The 8 Best Emu Oils for the Face Reviews & Guide 2024

Emu oil has many benefits for the skin. It heals inflammation and repairs extreme dryness. The best emu oils for the face can reduce wrinkles and treat eczema. People use it to recover from radiation therapy and prevent psoriasis flares.

Because it’s so thick and nourishing, emu oil might clog pores and it’s not ideal for oily or acne-prone complexions. Just a little bit goes a long way.

How do you use emu oil on your face?

Take a drop or two and massage it into the skin after cleansing. Repeat as often as needed. And feel free to blend emu oil with your favorite essential oil. It’s an outstanding carrier oil for tea tree, rose, or lavender.

Where does emu oil come from?

We’re sad to say that emu oil is harvested from dead emus. They are large flightless birds from Australia that are currently raised on ranches around the world for their meat and oil. Therefore, this is not a vegan product.

What makes emu oil good for the face and body?

The Aborigines have been using emu oil to heal their skin for thousands of years. The oil is full of fatty acids and antioxidants that lessen inflammation and accelerate repair. It keeps the skin hydrated and smooth. Plus, it seems to act as a natural insect repellent because it contains terpenes (1).

Which is better refined or unrefined emu oil?

Emu oil is typically refined to remove toxins and contaminants. We recommend refined oil as it’s a safer option.

What are the side effects of emu oil?

This natural oil appears to have only benefits with no negative side effects for humans. We’ve heard of no adverse reactions, although it may clog pores and trigger acne if used in excess.

What can you use in place of emu oil?

Let’s be honest, not everyone’s comfortable with using emu oil because it means the death of fluffy feathered friends that can’t fly away free from farms. If you’re keen on trying it, choose an oil that comes from free range emus. Otherwise, olive oil is an excellent moisturizer for the face because it’s packed with oleic acid just like emu oil (2).

Now, here’s where you can learn more about shopping for emu oil:

Best Emu Oil for the Face in 2024

PRO EMU OIL – AEA Certified

If you want the purest emu oil, this one’s guaranteed. It’s been certified by a chemist to meet the specifications laid down by the American Emu Association. What’s more, it’s refined and non-comedogenic, making it appropriate for all skin types.

Emu oil in and of itself is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, especially when it’s in its pure, undiluted state. This one has absolutely no diluents or additives except for a minuscule amount of vitamin E to extend the shelf life. What percentage of vitamin E, you ask? Only 0.00022%.

The brand Progressive Emu is said to be the largest producer of emu oil on the planet. They don’t just have the trustworthy reputation, but also offer affordable prices.

Reviewers use the oil as a daily moisturizer, to treat radiation burns cancer therapy, and clear up eczema on infants and adults.

Pros:

• Affordable, pure emu oil certified by the American Emu Association
• Has no added ingredients besides 0.00022% vitamin E to extend the shelf life
• Refined, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic
• From the principal producer of emu oil on the planet

Cons:

• Not vegan

Emu Joy Ethically Sourced Emu Oil

Not all emu oil is equal. Some is sourced from factory farms where the birds live in crowded conditions. Others are blended from batches collected from a variety of sources. But this oil is unique.

It’s harvested from emus raised on a single-family ranch in the Rocky Mountains. The birds are fed clean water and organic grains and are given plenty of space to roam. They aren’t stuffed full of hormones or steroids. Their treatment is about as humane as it gets.

Moreover, the oil is so pure that it’s certified food-grade by the AEA (American Emu Association). Each bottle is stamped with the lot number and bottling date to ensure freshness. There are no additives whatsoever in the bottle.

Use the oil to enhance your diet, put it on new tattoos and piercings to help them heal, and calm razor burn with it. It prevents scarring and it’s mild enough to use on diaper rash or rosacea-prone skin. You can put emu oil on your pet’s injuries, too.

Pros:

• Sourced from a single-family farm in the Rocky Mountains
• The birds are raised in humane conditions with space to roam, clean water, and organic food
• Certified by the American Emu Association
• Food-grade oil is pure and safe for eating or treating new tattoos and piercings
• Stamped with lot number and bottling date to track freshness

Cons:

• None, although it’s not vegan

Y-Not Natural- Organic Pharmaceutical 100% Pure Emu Oil

If you’re into natural products, the benefits of this emu oil are twofold. First, it’s made with oil harvested from free-range emus in Australia. And second, the oil is raw and unrefined.

Since it’s not refined with heat or chemicals, it contains the maximum amount of nutrients. It even has vitamin K2, something you’re unlikely to find in your regular multivitamin supplement. It’s thought to be a key ingredient for arthritis relief and healthy heart function.

It’s packaged in a pump-top bottle for no mess dispensing. Plus, the oil comes with a satisfaction guarantee.

Pros:

• Raw, unrefined emu oil harvested from free-range emus in Australia
• Preserves the maximum amount of nutrients including vitamin K2
• Packaged in a no-mess pump top bottle

Cons:

• Emu oil is an animal product, and so is a snail mask, but snail mucin can be harvested without killing the snails and it’s extra moisturizing.

InstaNatural Emu Facial & Body Oil

This emu oil comes in a little spray bottle just like the one above. It’s handy for spritzing the oil on the scalp to help hair grow back. Some people prefer the traditional bottle with an eyedropper, however.

Like other products from this brand, the oil is made in the USA from globally sourced ingredients. It’s technically cruelty-free, which means it was never tested on animals. (There is some confusion about the term because the oil comes from dead animals, which can be considered cruelty. Yet the official designation means that no animals were dosed with emu oil to see how their bodies or skin reacts).

If you’re a fan of other InstaNatural products, it won’t be a stretch to try this oil. After all, there are lots of positive reviews. It’s even AEA-certified and refined.

Pros:

• Made in America from global sources
• AEA-certified and refined
• Packaged in a pump top spray bottle

Cons:

• No standout benefits, but possibly more affordable than some options

100% Pure Australian Fully Refined Emu Oil by Tropical Holistic

Get your emu oil from the place where it all began – Australia. This one is grade A+ refined oil with no added ingredients. In fact, it’s been refined six times for absolute purity.

The manufacturer promises that it’s ethically sourced. They back it up with a satisfaction guarantee.

It’s packaged in a light protective dark-colored bottle with a dropper for precise measurements and placement. It has a shelf life of one to two years depending on whether or not you store it in the refrigerator (which extends its lifetime).

Pros:

• Ethically sourced from Australian emus
• Pure grade A+ oil that’s been refined six times
• Comes with a satisfaction guarantee
• Packaged in a dark-colored bottle with a dropper
• Anticipated shelf life of one to two years

Cons:

• Did you know that it’s the male emu that incubates the eggs? Commercial farming of emus started in the 1970s and wild emus are a protected species.

Cocojojo Emu Oil – 100% Pure Natural

Little bottles are fine if you only want emu oil for personal use. But if you have a salon or spa or you make your own cosmetics, you’ll need it in bulk. This brand offers 16-ounce and gallon-size bottles of Grade A emu oil that’s been refined six times. It’s made in Australia and free of fillers and diluents.

Use it as body oil, a hair mask, and massage oil for sore joints and muscles. Blend it with other ingredients to make lip balm, lotion, or soap.

Pros:

• Large size bottles of Grade A emu oil from Australia
• Refined six times for extra purity, no fillers added
• Suitable for skin and hair care or DIY products

Cons:

• No specific information provided about the source of the emu oil

Rose Emu Oil by Leven Rose

Emu oil is a great carrier for essential oils and botanicals. Take this product, for example. It’s nothing but pure emu oil with organic rose extract that gives it an appealing fragrance. Furthermore, rose is exceptional for skin care as it’s soothing for sensitive complexions.

Thankfully, the emus from which the oil comes are organically raised.

Users say the delicate rose scent is amazing. They say the oil has made fine lines disappear and left the skin radiant and clear.

Pros:

• Comes from organically-raised emus
• Pure emu oil blended with organic rose extract
• Delicate natural fragrance and extra skincare benefits

Cons:

• No AEA certification

PURE EMU Hydrating Emu Oil Omega Body Lotion

Before you DIY body lotion with emu oil, give this one a try. It’s based on refined emu oil from free-range birds that are hormone-free. The refining process uses no chemicals and results in pure, safe, and stable emu oil.

However, emu oil is the second ingredient on the label. The first is rice bran oil, a superior anti-aging moisturizer that decongests pores and improves blood circulation. This third is vitamin E, and then the list continues with other natural goodness like safflower, seabuckthorn, argan, and meadowfoam seed oil. There are no parabens, alcohols, artificial colors, or fragrances. The only preservative is rosemary extract.

The result is a fast-absorbing lotion that’s never sticky or greasy. It leaves the skin feeling like silk. It’s mild enough for use on the face and potent enough to speed up healing anywhere on the body.

Pros:

• Fast-absorbing, anti-aging moisturizer made for the face and body
• The emu oil comes from free-range birds that are hormone-free
• Made with nourishing natural ingredients
• Free of parabens, artificial colors, and fragrances

Cons:

• None

Conclusion

Emu oil is beneficial for healing dry skin and reducing inflammation. It’s an excellent facial moisturizer, yet it can treat sunburn, diaper rash, and arthritis, too.

We hope our reviews helped you find the best emu oil for your needs. If you’re having success using it, we’d love to hear back from you. Feel free to leave us a comment below.

Sources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-825/emu-oil accessed September 14, 2021

2. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1614/oleic-acid accessed September 14, 2021