JAKARTA – Palm oil has no benefit for human skin health. That is another myth that is fabricated by certain groups of people. But there is no factual basis for such conclusion as proven by the following facts and description.
Palm oil has been widely used as one of natural sources available in nature to produce oleochemicals. One of the products processed from palm oleochemicals that have been widely used by the global community is biosurfactants, such as personal care products, and toiletries such as soap, detergent, shampoo, skincare, cosmetics and others. Palm biosurfactants can substitute the use of petrochemical-based surfactants from fossil oils, which are relatively not ecofriendly and not renewable (Hambali et al., 2019).
Palm-based biosurfactants applied to soap, detergent and other hygiene products have good dispersion characteristics with good saponification properties, especially in water (Hambali, 2019; Hidayati et al., 2005). The palm biosurfactants can also lower the surface tension of water so that they can act as a cleansing agent that produces a lot of foam and has broad-spectrum microbial properties that are effective in killing bacteria and viruses, and can easily remove dirt while maintaining skin health.
The palm oil and its derivatives are seeing a rising global demand for their use as raw material to produce skincare products. Apparently, it is because palm oil is a natural ingredient that has advantages in terms of safety compared to mineral oil and synthetic components. Such palm-based skincare products are free from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds that are harmful to human skin.
Bioactive compound components such as carotene (vitamin A) and vitamin E in palm oil which are rich in antioxidants also have benefits for skin health and beauty such as moisturizing the skin, accelerating the healing of burns, regenerating the skin, slowing down aging (anti-aging), and others (Longganathan et al., 2010). Other bioactive compounds in palm oil such as squalene and ubiquinone are also one of the compositions that are widely used in skincare products (Sinaga, 2021).
Squalene can provide moisture to the skin, especially for sensitive skin, repair skin damage caused by UV rays, and overcome acne and oily skin. Meanwhile, the use of ubiquinone combined with carotene is also effective in slowing down skin aging such as reducing wrinkles and overcoming inflammation. Even the palmitic acid content in palm oil makes the product safer for use on all skin types because it is non-comedogenic.
The above description has shown that palm oil has been widely and variously applied for production of various toiletries and personal care products (including skincare). The content of bioactive compounds in palm oil adds to the advantages of palm oil-based toiletries and skincare products because they can provide benefits for skin health. Along with the rising consumer awareness on more natural and sustainable products, the use of palm oil in toiletries and skincare products will keep increasing. (*) (Mitos 5-16)
Source: Mitos & Fakta Kelapa Sawit –4th Edition
