- Choline: an essential nutrient for public health - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19906248)
- Influence of hazelnut oil phospholipids on the skin moisturizing effect of a cosmetic emulsion - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19291034)
What is Egg Oil?
Egg oil or egg yolk oil is extracted from the yolk of chicken eggs. The main constituents of this oil are triglycerides of oleic acid, Palmitic acid and Linoleic acid. The oil is extracted by one of two methods- heat extraction and liquid extraction using a solvent such as hexane.
Solvent extraction preserves immunoglobulins, which are destroyed by the higher temperatures of the heat extraction method. With the heat extraction method, 50 egg yolks provide just 5 ounces of oil which is why egg oil is very expensive. Alternatively, you can learn how to make egg oil for hair or skin care at home but it is a time consuming method and requires a considerable amount of patience.
Nutritional Benefits of Egg
Protein: Eggs are one of the best sources of high quality protein. When a source of protein contains all the amino acids according to general human requirement, the food is said to have a high biological value (HBV). Eggs contain the complete range of amino acids that our bodies require and so they are used as the reference standard for food protein, which is why an egg scores 100% on the high biological value (HBV) protein chart. Eggs are considered an essential for those who are involved in vigorous physical work or muscle building.
Vitamins: Eggs are a good source of vitamins. Two medium-sized eggs provide 19% of a person’s daily requirement of Vitamin A, 15 % of Vitamin D, 7 % of Vitamin E and 60% of Choline. Choline has gained recognition in recent years as an extremely important essential nutrient as it has a wide range of roles in human metabolism. However, choline deficiency has become a serious public health issue that might affect up to 90% of the population. Even a mild case of Choline deficiency can cause memory problems, lack of energy and difficulties focusing. Eggs also contain all the B vitamins including Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin, and folic acid.
Minerals: Minerals are an important and often neglected aspect of our daily diet. While carbohydrates and fats provide us with our energy requirements, minerals are necessary for other functions such as the building and maintenance of bones, teeth, and skin. Minerals also play a vital role in muscle and nerve function. Eggs contain iron which is required for the transportation of oxygenated blood to every cell in your body. They also contain phosphorous which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth. Eggs are a good source of the mineral Selenium which is an effective antioxidant and ensures proper thyroid gland function.
Benefits of Egg Oil
Prevents Hair Loss
It is established that exposure to sunlight damages the skin which is why we use sunscreen lotions on a regular basis. However, we often neglect to take into account the effect the sun can have on our hair and scalp. Sunlight, hard water and air and water pollutants age the scalp and cause hair thinning and hair loss. Nutritional deficiencies are another common cause of hair problems as a lack of adequate nutrients leads to brittle hair that breaks easily.
Egg oil is a rich source of fatty acids, minerals and vitamins that your hair and scalp require to regenerate hair follicles and prevent hair loss. Several scientific tests have shown that onion juice is effective in treating hair loss and so you can make a simple hair tonic by mixing equal amount of egg oil, olive oil and onion juice. Massage your scalp with this mixture as this egg oil massage will nourish your scalp and may even help to prevent gray hair. Leave it on for at least 3-4 hours and then rinse and wash your hair as usual. Egg oil for hair loss is a simple treatment method and should be used regularly for lasting results.
Acts as a Skin Cleanser/Toner
Egg oil is a good source of high quality cholesterol that helps to heal dry and damaged skin. It is an excellent emollient and penetrates the skin easily which enhances the effects of its anti-bacterial properties. Egg oil also helps to prevent and treat scarring which is why egg oil for skin care has become so popular.
To make your own cleanser/toner, pour two teaspoons of rose water into a small glass bottle. Add half a teaspoon of fresh lime juice to the bottle along with 5 drops of egg oil. Cap the bottle tightly and shake it thoroughly to create a smooth emulsion. Soak a cotton swab in this liquid and then gently massage your entire face with it. Use this on a regular basis to keep your skin clean, smooth and naturally soft.
Treats Skin Diseases
Egg Oil contains a wide variety of healthy fats which help to moisturize the skin and prevent excessive drying. This is why it is very effective in treating a variety of dry skin problems such as dandruff, eczema and dermatitis
To make a skin care lotion that prevents these conditions, mix 3 drops of tea tree oil with 3 drops of egg oil. Add one teaspoon of olive oil to this mixture and massage it into your skin. Tea tree oil has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and this will help to prevent a host of skin problems including scabies and ringworm. It would be best to use this remedy immediately after your shower as it would help to seal in moisture and keep your skin well hydrated.
Stimulates Blood Circulation
Massaging your scalp will increase the blood circulation to it and this will ensure that your hair follicles receive plenty of oxygen-rich blood. Warm 2 teaspoons of olive oil until it is almost hot and add an equal amount of egg oil to it. Dip your fingertips in this oil and massage your scalp thoroughly. To increase blood circulation to your scalp, you can soak a towel in hot water and wring it well before wrapping it around your head. The heat from the towel will also increase the amount of oil that is absorbed by your scalp and hair and this would increase the effectiveness of your egg oil massage.
Maintains Healthy and Glowing Skin
Egg oil contains several skin-healthy vitamins so making this oil a part of your daily beauty regimen will give you healthy glowing skin. Skin healthy vitamins include Vitamin E which is an excellent moisturizer, Vitamin B3 which boosts hydration and Vitamin A which reduces wrinkles and helps with brown spots and pigmentation problems. Mix equal amounts of almond oil and egg oil and massage your face with this oil before you go to bed for healthy and blemish-free skin.
Egg Oil Face Packs
- Egg Oil pack for oily skin: People who have oily skin are more likely to get blackheads and whiteheads as overactive sebaceous glands are more prone to blockages. Many cosmetics can get rid of the excess oil but they also leave your skin dry and flaky. You can use a simple egg oil face pack to deep cleanse your skin while leaving it well moisturized. Take two tablespoons of Fuller’s earth in a shallow bowl. Add 2 spoons of fresh tomato juice to the bowl along with 3-5 drops of egg oil. Tomato juice is a natural acid and it will break down the oils on your skin while the fuller’s earth in this face mask will absorb the excess oil from your skin. The egg oil will nourish your skin and prevent excessive drying.
- Egg Oil pack for dry skin: People with dry skin often have trouble finding cosmetic products that will cleanse their skin without drying it out even further. You can make a moisturizing face pack by mixing one tablespoon of gram flour with 5 drops each of jojoba oil and egg oil. Add enough rose water or fresh cucumber juice to this mixture to form a thick paste. Apply this to your face and wash it off once it dries. Egg oil contains phospholipids which have excellent moisturizing properties. Gram flour contains saponins that have natural soap-like qualities and so this mask will cleanse and moisturize your skin leaving it soft and glowing.
- Egg Oil pack for sensitive skin: Looking after sensitive skin can be quite a problem as many cosmetic products may not agree with you. Use a face pack at least once a week to clear blemishes and treat blotchy skin. Blend one quarter of an apple along with a tablespoon of oatmeal and add 5-7 drops of egg oil to make a mild cleansing face pack. Apples contain mallic acid that promote collagen production while oatmeal contains starches and beta-glucan which act as a skin protectant.