| What is it? | A liquid oil pressed from macadamia nuts. |
| Appearance | A golden yellow liquid oil. |
| Texture | Silky smooth. |
| Scent | The unrefined version is slightly nutty, but not overwhelmingly so. The refined stuff doesn’t smell like much at all. |
| Absorbency Speed | Fast |
| Solubility | Oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | Because it absorbs into the skin quickly it’s a great choice for making lightweight lotions that absorb into the skin quickly, and it can help lighten heavier oils like shea butter. |
| Do you need it? | I really like it, but as far as fast-absorbing carrier oils go it is one of the pricier ones. You could get away with grapeseed or safflower oil instead in most applications. Other nut oils, like Sweet Almond Oil or Walnut oil would also work. |
| Refined or unrefined? | I like the unrefined variety for the nutty scent. |
| Strengths | Beautiful, fast-absorbing oil that’s rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. |
| Weaknesses | A pricier carrier oil, and obviously not suitable for those with nut allergies. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | Other fast-absorbing carrier oils like grapeseed and safflower (though you’ll lose the nutty scent). |
| How to Work with It | I love it in lotions, lip balms, and body butters. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, macadamia nut oil should last up to two years. I store mine in my DIY fridge. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | The nutty scent and colour can vary from batch to batch with the unrefined version. |
| Recommended starter amount | 100mL (3.3fl oz) |
| Where to Buy it | Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
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