Kukui Nut Oil

Where do we get it?

Lush purchases this oil from a supplier in West Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia.

Indonesian rainforests are the oldest and largest rainforests in the world. That of the island of Borneo has lost 56% of its area during the past 50 years due to deforestation. The social enterprise that supplies Lush with kukui oil (and organic illipe butter) aims to protect and preserve the remaining forest through sustainable sourcing.

What are the benefits for people and the planet?

The small evergreen Aleurites moluccana is found across most warm countries of East Asia. It is often called ‘candlenut tree’ because the nuts can indeed be set alight and serve as candles. To make kukui oil, the nuts are first boiled in their shell, then husked, sun-dried and pressed.

The nuts are wild harvested and provide more than a hundred families with a fair income. A fixed price is guaranteed each season. The rainforest is therefore revalued - it becomes a source of employment and needs to be preserved to remain so. With the production of kukui oil alone, one hundred hectares of forest are protected.

What are the benefits of kukui oil for you?

• As an emollient, it moisturises and protects the skin and hair.
• Soothes dry skin and inflammation.
• Calms insect bites, sores and chapped lips.
• Has a dry feel and absorbs easily.