Amla oil has been one of the best-kept secrets in modern beauty and wellness offerings… until now.
I came upon this oil when I was developing my face and body oil during which time I tested countless oils for their efficacy and skin feel. Time and time again amla oil yielded superior visible results almost instantly. My skin looked smoother, firmer, brighter, and even exfoliated. Turns out, these are the exact properties attributed to amla oil.
The Origins of Amla Oil
Amla oil is an extract of the Indian Gooseberry, a fruit no bigger than a golf ball. As its common name suggests, it’s native to India. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions, wild and cultivated including Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, SE Asia, China, and Malaysia. The berries are capsular, smooth, and light to medium green in color.
As early as 1500 BC, amla was known for its medicinal properties in Ayurvedic medicine.
In Theravada Buddhism the tree from which the fruit grows is regarded as the sacred embodiment of Mother Earth and is looked to as the tree of enlightenment.
What are the Properties of Amla Oil?
Amla is rich in antioxidants and contains high amounts of vitamin C and tannins which simultaneously brighten, soften, and improve overall skin quality while tightening pores and having a firming effect.
The pulpy portion of the fruit is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. The fruit tissue contains an ascorbic acid concentration 160 times that of apples. Vitamin C fights damage-causing free radicals and is essential in collagen production.
It’s also unique from other oils due to its high tannin content and phytochemicals such as furosin, gallic acid, corilagin, and quercetin. The tannins in amla have a more stable—and more potent—antioxidative effect than that of the Vitamin C.
Amla oil can be used to lock in moisture, cleanse, and tone the skin in a way unlike any other oil I’ve tried. Amla oil is in my formulas for Align Ultimate Face Oil, Manifest Nourishing Body Oil, and Maitri Charcoal & Amla Oil Soap. Both Align and Manifest work on dry skin as a leave-on or before bathing as a more intensive treatment.
When using products with amla oil, you'll instantly notice the texture is richer with a medium weight. What you should notice most, though, is the effect on skin. In addition to skin looking more nourished, you might notice a smoother effect due to the tannins.
Amla oil is delightful when layered with others like avocado (which provides moisture while promoting soft and supple skin) and almond oil (which contains antioxidants and vitamin E and locks in moisture with its emollient properties.) It is precisely because of how well this unique combination of oils works together that I formulated Provision’s Triple-A Complex, a proprietary blend of these three oils.
Amla Oil Soap
Because of the incomparable properties of the Indian gooseberry, I decided to feature amla oil in my Maitri-fragranced charcoal bar soap. One of the benefits of using amla in this unique vetiver and mandarin scented soap is that its tannins help to leave the skin tonified and smooth.
Maitri Charcoal & Amla Oil Bath Soap has become my favorite every day product. I love everything about it… from its rich, luxurious lather and how my skin feels afterward to the way the bar fits perfectly in my hand.
Face and Body Oil Pro Tip:
Here are my favorite Provision Pro Tips for a simple, yet luxurious ritual that does wonders for your skin:
Manifest Body Oil intensive treatment ritual:
I’ve seen the best results using the product this way. Ideally you would exfoliate skin by “dry brushing” or using a loofah on dry skin. Then apply a liberal amount of Manifest and allow it to soak in for 10-15 minutes. This is the perfect time to do other “beauty rituals” (filing nails, plucking eyebrows, deep conditioning hair, applying a face mask) or simply relaxing on a towel meditating. Then sink into a warm bath or shower, taking care to avoid using soap on treatment areas. Your skin will look and feel amazing afterwards! I do this once a week and no longer need to apply lotion to arms and legs on a regular basis.
Learn more about dry brushing here.
Align Ultimate Face Oil treatment ritual:
I’ve been experimenting with various oils and combinations of oils for years. The result from amla oil is immediate and impressive. For best results, massage 2-3 pumps onto dry skin-- face, neck, and décolleté, avoiding eye area. Massage into skin as you think about your day, taking this time to relax your mind, let go of any worries, and enjoy the rich creamy scent of sandalwood. Allow to soak in for 5-10 minutes. Then take a warm, damp washcloth and place over face, taking one more breath of the warm sandalwood essences, and gently wipe excess oil from your face. You’ll be left with skin that is soft, supple, bouncy, and smooth.
Learn more about the sandalwood used in our products here.