The properties of pequi oil for hair?

When applied to hair, the piqui oil is primarily used in the form of an oil bath, with the aim to nourish, hydrate and protect the hair. Rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid naturally present in sebum, it works to strengthen the hydrolipidic film that naturally coats the hair fibres. Subjected to various daily aggressions, such as vigorous brushing or the use of a too-hot hairdryer, this film becomes fragile. To restore it, it is beneficial to regularly apply a hair oil or vegetable oil like piqui oil to your hair.

Furthermore, pequi oil contains palmitic acid, a fatty acid capable of integrating into the hair fibre through biomimicry to act as an intercellular cement. This molecule indeed has a structure similar to the lipids that make up the cuticle, the outermost layer of hair. By improving the cohesion of the cuticle cells, pequi oil ensures the impermeability of the inner layers of the hair and maintains their suppleness, elasticity and shine. It is particularly beneficial for dry or weakened hair and offers a natural solution for dull hair tips.

The moisturising and softening properties of piqui oil also make it very popular among individuals with textured hair who are seeking natural solutions to define their curls. Indeed, by reforming the hair's natural lipid barrier, this vegetable oil helps to retain moisture within the fibres, making the hair less prone to frizz. Furthermore, by improving the elasticity of the hair fibres, piqui oil makes them more resilient. This increased elasticity allows curls to regain their natural shape after being stretched or manipulated, contributing to better definition and a more dynamic appearance.

Tip : To redefine your curls using pequi oil, we recommend you start by lightly dampening your ends. Then take a few drops of oil and distribute them throughout your hair. Finally, use the "scrunching" technique, which involves gently squeezing your curls with your hands and moving upwards towards the scalp.

Feelings of tightness, itching, frequent flaking... These are the main signs of a dry or irritated scalp . To remedy this, it may be beneficial to apply a few drops of pequi oil and gently massage your scalp, to help the oil penetrate, before shampooing within the following hour. Indeed, in addition to its moisturising properties, this ingredient acts on various parameters of inflammation to regulate them downwards, thus helping to soothe the skin.

Through its fatty acids, piqui oil is capable ofinhibiting the synthesis of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and interleukins 1β and 6 (IL-1β and IL-6). This vegetable oil can also act on the cellular signalling pathway mediated by Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR-4). Expressed on the membrane of immune system cells, these stimulate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to initiate the genetic transcription of several pro-inflammatory mediators. Finally, it has been shown that the linoleic acid in piqui oil can suppress the activities of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2), enzymes catalysing the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins.

Rich in tocopherols and carotenoids, antioxidants, thepiqui oil protects the hair from oxidative stress. To remind, oxidative stress refers to a situation of imbalance within the body's cells where the number of free radicals greatly exceeds the number of antioxidants. Free radicals are naturally created during cellular metabolism but an excess can be generated during exposure to UV rays, pollution or tobacco.

Several studies have shown that oxidative stress is harmful to the scalp and hair, and can promote the onset of white hair and hair loss. By altering the visco-elastic properties of the fibres, free radicals can also accelerate the formation of split ends. To protect the hair from these various harmful effects, it may be beneficial to regularly apply piqui oil, which is rich in antioxidants.

Pequi oil is finally attributed with antibacterial properties, useful for keeping the populations of microorganisms on the scalp under control. These properties are believed to come from its fatty acids and their detergent effects. Indeed, these compounds can solubilise lipids and proteins from the bacterial membrane, thereby causing a rupture of structures, which affects the essential metabolic processes for obtaining energy for the bacteria and compromises its ability to absorb nutrients.

The antibacterial properties of piqui oil have been demonstrated in a study conducted with several bacterial cultures. Among the various pathogens tested, we can notably mention Staphylococcus aureus, found in skin cells. Scientists measured a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.25%. This value corresponds to the lowest concentration of pequi oil capable of inhibiting the growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Although further research is needed to confirm this, it can be cautiously assumed that the sanitising effect of piqui oil extends to other microorganisms inhabiting the scalp, and potentially to the fungus Malassezia, involved in the occurrence of dandruff.

• CAMPOS A. & al. Healing potential of Pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.) fruit pulp oil. Phytochemistry Letters (2009).

• COUTINHO H. & al. Antibacterial Properties of Pequi Pulp Oil (Caryocar coriaceum – WITTM.). International Journal of Food Properties (2009).

• MAXIEL GUEDES A. M. & al. Pequi: a Brazilian fruit with potential uses for the fat industry. OCL (2017).

• JOANITTI G. A. & al. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pequi Oil (Caryocar brasiliense): A Systematic Review. Pharmaceuticals (2024).