OilUnderstated
Andiroba Oil
Also known as: Carapa guianensis, Andiroba-de-caranha
Medically reviewed by ChokChok · Updated April 15, 2026
Bitter Amazonian oil Brazilian grandmothers reached for before dermatologists existed — pressed from the seed of a rainforest giant.
What It Does
Anti-inflammatoryCalms rednessRepairs barrier
Deep Dive
Carapa guianensis is a hardwood tree whose seeds yield a golden oil rich in limonoids (think plant-world cortisone) and oleic acid. Indigenous Amazonian communities have used andiroba for centuries on wounds, joint pain, and irritated skin. Modern Brazilian brands (Natura Ekos, Feito Brasil) feature it as an anti-inflammatory star — the limonoids genuinely inhibit inflammatory pathways in vitro, though clinical data is thin. Where it shines: post-sun skin, reactive flare-ups, eczema-adjacent dryness. Where it doesn't: it's comedogenic-leaning, so acne-prone skin should layer it on body not face.