Many people adopt a carnivore diet to alleviate autoimmune symptoms, digestive issues, brain fog, and more. It is an elimination diet taken to the extreme. By removing all plant matter, it eliminates common allergens and antinutrients found in plants that can cause inflammation or other issues in sensitive individuals.
However, some people are concerned about missing out on beneficial plant compounds for skin health on an all-meat diet. This leads to the main question: Can you use ostrich oil for skin care benefits while following a strict carnivore diet?
The short answer is yes, ostrich oil is generally considered carnivore-friendly. Let's discuss why ostrich oil is allowed, its evidence-based skin benefits, and how to use it for your skincare routine on a carnivore diet.
Ostrich Oil Provides Key Ingredients for Skin Health
Ostrich oil, rendered from the fat of the flightless bird native to Africa, contains compounds that make it ideal for nourishing skin on a meat-based diet.
1. Deeply moisturizing
Ostrich oil is rich in fatty acids like oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6). It mimics our skin's natural oils more closely than plant oils. It penetrates deeply to hydrate skin without leaving a greasy residue.
2. Soothes skin
The omega fatty acids help maintain the skin's lipid barrier. This prevents moisture loss. Ostrich oil is also high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps soothe irritation, inflammation, and sensitivity.
3. Anti-aging effects
As an emollient oil, ostrich oil fills in fine lines and makes skin look plumper. Its antioxidants also protect against free radicals that accelerate aging. This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and maintains a youthful glow.
4. Non-comedogenic
Some oils clog pores and provoke breakouts. But ostrich oil doesn’t sit heavily on the skin. It gets absorbed without blocking pores, making it suitable for acne-prone skin.
5. Protects from UV damage
Omega fatty acids help reinforce the skin’s natural barrier. Ostrich oil forms a protective film on the skin that acts as a mild sunscreen. It shields against some UV damage that causes sun spots and ages skin.
6. Improves skin elasticity
Ostrich oil boosts collagen production and improves skin’s elasticity. This helps minimize stretch marks from pregnancy or weight changes. It also plumps up sagging skin and wrinkles.
With all these rejuvenating properties, it’s easy to see why ostrich oil is called “liquid gold” for skin care.
Why Ostrich Oil is Carnivore-Compliant
The carnivore diet aims to eliminate all foods except animal products. Some variations may allow small amounts of spices, vinegar, or unprocessed honey. But any oil, food, or supplement derived from plants is not permitted.
This is because plants contain antinutrients like lectins, oxalates, and phytic acid that can irritate the gut lining. Many plant compounds are also high in histamine. The carnivore diet works by removing these potentially irritating agents.
Ostrich oil comes from ostriches – flightless birds native to Africa. It is rendered from subcutaneous and intramuscular fat. So unlike plant oils, it does not contain antinutrients or plant compounds that could provoke a reaction.
That makes ostrich oil compatible with a carnivore lifestyle. Other animal-based oils like beef tallow, duck fat, or lard are also acceptable. Sticking with animal fats and avoiding plant oils is key for skin health on a carnivore diet.
How to Use Ostrich Oil for Skin on a Carnivore Diet?
Ostrich oil is very simple to incorporate into your beauty regimen while following a strict carnivore diet:
- Facial moisturizer: Apply a few drops of ostrich oil as a nourishing facial moisturizer after cleansing in the morning and night. Mix in a vitamin C serum underneath for added brightening.
- All-over body moisturizer: Smooth ostrich oil onto damp skin post-shower for hydrated, radiant skin from head to toe. Focus on dry areas like knees, elbows, and heels.
- Lip balm: Dab a drop of ostrich oil onto your lips for an ultra-hydrating lip treatment. Makes chapped lips smooth and supple.
- Eye cream: Gently pat ostrich oil around the thin, delicate eye area to tackle the crow's feet, dark circles, and puffiness.
- Cuticle/nail treatment: Condition dry, cracked cuticles and nails by massaging in ostrich oil onto nails and cuticles. The fatty acids will deeply moisturize.
- Shaving oil: Use ostrich oil as a nourishing, protective shaving oil for silky smooth skin post-shave. Helps prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
- Hair mask: Warm a tablespoon of ostrich oil and work through dry hair. Put on a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes before washing out for soft, nourished locks.
- Post-sun exposure: Apply ostrich oil to exposed areas after sun exposure to replenish moisture, reduce redness, and calm irritation.
- Stretch mark cream: Use ostrich oil religiously during and after pregnancy to improve skin elasticity and prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
With so many uses, ostrich oil is a simple, multitasking product to add to your minimalist carnivore skin care regimen. Always do a patch test before applying ostrich oil to your face to rule out any unlikely sensitivities.
The Takeaway: Ostrich Oil for Skin on Carnivore
I hope this article convinced you that ostrich oil can be a fabulous addition to your skin care regimen on the carnivore diet. Harnessing only animal-derived ingredients, it provides fatty acids, antioxidants, and deep moisture. This nourishing oil can target various skin concerns, from acne to aging.
Do you follow the carnivore diet? Have you tried using ostrich oil on your skin? Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!