Who knew that the remedy to common skin conditions such as dryness, eczema, and irritation lay in the folds of a crocodile’s scaly skin? Contrary to what could be seen as a unlikely ingredient for effective skincare, research by top dermatological scientists shows that crocodile oil can in fact help soothe and repair damaged skin.

The fat contained in a crocodile’s skin contains an unbelievably high concentration of natural skin repairing components like vitamins E and A, oleic acid for skin cell regeneration, and sapiens and antiseptic terrines that soften the skin. And that’s not all. The oil also contains plenty of omega 3,6, and 9 essential fatty acids–which cannot be naturally produced by humans–that moisturize and calm the skin. Crocodile oil has in fact been used for centuries as a powerful skincare treatment for skin conditions, irritations, and infections–specifically eczema and psoriasis.

Crocodile oil is indeed derived from the fat of crocodiles, which leads us to the burning questions about crocodile cruelty. According to one of the major producers of crocodile oil products, crocodile fat is a by-product that in the past has been discarded. Now, the fat is collected when the meat is trimmed and prepared for restaurants and meat suppliers in Europe and Africa. This fat’s also slim pickings, as one crocodile only has about 600g of fat available.

The crocodile fat used for the oil is derived from crocodile breeding farms where thousands of crocodiles are raised yearly for meat and leather use. These farms operate in accordance with strict regulations set by CITES [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]. Although CITES regulations do aim to prevent animals from becoming extinct, it doesn’t necessarily regulate the way in which the animals are raised and put to death.

Although crocodile is a proven effective ingredient for beauty care, sustainability and ethics are questionable. Several companies selling crocodile oil products are certified by various organic, fair-trade and cruelty-free organizations, but we may choose to wait a while before we go with the crocodile.

Good thing there are a host of other beautifying products. Check out these:

Green Tea for Skin: Our Top Superfood Cosmetic Product Picks

Why Fruit Oils Are Your Skin’s New Jam

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Image: A.Cahlenstein Photography

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