Ingredient guide · N

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a warm, aromatic spice whose essential oil is used in small amounts in skincare and haircare for its soothing and stimulating properties. It brings a spicy, comforting scent to creams, balms and massage oils while helping to refresh and clarify the skin.

Nutmeg — Nutmeg is the dried seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, an evergreen native to the Spi… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics, nutmeg essential oil and extracts are valued for their ability to gently stimulate circulation and support a healthy-looking complexion. The oil’s naturally occurring compounds help to cleanse and balance oily or combination skin, while its aromatic profile makes it a popular addition to warming balms, foot creams and hair treatments that aim to invigorate the scalp and add shine to hair.

Key benefits

  • Helps clarify and balance oily or combination skin
  • Gently stimulates circulation for a fresh appearance
  • Soothes and comforts irritated skin in low concentrations
  • Adds a warming sensation to massage oils and balms
  • Supports a healthy scalp environment
  • Imparts shine and freshness to hair

Best for

oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, dull skin

Where it comes from

Nutmeg is the dried seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, an evergreen native to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The outer covering of the seed produces mace, while the inner kernel is ground or distilled to obtain the fragrant oil used in beauty formulations.

Products with Nutmeg

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Nutmeg than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

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