Emu oil is a natural oil derived from the fat of the emu bird, which is native to Australia and is now farmed in other regions, including the United States and Canada. This oil is composed primarily of fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids, and is commonly sought for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, often for topical use on the skin. Navigating the market requires understanding where to find a reliable supply and how to verify its purity.
Retail Options for Purchasing Emu Oil
Emu oil products are available through a variety of retail channels, each with different advantages for the buyer. Physical stores offer the benefit of immediate purchase and the ability to read labels in person. You can often find emu oil in specialized health food stores, where staff may also be able to offer guidance on different brands.
Larger pharmacy chains and drugstores often stock reputable commercial brands of emu oil, typically in the form of creams or pain relief rubs, which provides convenience and accessibility. Specialty vitamin shops also carry a selection of pure emu oil and emu oil-based supplements. However, the variety of products in physical stores is generally more limited compared to online options.
Online vendors provide the widest selection of emu oil products, ranging from pure oil to complex formulations. Direct-to-consumer brand websites often offer the best access to the newest products and may provide better pricing or bulk discounts. Shopping on large e-commerce platforms gives you the chance to compare many different sellers at once, but checking seller and product reviews for authenticity is an important step. The advantage of online shopping lies in the sheer variety and potential for lower prices.
Essential Quality Factors When Buying
The quality of emu oil is largely determined by the refining process, which directly impacts the product’s purity and safety for consumer use. The most important distinction is “fully refined” emu oil, as opposed to crude or once-refined oil. Crude emu oil is the raw, unsterilized fat rendered from the bird, and it may contain impurities, bacteria, or contaminants, making it unsuitable for internal consumption or application to broken skin.
Fully refined emu oil has undergone a rigorous process to remove impurities, including moisture, peroxides, and free fatty acids, ensuring the oil is sterilized and stable. This process is necessary to eliminate potential contaminants like hormones, metals, pesticides, and bacteria. Fully refined oil is safer for topical use and is the only grade considered food-grade for oral consumption.
A reliable indicator of high quality is certification from a third-party organization, such as the American Emu Association (AEA). The AEA Certified Fully Refined seal signifies that the oil is Grade A and has been tested by an independent, certified chemist to meet specific purity standards. This certification process requires a batch code on the product label, allowing for batch tracking and ensuring that the oil has not been adulterated with cheaper oils like olive or ostrich oil.
The refining process typically involves filtering the fat, followed by further steps to remove odor and sterilize the final product. When purchasing, always look for labeling that states “100% Pure Emu Oil” and ideally “AEA Certified Fully Refined.” This level of refinement ensures that the oil maintains its beneficial fatty acid profile while being safe for application or ingestion.
Choosing the Right Emu Oil Product Form
Emu oil is sold in several distinct forms, catering to different user needs and methods of application. The most direct option is pure topical oil, which is 100% refined emu oil intended for direct application to the skin. This form is generally recommended for focused topical relief, such as moisturizing extremely dry skin, targeting specific areas of inflammation, or managing the appearance of scars.
Another common form is creams and lotions, where emu oil is blended with other inactive and active ingredients. These compounded products are preferred by users who want the benefits of emu oil in a more familiar, less oily texture. These formulations are typically used for general skin care, daily moisturizing, or specialized cosmetic routines.
For those interested in systemic benefits, emu oil is also available in capsule form for internal consumption. Taking the oil orally is suggested for potential benefits related to inflammation or digestive health, though these claims are not approved by regulatory bodies. When buying capsules, verify that the product uses fully refined, food-grade emu oil.