Horse ointment, known as horse oil and horse fat, is a topical formulation derived from subcutaneous fat of horses. [1] Due to its thickness and viscosity, horse ointment is intended for topical use on human skin and mucous membranes to moisturize and increase the restoration of damaged skin. Horse ointment was traditionally prepared and used in ancient China for the treatment of qi deficiency, [2] hemorrhoids, burns, and xeroderma. [3] Due to the amount of fatty acids in horse ointment, which is similar to that of human skin fat, it can penetrate through the surface of skin. Nowadays, it is commonly applied to skin for the purpose of soothing redness and irritation. It is considered a natural skincare product with low risks of sensitization and irritation and is safe for people of all ages, including infants and seniors.
Horse ointment is used as preparation for the treatment of skin conditions. Horse ointment originated in China and has existed for over 4,000 years. Its usage was recorded in some ancient Chinese medical books. Lingshu Jing was the first pharmacopoeia that included information about the moisturizing properties and effectiveness of horse ointment in the treatment of milia. Li Shizhen, a Chinese physician and writer of Compendium of Materia Medica, mentioned the use of horse ointment in the treatment of dyschromia, eczema, and burns. The doctor Tao Hongjing also mentioned that horse oil can help to promote hair growth in the Compendium.
The following table summarizes the main ingredients found in horse ointment formulations, their effects on skin, as well as their safety scores, which were determined by the US Environmental Working Group (EWG). [4] Horse oil creams of different brands may have variations in their ingredients.
The ingredient safety points are quoted from the EWG US Environmental Working Group. They are used to indicate the potential risks of long-term use of the ingredient to human skin and health. Ingredient safety points range from 1-10, with 10 representing the highest risk and 1 representing the lowest risk.
Ingredients | Role | Ingredient safety points Based on EWG (0-10) |
Water | Solvent | 1 |
Cetyl Alcohol | Emulsion stabiliser, moisturizer, thickener | 1 |
Glycerin | Moisturiser | 2 |
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) | Antioxidant | 1 |
Oleic acid | Moisture barrier | 1 |
Coenzyme Q10 | Skin cells replenisher | unknown |
Hyalurnic acid | Skin conditioner | unknown |
Palmitic acid | Emollient | 1 |
Collagen | Moisturiser and for regenerating and firming skin | 1 |
Vitamin E | Antioxidant | 1-2 |
Glycyrrhetinic acid | For calming skin and minimising irritation | 4 |
Liquid paraffin | Emollient | 1 |
Polysorbate 80 | Emlusifier | 1-3 |
Horse Fat | Skin conditioning | unknown |
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate | Antioxidant | 1 |
Urea | Moisturiser | 1-3 |
Dimethicone | Emollient | 1 |
Rosemary leaf extract | Moisturiser | 1 |
Phenoxyethanol | Fragrance, Preservative | 4 |
Disodium/Trisodium EDTA | Chelating agent | 1 |
Overall, the safety points of ingredients commonly found in horse ointment formulations ranges between 1-4, indicating a low risk of causing skin or other health issues. Although horse ointment itself is a nature skin moisturizer, different ingredients might be added in the production process to mask the odor of horse oil as well as to add nutrients that can lessen the effects of horse ointment on skin.
The extraction of horse oil is a process that requires the use of large-scale machines. Horse fatty tissues are first ground with a meat grinder and then mixed with water. In order to render horse oils, horse fat is first extracted in a vacuum system at a temperature between 60–110 °C. Rendered horse oil is then collected, filtered, and neutralized with 0.2% sodium hydroxide. Afterwards, it transferred to a stainless steel container in a water bath at 100 °C for 30 minutes for the precipitation of impurities. [5] Modern manufacturing of horse ointment usually involves purification to remove the odor of horse oil, which enables it to be a cosmetic product widely used nowadays. [6]
A typical high-purity grade of horse ointment is composed predominantly of unsaturated acids. Compared to saturated acids, unsaturated acids are more suitable for skin applications. Two substances in horse ointments have a larger influence on its impact on skin, namely alphalinolenic acid and linoleic acid. Alphalinolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid that exerts anti-inflammatory effects, while linolenic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that moisturizes the skin and reduces inflammatory mediators. [7] In addition to its effects on skin, a recent study discovered that horse ointments could also protect against oxidative stress. Experimental results showed that horse ointments absorb UVB radiation and remove reactive oxygen species, thus protecting human HaCaT keratinocytes from UVB-induced oxidative stress and preventing cell structural damage, skin necrosis, and aging. [8]
Horse ointment contains vitamin F, which exerts a natural anti-inflammatory effect and prevents flare-ups of acne. It can also increase the repairing of damaged skin cells and speed up the fading of scars. [9]
Some horse ointment formulas contain natural moisturizers extracted from plants, such as rosemary, horsetail, hops, pine, and lemon. These natural moisturizers are able to repair skin, which is a necessary property for increasing skin metabolism, maintaining skin health, as well as reducing pore size.
Horse ointment contains coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, and collagen, which can maintain the natural moisture barrier of the skin to prevent its water loss. Oleic acid and sea shark essence in horse oil disturbs the natural lipid bilayer of the cuticle and allows penetration into the skin. [10]
Horse oil contains sophorolipids and natural ingredients such as horsetail and pine hops, which promote the synthesis of collagen in the skin and thus maintain elasticity and prevent wrinkle formation. [11]
Liposomes in horse oil stimulate hair follicles to enter the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, thus shortening the time for hair growth. [12]
Horse oil is one of the most common natural moisturizing ingredients in cosmetic products in Asian countries. It has been claimed to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antipruritic effects on the skin. However, most studies related to the efficacy of horse oil are written in Japanese or Korean without any English translations, thus making it difficult for dermatologists to analyze and discuss the findings. [13]
Horse oil is extracted from a mixture of fat from the manes, tail root, and abdomens of horses in alpine regions, which raises ethical concerns. Some vegetarians and animal-rights activists hold firm to the belief that using horses for the production of horse ointment is cruel and unsustainable.
After refining, horse oil is a raw material for the production of high-end cosmetics that can be exchanged in the market. The development and production of horse oil ointment and other associated cosmetic products has extended the chain of horse product development, increasing the output value each year. Horse ointment is now widely produced, although it is mainly produced in the Kyushu area.
In nutrition, biology, and chemistry, fat usually means any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that occur in living beings or in food.
Emu oil is an oil derived from body fat harvested from certain subspecies of the emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, a flightless bird indigenous to Australia.
A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes including creams, foams, gels, lotions, and ointments. Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin. Topical medications may also be inhalational, such as asthma medications, or applied to the surface of tissues other than the skin, such as eye drops applied to the conjunctiva, or ear drops placed in the ear, or medications applied to the surface of a tooth. The word topical derives from Greek τοπικόςtopikos, "of a place".
Hair conditioner is a hair care cosmetic product used to improve the feel, texture, appearance and manageability of hair. Its main purpose is to reduce friction between strands of hair to allow smoother brushing or combing, which might otherwise cause damage to the scalp. Various other benefits are often advertised, such as hair repair, strengthening, or a reduction in split ends.
A moisturizer, or emollient, is a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin. These functions are normally performed by sebum produced by healthy skin. The word "emollient" is derived from the Latin verb mollire, to soften.
Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. It is ivory in color when raw and commonly dyed yellow with borututu root or palm oil. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. It is edible and is used in food preparation in some African countries. It is occasionally mixed with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter, although the taste is noticeably different.
Oleyl alcohol, or cis-9-octadecen-1-ol, is an unsaturated fatty alcohol with the molecular formula C18H36O or the condensed structural formula CH3(CH2)7−CH=CH−(CH2)8OH. It is a colorless oil, mainly used in cosmetics.
In organic chemistry, a dicarboxylic acid is an organic compound containing two carboxyl groups. The general molecular formula for dicarboxylic acids can be written as HO2C−R−CO2H, where R can be aliphatic or aromatic. In general, dicarboxylic acids show similar chemical behavior and reactivity to monocarboxylic acids.
Baby oil is, in general terms, an inert oil for the purpose of keeping skin soft and supple. It is often used on babies for the purpose of maintaining "baby-soft" skin, but it is also often used by adults for skincare and massage.
Natural skin care uses topical creams and lotions made of ingredients available in nature. Much of the recent literature reviews plant-derived ingredients, which may include herbs, roots, flowers and essential oils, but natural substances in skin care products include animal-derived products such as beeswax, and minerals. These substances may be combined with various carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers.
Jojoba esters are the hydrogenation or transesterification product of Jojoba oil. Jojoba Esters are commonly used in cosmetic formulations as an emollient, due to its remarkable similarity to the natural oils produced by the human skin, and its high oxidative stability. Fully hydrogenated jojoba esters are most often small beads used to exfoliate the skin.
Behenic acid is a carboxylic acid, the saturated fatty acid with formula C21H43COOH. In appearance, it consists of white solid although impure samples appear yellowish.
Lotion is a low-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to the skin. By contrast, creams and gels have higher viscosity, typically due to lower water content. Lotions are applied to external skin with bare hands, a brush, a clean cloth, or cotton wool.
Rose hip seed oil is a pressed seed oil, extracted from the seeds of the wild rose bush Rosa rubiginosa in the southern Andes. Rosehip seed oil can also be extracted from Rosa canina, a wild rose species native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. The fruits of the rosehip have been used in folk medicine for a long time. Rosehips have prophylactic and therapeutic actions against the common cold, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract diseases, and inflammatory diseases.
Crocodile oil is extracted from the fatty tissues of crocodiles. Crocodile fat is a product of commercial farming, evident in Thailand. Historically, for centuries crocodile oil has been used by traditional practitioners across the globe, including Chinese Traditional Medicine, Southeast Asia, Ancient Egypt. Crocodile oil was found to be used since the 19th century for different purposes in different cultures. Due to the oil's components, its richness in monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats, it is today commonly used as ointment for treatment of skin conditions, skin structure enhancement, collagen deposition, and medicine for illnesses. In recent times, the use of crocodile oil has invited criticism from the use of crocodile oil as there is an increased demand for cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty products in consumers of today's society.
Vitellaria paradoxa is extremely important in Burkina Faso. Termed "women's gold" by Burkinabé villagers, the nuts of shea tree can be collected and processed by crushing and grinding to yield shea butter, which is widely used in soap and in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve, or lotion. Shea butter is also edible and may be used in food preparation; it is sometimes used in the manufacture of chocolate. The bark of the tree is also used as an ingredient in traditional medicines and the shell of nut is said to be able to repel mosquitoes and is also said to protect existing trees.
Egg oil, also known as egg yolk oil or ovum oil, is derived from the yolk of chicken eggs consisting mainly of triglycerides with traces of lecithin, cholesterol, biotin, xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin, and immunoglobulins. It is free of egg proteins and hence may be used safely by people who are allergic to eggs, for topical applications such as hair and skin care. The product has several historical references in Unani (Greek) medicine for hair care. Traditional Chinese medicine uses egg oil for burns, eczema, dermatitis, mouth ulcers, skin ulcers, chapped nipples, tinea capitis, ringworm, nasal vestibulitis, frostbite, and hemorrhoids.
Aquaphor is a brand of over-the-counter (OTC) skin care ointments manufactured by Beiersdorf Inc., an affiliate of Beiersdorf AG. Aquaphor is offered in four product ranges: There are two skin protectant ointments. Aquaphor Original Ointment, used as a compounding agent and Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, sold in mass retail outlets. The other product ranges include: Aquaphor Lip Repair and Lip Repair + Protect SPF 30, and Aquaphor Baby.
Senior dog food diets are pet foods that are catered toward the senior or mature pet population. The senior dog population consists of dogs that are over the age of seven for most dog breeds, though in general large and giant breed dogs tend to reach this life stage earlier when compared to smaller breed dogs. Senior dog foods contain nutrients and characteristics that are used to improve the health of the aging dog. Aging in dogs causes many changes to occur physiologically that will require a change in nutrient composition of their diet.
Hair oil is an oil-based cosmetic product intended to improve the condition of hair. Various types of oils may be included in hair oil products. These often purport to aid with hair growth, dryness, or damage.