People who are allergic to neem oil may develop hives or a rash after a patch test. If this happens, stop using the oil — and any products that contain it — immediately. Treating skin conditions

The more oil there is to feed on, the more it grows. But if the malassezia grows too much, it can disrupt the scalp’s skin cell renewal and cause skin to cluster together in what we know as dandruff. Reutemann P, Ehrlich A. Neem oil: an herbal therapy for alopecia causes dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2008;19(3):E12-15. It’s rated as a 1-2 on the comedogenic scale (which runs from 0-5), which means it’s officially non-comedogenic and has a low likelihood of clogging pores. Combined with its softening properties, using neem oil for hair could help it look smoother and sleeker.

Ingredients

Barua, C. C., et al. (2010). Evaluation of the wound healing activity of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica and Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi) in rats. The humectant vitamin F in neem oil is responsible for protecting the cuticle barrier and sealing humidity out. Neem seed extracts are comprised of various fatty acids and about 2% bitters, which are considered toxic. Levels of these bitters differ between products and may be influenced by extraction and storage methods ( 29). Avoid oral intake Even better, using neem oil for skin has been found to increase levels of a collagen-producing enzyme (procollagen) and a protein called elastin. 4

Pure neem oil is incredibly potent. To treat acne, fungal infections, warts, or moles, use undiluted neem oil to spot treat affected areas. Although neem products are derived from natural sources, they’re not inherently safe for human use. Therefore, it’s important to take precautions when using neem products.

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Abdel-Ghaffar F, Semmler M. Efficacy of need seed extract shampoo on head life of naturally infected humans in Egypt. Parasitol Res. 2007;100(2):329-332. doi:10.1007/s00436-006-0264-2