8 Topical Kiwi Seed Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair Health

If you’re on the hunt for a moisturizing addition to your skincare or haircare routine, Kiwi Seed Oil is a fantastic, natural choice. This lightweight oil is abundant in nutrient-rich compounds to give your skin and hair the nourishment they deserve. 

What Is Kiwi Seed Oil?

Kiwi Seed Oil is often referred to as the "Chinese kiwifruit" and traces its origins to China, where it has been cultivated for centuries. However, its popularity extends far beyond its place of origin. Today, kiwi is grown worldwide, including in New Zealand, the United States, Greece, France, and numerous other countries. 

This fruit has not only become integral to local economies but has also gained recognition for its amazing nutritional benefits. The kiwi fruit is cherished for its delicious taste and vibrant green flesh, but its tiny black seeds hold a wealth of nutrients and healing potential. 

In China, it has a rich history of use in traditional folk medicine, where it was valued for its ability to prevent bleeding, soothe ulcers, and alleviate indigestion. It is thought to act on the kidney, spleen, and stomach areas.

Nowadays, the focus has shifted towards harnessing the power of kiwi seeds to extract Kiwi Seed Oil. This natural oil has many beneficial compounds, including vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Some of its benefits include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a sought-after ingredient in various industries.

Kiwi Seed Oil is frequently used in the cosmetic industry, where it is included in skincare and haircare formulations for its potential to rejuvenate and nourish the skin and scalp. Its light, non-greasy texture and mild odor make it a preferred choice for those seeking a natural, holistic approach to skincare.

Whether you're looking to add more nourishing products to your routine or simply want to incorporate more natural remedies into your life, Kiwi Seed Oil offers a holistic and natural solution that boasts tons of therapeutic properties.

8 Benefits of Kiwi Seed Oil

With its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Kiwi Seed Oil is the ideal addition to any skincare or haircare routine. 

Below are 8 topical benefits of Kiwi Seed Oil for your skin and hair. 

1. Actinidin May Treat Wounds

Proteolytic enzymes are types of compounds that break down proteins into smaller components or monomers known as amino acids. Actinidin is a type of proteolytic enzyme found in Kiwi Seed Oil that may have powerful wound-healing effects. 

When the skin sustains injuries, it often results in damage to connective tissues, cells, and proteins. During the natural process of wound healing, a number of substances rush to the site to begin the healing process. These substances include molecules like growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Proteolytic enzymes may contribute to this healing process by breaking down damaged proteins and other foreign materials so that new tissue can be formed. This may lead to wound closure without major complications. 

Specifically, actinidin has been shown to treat different types of wounds when applied topically to the skin. In one scientific study, extracts from the kiwi fruit containing actinidin were topically applied to foot ulcers in diabetic patients for a duration of 21 days. 

Following treatment, researchers found that there was a significant increase in collagen production, tissue regeneration, and the formation of new blood vessels. 

In another study, patients with bedsores were treated with kiwi fruit extracts containing actinidin. The results revealed that the wounds exhibited significant reductions in size after treatment, suggesting that actinidin may promote healing of these inflamed areas by dissolving specific proteins and potentially through their antibacterial properties. 

These studies suggest that topical application of Kiwi Seed Oil that contains actinidin may improve minor skin irritations or small wounds by promoting new tissue formation. 

2. Linoleic Acid Content May Moisturize Skin and Hair

Linoleic acid, present in Kiwi Seed Oil, is one type of essential fatty acid that plays a large role in maintaining the health and integrity of the skin barrier. It is one of the most abundant fatty acids found in the skin, having a significant effect on the proper function of the stratum corneum, otherwise known as the outermost layer of the skin.

This fatty acid has numerous pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory effects, which may come in handy when treating inflammatory skin issues such as atopic dermatitis, acne, and psoriasis. 

Topical application of linoleic acid to the skin may lead to the growth of new skin cells and lipid synthesis. Both of these mechanisms play a role in skin barrier repair, potentially leading to softer, more resilient skin.

Interestingly, patients suffering from acne were found to have a decreased percentage of linoleic acid in their sebum. This may lead to an increase in the size and thickness of the outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, which may play a role in acne formation. This suggests that topical application of linoleic acid may potentially alleviate inflammation associated with acne.

Overall, these beneficial effects can have implications for both skincare and haircare. Linoleic acid may act as a natural moisturizer, helping to lock in hydration and prevent water loss from the skin. This moisture-retaining capability can result in skin that feels supple, soft, and well-hydrated.

In addition, by incorporating linoleic acid-rich products like Kiwi Seed Oil into your hair routine, you may be able to maintain the health of the scalp, potentially reducing issues like dandruff and itchiness. It may also support hair's overall moisture balance, contributing to shinier, more manageable hair.

3. Polysaccharides in Kiwi Seed Oil May Stimulate Collagen Production

Polysaccharides are natural components known as complex carbohydrates. They are made up of a variety of simple sugars known as monosaccharides and are found in both animal and plant extracts, including Kiwi Seed Oil. 

These incredible compounds have powerful therapeutic benefits for the skin, including possible anti-aging effects and antioxidant properties. They may even promote the growth of new skin cells and protect the function of the skin barrier, enabling it to be more resilient against external stressors like pollution.

Polysaccharides are useful in cosmetic formulations as they can act as emulsifiers, thickeners, and stabilizers. They can effectively combine ingredients together to form a well-mixed solution, improve the texture of formulations, and also ensure that the structure of products is preserved.

One notable attribute of polysaccharides is that they are highly hydrophilic, which means that they attract and retain water in the skin. When polysaccharides are applied topically to the skin, it may lead to more plump and hydrated skin, regulate water content, and improve the health of your skin barrier.

In one study, polysaccharides were extracted from the kiwi fruit and added to skin cells in a laboratory setting. The researchers found that the polysaccharides led to the growth of skin cells. In addition, treatment with the polysaccharide extracts doubled collagen synthesis of the fibroblast cells, which are cells that secrete collagen proteins. 

This has huge implications in anti-aging, as collagen is an important protein that supports the firmness and elasticity of the skin. Adding Kiwi Seed Oil into your skincare routine may promote collagen production, leading to a healthier, more youthful complexion. 

4. Polyphenols Potentially Reduce Skin Inflammation

Polyphenolic compounds are substances most often found in fruits, vegetables, and cereals. 

In the seeds of the kiwi fruit, there is an abundance of polyphenols, each with therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. The types of phenolic compounds found in the kiwi seed include p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and p-coumaric acid.

Each of these compounds may alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory skin conditions, including erythema, swelling, irritation, and sensitivity. 

In particular, both p-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. They exhibit neuroprotective properties in which they may protect nerve cells from oxidative damage. 

These compounds have also displayed anti-inflammatory effects in lab settings by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory molecules like interleukin-1β (IL-1β). This is especially important when it comes to inflammatory skin conditions like acne, as the expression of IL-1β is associated with acne pathogenesis. 

In addition, p-coumaric acid reduces the levels of inflammatory factors in the skin, namely a substance called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).In rosacea, a condition accompanied by skin redness and possibly rashes, TNF-α is a significant factor that contributes to the redness associated with this condition. 

Many of the treatments for rosacea involve drugs that impair the secretion of both IL-1β and TNF-α. Since Kiwi Seed Oil is a natural source of polyphenols that may function to reduce these inflammatory factors, there is a possibility that this oil could alleviate the redness associated with both acne and rosacea. 

And with its natural origins and lightweight texture, Kiwi Seed Oil may not have the side effects associated with common treatments for these inflammatory skin conditions. 

5. Kiwi Seed Oil’s Vitamin C Content May Brighten Skin

Kiwi Seed Oil is a great source of vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that can be found naturally in plants. This vitamin is required in many biological mechanisms in the body, including the production of collagen, which is essential in the formation of connective tissue of the skin. It also has a critical role in tissue repair in your body and is involved in the metabolism of certain proteins. 

In addition to its collagen-stimulating activity, vitamin C boasts fantastic benefits for brightening the skin. It works by reducing the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme, which plays a large role in melanin synthesis. 

Melanin is a type of natural pigment found in your skin. Unfortunately, too much of this pigment can lead to hyperpigmented spots on the skin, also known as dark spots or age spots. By applying vitamin C to the surface of the skin, it may be a promising treatment for hyperpigmentation, leading to a more even-toned complexion. 

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, providing protection for the skin against the negative effects of UV rays from the sun. This may be beneficial as topical application of vitamin C could prevent the effects of photoaging, which include age spots, dehydration, fine lines, and an overall dull complexion. 

By adding a vitamin C-rich oil into your routine like Kiwi Seed Oil, you could possibly safeguard your skin against environmental stressors, brighten the skin tone, and prevent age spots from forming. 

6. Triterpenes May Improve the Appearance of Scars

Triterpenes are naturally large compounds found in a wide range of plants, including the kiwi plant. They have many pharmacological properties, most notably antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making them an ingredient of interest in many skincare products. 

Triterpenes encompass an array of compounds, including betuline, lupeol, and erythrodial. These are naturally occurring triterpenes that have shown potent anti-inflammatory activities and the potential to improve skin barrier recovery when applied topically. These skin-nourishing effects may be beneficial when it comes to wound healing and scar formation.

In one scientific study, triterpenes extracts were added to a topical gel formulation and used to treat wounds. The results revealed that topical application of the treatment led to re-epithelialization (the growth of new skin) around the wound, leading to accelerated wound closure. 

This caused the scars left over by the wound to be relatively discrete, suggesting that the faster healing process led to better scar formation. This has implications for cosmetic products as the addition of triterpenes to lotions or gels could accelerate the healing of minor skin irritation or blemishes that could lead to the formation of scar tissue. 

By adding Kiwi Seed Oil to your routine, you may be able to harness the benefits of its naturally occurring triterpene content to soothe blemishes, accelerate the healing of minor irritations, and reduce the severity of scars.

7. Amino Acids Could Promote Overall Skin Health

You’ve likely heard of amino acids before, especially in certain types of food products or in skincare and haircare formulations. Specifically, these substances are the building blocks of proteins. They are also known as the monomers of proteins. 

Amino acids are naturally found in plants like the kiwi plant as well as in animals. They play an integral role in the formation of hormones, neurotransmitters, and other compounds in the body. 

When it comes to skin health, amino acids are especially important in the formation of fibrous proteins like keratins, collagen, and elastin in the skin. These are compounds that help to maintain the structural integrity of the skin barrier and also improve the overall appearance of the skin. 

For example, having an abundant amount of collagen and elastin leads to firm, plump, and hydrated-looking skin. Conversely, the degradation of collagen and elastin can lead to sagging and wrinkled skin. This degradation of collagen largely occurs due to prolonged and unprotected exposure to environmental stressors like UV rays from the sun. 

Amino acids are incredibly important nutrients in the maintenance and repair of damaged skin, protection against cellular damage, as well as water retention in the skin. When applied topically, amino acids may improve the look of the skin, keeping it youthful and radiant. 

Now, there are many types of amino acids. For collagen production, the amino acids proline and glycine are especially important, while other amino acids may be important for other structures in the skin. 

While more research is needed to understand the types of amino acids present in Kiwi Seed Oil and how they may affect the skin, it is worth adding this nutrient-dense oil to your skincare routine. 

With topical application of Kiwi Seed Oil, you may be able to reap the benefits of the amino acids present, possibly leading to hydrated, supple skin.

8. Antioxidant Properties of Kiwi Seed Oil May Have Anti-Aging Effects

Antioxidant compounds encompass multiple substances, including polyphenols, triterpenes, vitamins, flavonoids, and more. All of these wonderful compounds are present in the kiwi fruit, producing a nutrient-rich Kiwi Seed Oil extract. 

Research into antioxidants has highlighted their potential to significantly impact the aging process of the skin. Countless studies have shown promising results, suggesting that antioxidants may be a key player in the quest for youthful, radiant skin.

One of the primary mechanisms through which antioxidants exert their anti-aging effects is by shielding the skin from the harmful consequences of photoaging. When applied topically, these antioxidants act as scavengers, seeking out and neutralizing free radicals generated by environmental stressors like the powerful UV rays emitted by the sun.

To clarify, the term "scavenge" in this context refers to the antioxidants' ability to prevent or remove these harmful molecules from creating reactive oxygen species (highly reactive chemicals) before they cause damage to the skin. This damage can include hyperpigmentation, which results in uneven skin tone, as well as sagging, wrinkles, fine lines, and a generally lackluster complexion. 

Incorporating antioxidant-rich compounds such as Kiwi Seed Oil into your daily skincare regimen can be a proactive approach to maintaining healthier, more resilient skin in the face of various environmental factors. This proactive defense may not only mitigate the risk of wrinkles but also help keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant, making it a valuable addition to your anti-aging skincare routine. 

Achieve Radiant Skin and Luscious Hair With Kiwi Seed Oil

Kiwi Seed Oil can be a wonderful addition to your skincare and haircare routine. Our Kiwi Seed Oil at Wholesale Botanics is cold-pressed to preserve its mineral and vitamin content. We perform frequent quality checks at every step of the manufacturing process to ensure the oil retains its color and unique aroma of kiwi.

You can use Kiwi Seed Oil as a replacement for your regular moisturizer to potentially achieve healthier and more radiant skin. For glossy and revitalized hair, simply apply 3 to 5 drops of the oil to the lengths of your hair as a hair mask before shampooing. 

With its easy application, Kiwi Seed Oil makes it simple to work towards your skin and hair goals, helping you look and feel your best.