What is Pequi Oil? Brazil's Top Beauty Secret
Pequi oil is the Brazilian beauty secret for glowing skin and shiny hair.
Pequi oil, otherwise known as piqui oil, is a fatty vegetable oil with numerous skin and hair benefits. Traditionally, it’s used in Brazilian cuisine but in recent years, beauty brands are infusing this nutrient-rich oil into skin and haircare products thanks to its hydrating properties.
Ahead, you’ll hear what pequi oil is, how it works, and why you need it in your skincare routine.
Shop Pequi Oil Skincare
Key Ingredients: Pequi Oil, Vitamin C, Cherry | Scent: Black Cherry & Jasmine
Powered by pequi oil, cherry, and vitamin C, this luxury body oil brightens and hydrates, leaving your skin soft, radiant, and shimmering.
· Instant radiant shimmer
∙ All day dewy hydration
∙ Fights free radicals and signs of aging
∙ Juicy black cherry scent
What is Pequi Oil?
Pequi oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the Caryocar brasiliense fruit, a tree native to Brazil. Rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and palmitic acids, pequi oil is deeply nourishing and highly moisturizing. It’s also packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A and E, making it a prized ingredient in both skincare and haircare.
Pequi oil is extracted using a cold-pressing method that preserves its rich fatty acids and antioxidants. This high-quality extraction ensures the oil remains potent and free from harmful solvents or additives.
What are the Pequi Oil Benefits for Skin?
Pequi fruit oil (caryocar brasiliense fruit oil) is a skin-loving lipid that offers a multitude of benefits for the skin. Here are all the skincare benefits for pequi oil.
Pequi Oil Hydrates and Conditions Skin
Pequi oil deeply hydrates the skin by locking in moisture and preventing transepidermal water loss. Rich in fatty acids like oleic and stearic acid, it creates a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that helps keep it soft, smooth, and nourished.
Its lightweight texture sinks in easily, delivering lasting hydration without feeling greasy. Perfect for dry or dehydrated skin, pequi oil helps restore moisture and leaves your skin feeling supple and refreshed.
Pequi Oil Slows Down Photoaging
Oxidative stress can lead to an accelerate of skin against as well as increasing your risk of hyperpigmentation. Packed with antioxidants, pequi oil boasts photoprotective properties that can neutralize free radicals to keep skin looking youthful.
Pequi oil also contains beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient supports skin cell turnover and helps maintain a healthy, even complexion. With regular use, pequi oil can reduce the visible effects of sun damage, improve skin texture, and restore a brighter, more youthful complexion.
Pequi Oil Brightens and Evens Skin Tone
Pequi oil is rich in vitamin C, a powerhouse antioxidant known for its ability to brighten the skin and fade dark spots. It helps inhibit melanin production, which can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and support a more even skin tone.
Combined with other antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin E, pequi oil defends against environmental damage while boosting skin clarity. It also supports healthy cell renewal, helping to smooth texture and restore a natural glow. With regular use, pequi oil can visibly brighten dull skin and even out tone.
Pequi Oil Soothes and Heals Skin
Pequi oil may help heal minor cuts, scars, and stretch marks thanks to its rich blend of oleic acid and other unsaturated fatty acids. Oleic acid supports collagen III production, which plays a key role in repairing skin after injury. These fatty acids also stimulate cell growth and the formation of new blood vessels—both essential for wound healing.
In addition, pequi oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness, creating an ideal environment for repair. In one study, injured rats treated with pequi oil showed significantly faster wound healing than untreated rats. While more research is needed to confirm its effects in humans, early results are encouraging.
What Are the Pequi Oil Hair Benefits?
Pequi oil is a natural treasure from the Brazilian Cerrado and Amazon, packed with nutrients that do wonders for your hair. From fighting frizz to soothing your scalp, this cold-pressed oil brings powerful hydration and protection—making it a must-have for healthy, shiny strands. You’ll find pequi oil in conditioners, hair oils, and other personal care products.
Pequi Oil Fights Frizz and Adds Shine
Pequi oil smooths the hair cuticle and tames frizz with its rich emollient properties. It deeply moisturizes without weighing hair down, leaving strands silky, glossy, and soft to the touch.
Pequi Oil Boosts Hair Elasticity and Strength
Thanks to bioactive compounds like carotenoids and linoleic acid, pequi oil nourishes hair strands and improves elasticity. This helps reduce breakage and keeps hair resilient, especially for dry, curly, or damaged hair types.
Pequi Oil Soothes and Heals the Scalp
With natural anti-inflammatory effects, pequi oil calms irritation and dryness. It can help ease scalp conditions like eczema, promoting a healthier environment for stronger hair growth.
How to Use Pequi Oil for Hair
As a Leave-In Treatment: Apply a few drops to damp hair, focusing on ends and frizzy areas for smoothness and shine.
Pre-Shampoo Hair Mask: Massage generous amounts into your scalp and hair, leave on for 20-30 minutes, then wash out for deep hydration.
Daily Scalp Care: Gently massage a small amount into the scalp to soothe irritation and support healthy hair growth.
Add to Your Conditioner or Hair Oil: Mix a few drops of pequi oil into your favorite hair care products to boost their moisturizing and protective effects.
Are There Any Side Effects of Pequi Oil?
Pequi oil is a natural ingredient that’s generally safe for topical use, but some people with sensitive skin might experience mild irritation or allergic reactions. It’s a good idea to do a patch test before using it widely. If you’re pregnant, nursing, or have health concerns, consult your doctor before use. Overall, pequi oil is well-tolerated when used properly.
With its high fatty acid composition and rich antioxidant profile, pequi oil can work wonders for your skin and hair. Where to shop pequi oil in 2025? You’ll find it in our brand new Cherry Baby Body Oil. A luxurious formulation with a high concentration of pequi oil for your most radiant skin yet.
