Can this ancient Hawaiian beauty secret give you amazing skin?

We’ve spoken about L’Officine Universelle Buly before… the 215-year-old French brand that’s undergone a magnificent renaissance in the hands of Ramdane Touhami (former co-owner of Cire Trudon) and Victoire de Taillac to become a 21st century favorite for those in the know. Their water-based perfumes are to die for, and those gorgeous, creamy, lush soaps make every shower a decadent experience.

But Buly 1803, as it is known colloquially, is more than just a purveyor of retail shelf goodies. They also stock an apothecary’s worth of raw ingredients, ranging from prickly pear oil, and rose petals to all kinds of clay.

And now Touhami and Taillac have come out with An Atlas of Natural Beauty, a tome that calls upon the brand’s historical archives for gorgeous beauty recipes that you can blend right in the comfort of your home.

Let’s take the ones on Kukui as an example, given that the oil from these Pacific nuts is so potent they have become the official tree of Hawaii. Lupita Nyong’o credits it for her almost-surreal complexion, while brands like The Body Shop and Origins are busy pouring it into their lotions and potions.

Why kukui nut oil?

According to An Atlas, “Kukui nut oil is rich in linoleum acid (omega 3 and omega 6), which protects the skin from external aggressions and efficiently prevents it from drying out. Its highly oleic acid content (omega 9) nourishes the skin, helps with scarification, reduces minor lesions, and soothes itching.”

Simply put: Kukui oil is your go-to for soothing and nourishing dry or irritated skin, sans the greasiness factor that’s so common with other oils. It is also a potent antioxidant, helping to detoxify the skin and reduce the appearance of scars, blemishes, and inflammation.

Besides this, kukui nut oil is also great for hair, with silky fatty acids that coat strands, delivering key nutrients and moisture to prevent breakage and add luster.

Convinced yet? Let’s try these kukui-based recipes from L’Officine Universelle.

Great Pacific facial cleanse

“Once a month, perform this great tropical cleanse: A surefire, balance-restoring radiance booster and what’s left of the fruit will surely be eaten!”

1 tablespoon papaya pulp
1 teaspoon kukui oil

1. Scoop the papaya pulp into a bowl and crush with a fork till you have a coarse paste
2. Add the kukui oil to the papaya and mix well together
3. Gently rub your face with this mixture, then leave on for five minutes, avoiding the area around the eyes
4. Remove using a tissue, without rubbing the skin, and rinse with warm water

Island hair mask

“Instead of patronising the boring haircare aisles, prepare your own nourishing mask just as you would a culinary dish!”

1 very ripe banana
1/2 teaspoon kukui oil
1/2 avocado
1 teaspoon coconut milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1. Mash the banana roughly, using a fork
2. Puree the avocado
3. Add the kukui oil to the banana mash
4. Add the pureed avocado and coconut milk to the mixture
5. Whisk the mixture together until you get a rich, smooth mask
6. Apply this mask to unwashed, dry hair
7. Leave on for about 15 minutes, then remove the excess with a comb
8. Wash hair with a gentle shampoo, then rinse with cold water mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Recipes have been edited for clarity… you can read the original in An Atlas of Natural Beauty

Have you ever tried kukui nut oil? Thoughts?

About the author

anubha

Anubha Charan is a powerhouse in the luxury beauty industry, with over 15 years of expertise shaping the global beauty narrative. As the former Beauty Director at Marie Claire, she worked with the magazine's French headquarters to craft cutting-edge beauty content for international audiences.

Anubha's bylines have appeared in some of the world’s most prestigious publications, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, WebMD, and Architectural Digest. She is also the co-author of Paris Bath & Beauty, a Simon & Schuster book on French beauty rituals.