The Kukui Nut Chronicles

Kukui nut oil is cold pressed from the nut of the kukui nut tree (Alleurites moluccana). Used traditionally by Hawaiians to protect the skin -- especially baby's skin -- kukui nut oil continues in wide use throughout the Pacific Islands today. Kukui nut oil has excellent slip and feels great on the skin. It leaves a triglyceride barrier which contains a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. When used as a base for lotions, creams, ointments and balms, kukui is very effective in laying down an emollient layer of lipids, allowing the skin to heal naturally and preventing scarring. Create nourishing soaps and shampoos, anti-stress and anti-aging creams, body massage oils, chemo after- care, emollient lip balms and after-sun products. Here are a few ideas to get you going...

Kukui Lip Treat Kukui nut oil provides EFAs and other nutrients to promote healing. Great for use after-sun. White beeswax.....6 grams mango butter..... 11 grams kukui nut oil .....31 grams shea butter.....6 grams glycerin USP.....25 drops 5 drops Vitamin E, natural flavor oil (optional).....30 drops Process: Melt the waxes in a sterile microwave safe bowl for 2 minutes at 50% power. Keep heating in short bursts til waxes are completely melted together. Stir. Add mango and shea butters, kukui nut oil and glycerin. Reheat for a short time (about 30 seconds or so at 50% power) til all is melted together. Stir. Add Vitamin E cap and flavor oil, if using. Stir again. Pour, while hot, into waiting lip balm tins, tubs, pots or tubes. Cool thoroughly before using. Makes approximately 3 oz. of product. Tropical Massage Oil Kukui nut provides nourishment to the skin and good slip! Macadamia and jojoba add stability and are good for you, too! Scent at 3% with ylang ylang essential oil or fragrance oil. 2 parts kukui nut oil 1 part macadamia nut oil 1 part jojoba oil 1 part fractionated coconut oil (optional - use if you want greater "slip") Mix together in a plastic squeeze-type bottle with dispensing cap.

Ho'ola Lotion (Healing Lotion) Excellent for sensitive, delicate or aging skin. Oil Phase Kukui Nut oil 1.5 oz Macadamia Nut oil . 5 oz. Aloe Butter 2 oz. Fractionated Coconut .5 oz. Glyceryl monostearate .25 oz. Polysorbate 20: .5 - 1.0 oz. Natrasorb 100, as needed Essential oils or fragrance (optional) Water Phase Distilled or purified water, 15-20 fluid oz. (depending upon how thick you like it) Wheat gel up to .25 oz. Aloe powder 99 x 1/2 teaspoon methylparaben 1/64th teaspoon (scantest pinch) Prepare the water phase first. Warm the water to 80 degrees F. Dissolve the methylparaben and aloe powder in the water. Add the Wheat gel as required. Warm the oils gently and place in a blender or use a stick blender. While the oils mixing, slowly add the water phase. Mix thoroughly and bottle in sterile containers. Remember to experiment before committing large amounts of oils. Nourishing Kukui Shampoo Kukui offers natural conditioners and leaves hair silky smooth and shiny! Oils: (by weight) Kukui Nut Oil - 10 oz. Castor Bean Oil - 12 oz. Coconut Oil 76 Degree - 8 oz. Water: 11 fluid oz. of distilled or purified water Lye: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (KOH) at 5.9 oz. (by weight) **For step-by-step process information, please refer to our Liquid Soaps and Shampoos page.**