What if we told you that a tiny grain is a solution to most of your skincare woes?Yes, that’s true. Wheat germ refers to the embryo of the wheat kernel which germinates into a plant and is a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products. Loaded with plant proteins, fibre, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, wheat germ is very popular in skin and hair care products.

Not without a reason. Being rich in vitamin E, it is one of the best oils to support natural collagen production. Due to increased collagen activity, the skin heals and repairs faster, and regular application on scars helps to fade them away.At a time when customers are conscious about what’s going inside their products and looking for naturally sourced ingredients, wheat germ scores as it is healing and suitable for all skin types. Wheat germ oil is used as a cooking medium by many weight-watchers because it works as a fat-burner. What is wheat germ oil?Wheat germ is the embryo or the germinating part of a wheat kernel. The germ of the wheat kernel is cold-pressed for extracting wheat germ oil. This oil has anti-oxidant, relaxing, regenerative, anti-ageing, and immune-stimulant properties. 

Why is wheat germ oil good for the skin?

The beauty benefits of wheat germ oil arise mainly from two of its most important constituents:Linoleic acid: Linoleic acid is an essential building block for ceramides, one of the skin’s surface lipids and main moisturising elements. It is an essential fatty acid because our bodies can not make this fatty acid, so we need to get it from our food or put it on our skin. Linoleic acid helps makes the skin’s barrier stronger so it can effectively keep water in and irritants out.It helps to strengthen brittle and lusterless hair, treat eczema, hydrate dry skin, address nail problems, cure dandruff and allergies.Vitamin E: Wheatgerm is a rich source of α-tocopherol (Vitamin E), which gives the skin its strength and structure. Even though there are 8 forms of vitamin E, the most biologically active form of the vitamin is called alpha-tocopherol. It is the major antioxidant in the epidermis which is known to fight against the free radicals and thus helpful in battling against wrinkles, fine lines, saggy skin, poor muscle tone, dryness, varicose veins and scars and other symptoms of premature ageing.

Is wheat germ oil used in ayurvedic skincare products?

Wheat germ oil is extracted from the kernel of wheat grains and is known as Godhuma tailam in Ayurveda. It is documented in ayurvedic texts as nourishing, strengthening and complexion promoter. Wheat germ oil is recommended in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, dry skin conditions, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, eczema, hair loss and in the enhancement of cognitive ability, heart health and liver functions.Can wheat germ oil be used for acne-prone skin?Yes, with ease. Wheatgerm oil controls excess oil and helps treat acne. The topical use of wheat germ oil helps reduce acne breakouts by preventing the formation of milia (whiteheads) and comedones (blackheads) and depriving the Propionibacterium acnes (the acne forming bacteria) of adequate medium to grow. Its vitamin E content prevents irritating lipid peroxidation of sebum, which is responsible for the inflammatory aspects of acne vulgaris. 

Does it help to fade away dark spots, acne scars? 

The free radical theory of ageing (FRTA) states that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. Antioxidants work by neutralising free radicals. Vitamin E present in wheat germ oil acts as a radical-scavenging antioxidant. This means that it helps to stimulate healthy cellular regeneration and repairing the damages done to collagen and elastin. Vitamin E further helps to smoothen fine lines, wrinkles and sagging, associated with photoaging.

What are the benefits of wheat germ oil on scalp and hair?

Wheat germ has deep-conditioning and moisturising properties. The linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) is a constituent of skin surface lipids called ceramides, whose function is to maintain the epidermal water barrier of the skin thus sustaining optimum hydration levels. It helps enhance blood circulation in your scalp, treat split ends, reduce itchy flakes, control dandruff, nourish the hair follicles, and other scalp conditions.Can you share a home DIY for glossy, frizz-free hair?Here’s a pre-Shampoo oil treatment: Mix sesame and wheat germ oil in a ratio of 5:1. Add 5 drops of rosemary oil. Massage this blend on your scalp and hair lengths and leave it on for about an hour. Rinse your hair with any of the Just Herbs shampoos, also enriched with wheatgerm oil.