What’s the Hype About Japan’s Viral Horse Oil? 6 Benefits + 7 Hidden Uses

Many women have heard of horse oil as a skincare ingredient. In recent years, various horse oil products have flooded the market, quickly becoming a staple in beauty routines. In Japan, products like toners, serums, creams, and horse oil balms are often considered holy grails for skincare.

Horse oil contains multiple nutrients and offers strong skincare benefits at an affordable price, which explains its popularity in Japan. But what exactly can horse oil do, and how should it be used? Let’s dive in.

1

What is Horse Oil?

Horse oil is literally fat extracted from horses. Typically, fat is taken from areas like the mane, neck, and abdomen, then boiled at high temperatures and filtered to remove impurities, producing raw horse fat. Modern horse oil is further refined using steam purification, making it a natural animal-derived fat.

Originally, horse oil came from China. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, horse fat was used for hair growth, fading spots, treating acne, healing cracked skin, and burns. During Japan’s Nara period, horse fat arrived in Japan and was used as a burn ointment.

Today, research has refined horse oil into high-purity products, making it a skincare treasure in Japan. Horse oil contains oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and other unsaturated fatty acids, which repair the skin barrier. It is also rich in vitamins E and F, supporting skin metabolism and maintaining healthy skin.

2

Key Skincare Components in Horse Oil

i. Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Horse oil is over 65% unsaturated fatty acids, higher than most plant oils or deep-sea fish oils. Linoleic and linolenic acids help maintain healthy skin and repair damage, delivering nutrients deep into the skin. Its high absorption and compatibility with skin ensure the nutrients penetrate effectively.

ii. Vitamin E

Vitamin E activates skin cells and strengthens the skin’s defense system, helping prevent inflammation, fade dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne marks.

iii. Vitamin C

Vitamin C in horse oil is a water-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals, slows skin aging, and reduces melanin formation for a brighter complexion.

iv. Vitamin F

Vitamin F nourishes skin continuously and supports overall skin health, suitable for acne-prone or eczema-prone skin.

3

6 Major Benefits of Horse Oil

1. Moisturizes skin

Horse oil delivers nutrients and moisture, preventing dryness and water loss in the stratum corneum, making it ideal as a daily moisturizer in winter, especially for dry skin.

2. Repairs skin

Rich in vitamins A and E, horse oil has strong antioxidant effects, improving wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. It also aids wound healing and scar fading, making it great for acne-prone skin.

3. Calms sensitive skin

Horse oil’s nutrients soothe redness, itching, and irritation, and can improve eczema by keeping skin hydrated.

4. Reduces pigmentation

Thanks to vitamin C, regular application can fade sun spots, freckles, and hormonal pigmentation over time.

5. Hair care

Horse oil regulates scalp oil, reducing hair loss, dandruff, and scalp irritation, while nourishing hair to strengthen fragile strands.

6. Burns and wounds

Horse oil accelerates healing and protects against bacterial infection. It also reduces scar formation on minor burns or surgical wounds.

4

7 Hidden Uses of Horse Oil

1. As a skincare primer

After cleansing, apply a thin layer to improve absorption of subsequent skincare products. For oily skin, use small amounts multiple times to avoid clogged pores.

2. Face cleansing

Japanese beauty expert Sachiko Endo used horse oil for 3 years to improve fine lines, dryness, dullness, and enlarged pores. 

Steps:

1. Warm towel compress to open pores.
2. Rub 1 tsp of horse oil in hands and massage evenly over the face (5–8 min), focusing on T-zone.
3. Pat gently with tissue to remove excess oil.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Apply toner and continue with regular skincare.

3. Replace regular skincare

Use horse oil instead of creams, serums, or moisturizers. Its locking and moisturizing ability makes it a strong alternative. Massage thoroughly and blot excess oil.

4. DIY lip mask

Warm lips, apply horse oil (optionally mixed with honey), cover with plastic wrap for ~10 min. This softens lips and reduces dryness. Mixing with sugar can exfoliate dead skin once a week.

5. Scalp care

Massage horse oil into the scalp before shampooing to improve circulation and absorption, helping with hair loss, dandruff, and itchiness.

Steps:

1. Comb hair to detangle.
2. Massage oil into dry scalp.
3. Wrap with a warm towel or use a steam cap (10–15 min).
4. Rinse thoroughly and follow a regular hair care routine.

6. Hair conditioner

After washing, towel-dry and apply horse oil to hair ends, then blow-dry. It repairs damaged cuticles, smooths frizz, and prevents split ends. Commercial horse oil hair products often combine camellia oil, olive oil, and amino acid moisturizers for deeper repair.

7. Topical ointment for wounds

Clean the wound and apply horse oil, then bandage. Minor injuries can heal in a few days. For severe wounds, consult a doctor first.

5

Anti-Aging and Face-Lifting Alternative

While horse oil is excellent for skincare, anti-aging, V-shaped face, and lifting effects are limited. For immediate contouring:

Perfect Medical Thermage FLX 5th Generation Face Lift Treatment uses patented monopolar RF to tighten the SMAS layer (4.5mm) and stimulate collagen growth. Benefits:

• Tightens jawline and facial contours
• Reduces sagging, puffiness, wrinkles, and dry skin
• Non-invasive with shorter treatment time (-25%)
• Uses AccREP® technology and Smart Full-Effect 4.0 tip for maximum effect

Limited-time online registration offers discounts for the treatment.