Every year, a new mostly botanical oil surfaces as something that will do wonders for dry skin. Argan, coconut, almond, olive, and vitamin E are in the top of the large and ever growing list.
However, in a recent article by The Telegraph, it's been recommended that the latest cure for scaly, lizard-like skin just might be sourced from a lizard itself. And as the temperature starts to drop this fall, you'll quite possibly turn to just about anything to keep your skin from turning crepe-y as a result of the upcoming moisture-sucking frigid weather. In that case, here's everything you need to know about the peculiar beauty ingredient.
According to California based dermatologist and author of Asian Beauty Secrets, Marie Jhin, MD, Crocodile oil is extracted from crocodile fat, which contains linoleic acid and omega fatty acids, ingredients that have been used to treat eczema and psoriasis.
But If you're one of those people who find themselves crying for the crocodiles, then maybe this product is not for you. However, people should know that brands like Repcillin from South Africa which manufactures Nile crocodile oil, work with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) making sure that the animals they are sourcing the oil from are not nearing extinction.
A New York City-based dermatologist Richard Mizuguchi, M.D. of Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, explained that brands like Repcillin describe their products as being humanely derived, there are many crocodile meat farms in South America and Africa that throwaway unwanted byproducts of their butchery. The fat is collected and processed into various components of moisturizers and soaps by these companies.
Why should you consider it?
Dr, Mizuguchi said that for thousands of years, humans have been using animal fat to make skin products and soaps. Dr. Jhin agrees citing that donkey or horse oil is used in the wildly popular K-beauty market. She explained that it contains a lot of vitamins, which can have antioxidative properties. Dr. Mizuguchi also stated that crocodile oil contains more beneficial ingredients for human skin than other animal-based products or even coconut oil. Long chain fatty acids, omega 3s, and antioxidants that are not usually found in mammals, are very rich in crocodiles.
