NEEM oil is a good natural pesticide for backyard gardeners, and it has also been creeping into cosmetic products. If you check the ingredients in some of your favourite beauty products you’ll probably see that components of neem oil are in your cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos, and that’s because it’s an excellent beauty aid.

Aesthetician Nicola Meredith says pure, cold-pressed neem oil provides numerous beauty and health benefits and, used correctly, will help your hair and skin restore moisture and remain soft.

“Neem seed oil — ensure that you’re getting the organic type — is great for dry skin and locking in moisture. This oil is very rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and Vitamin E, and that makes it the perfect nourishing agent for your skin, hair, and nails,” she said.

Neem seed oil has a very strong, nutty, almost garlicky scent, and is made by pressing the seeds of the neem tree, the Azadirachta indica, which is native to India. It has been used in medicine for centuries and is very popular as a natural pesticide as the smell chases away pests.

“We’ve found that it has other uses, too, and if you use it everyday it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and ageing,” Meredith said. “It’s also great as a massage oil, and many people use it in soaps that target skin blemishes.”

She pointed to a 2017 study titled ‘Topical Application of Neem Leaves Prevents Wrinkles Formation in UVB-Exposed Hairless Mice’ that was published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. It found that neem, which has been used in India for the treatment of skin problems for centuries, was promising in anti-ageing therapy.

The study found that topical application of neem leaf to hairless mice treated the symptoms of skin ageing, such as wrinkles, dryness, water loss, redness, and irritation.

“Neem oil is perfect if you have issues like hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, or issues like eczema and other dry skin conditions,” Meredith said. “It also helps with hair growth and nail growth.”

She said if the smell of neem oil is unpleasant to you, you can add a carrier oil, like coconut oil, or an essential oil, such as lavender or rosemary, to mask the smell.

“The benefits outweigh any reservations you may have because organic neem oil is rich in Vitamin E that helps promote collagen production and combats wrinkles in women,” Meredith said. “If you struggle with acne this oil is so healing and nourishing for your skin that you’ll be amazed. It will relieve discomfort from any skin irritation, and even treat and prevent diaper rash in babies. Neem oil is one of those cure-alls that you should really have in your medicine cabinet year round.”