a good oil to add to my “marinate yoself” toolbox. I’m surprised that I haven’t seen cacay oil marketed more in the US than it is. Have you tried it before? Thoughts?
The 1 oz bottle retails for £39 at Ooh!
¹I found this Bloomberg article interesting. The beauty industry’s love of cacay oil may be reducing deforestation and the cocaine industry in Colombia.
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I haven’t tried this but I definitely will based on your review. I’ve always avoided oils and oil-based moisturizers because my skin is so amazingly oily, I figured actual oils would just make it worse, buuuuut, I finally caved and tried some argan oil as part of my night time routine, and omg. I’m a convert. I only use a tiny bit, but it smells so nice and makes my skin so smooth. As long as I don’t use too much, it doesn’t contribute breakouts at all.
Y’all oil evangelists were right. Sorry it took me this long to figure it out! 😉
Whoo! So, the other night my husband comes into the room and says, “You were right”. His confession regarding my correctness really caught me off guard. We’re both Tauruses and stubborn as heck. I was like “About everything or just something?” It was about oils. I guess he had been using some of my argan and baobab oils from my stash. He pretty much said exactly what you said. He was skeptical because he’s oily and this made no sense to him. But, after a week he said his skin felt and looked better. Another convert! Whoo!
This oil is nice and I’m actually loving it as a makeup base in the winter. But, it does smell like peanuts which I don’t really notice anymore. But, the other day Frink (one of my dogs) was trying to make out with my face (more than usual) and I finally realized because I smell like one of his treats!
[…] Oils of Heaven Cacay Anti-Aging Facial Oil (deluxe sample) – I really like it but it’s not in the US…yet. Review here. […]
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