Ingredient

Açaí Oil

Benefits

Natural

Euterpe oleracea

Açaí isn’t just for your aesthetically pleasing breakfast bowls; the oil extracted from the fruit pulp is packed with moisturising fatty acids and a whole host of vitamins.

What is açaí?

Açaí oil (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) is obtained from the small, purple fruits of the Euterpe oleracea, a tropical palm tree growing wild in the Amazon rainforest. Brazil is the largest producer, consumer and exporter. Although long cultivated for its wood and to produce a vegetable called "heart of palm," the palm is now primarily grown for its fruit. This results from açaí fruits, or berries, becoming globally recognised as a superfood in the 2000s and açaí bowls turning into a huge trend.

Where does Lush source açaí oil?

Lush UK, Croatia, Japan and Australia* purchase this oil from a supplier based in Brazil called CitroBio. They work toward sustainable development in the Amazon, aiming to preserve the environment while supporting people who depend on nature for their livelihoods. By providing comprehensive technical support, they enable farmers and partner communities to earn a living by harvesting fruits and seeds rather than timber, which inevitably encourages forest preservation.

The oil is produced by families in the north of Brazil, specifically in the Acre and Pará states. CitroBio supports them throughout every stage of production, providing them with all sorts of equipment, including adequate protective workwear and footwear.

Although the açaí palm bears fruit all year round, the harvesters only work during the peak fruiting period, so they don’t impact the feeding of the local fauna too much. In any case, some fruits are deliberately left behind for the regeneration of the species and to feed wild animals. They are collected directly from the palm trees.

*With several manufacturing sites across the globe, information may vary depending on where your Lush products were made.

What are açaí oil's benefits for the skin and hair?

The oil is green in colour, and despite its fruity origins, it has a rather bland smell. But what it lacks in smell, it makes up for in its effects when applied to the skin.

• The oil is an emollient on the skin and is absorbed quickly. 
• Packed with vitamins B and C, these antioxidants protect the skin and help to maintain firmness and brightness. 
• The oil also contains a hydrating combination of omega-3, 5 and 6, some fatty acids that help to soothe and protect the skin, acting as building blocks for collagen production.