5 Things You Need to Know About Kakadu Plum

Kakadu plum oil is gaining attention in clean beauty for its skin-nourishing properties. Derived from the Australian native Kakadu plum, this botanical ingredient contains fatty acids that help moisturize and support healthy-looking skin.

At RMS Beauty, we focus on clean, effective ingredients that deliver real benefits. Here's what you should know about Kakadu plum oil and why it's worth adding to your skincare routine.

What is Kakadu?

The Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is a small green fruit found in the northern regions of Australia, primarily in the Kakadu National Park. It’s different than your average north american plum because Kakadu (pronounced Kah-kuh-DEW) is more closely related to an almond than a plum, and it contains the highest natural concentration of Vitamin C on earth, making it an absolute nutritional powerhouse for the body and the skin.

Every 100g of Kakadu contains 3,000mg of Vitamin C (which is 100% more Vitamin C than an orange), and Kakadu Plum contains 5x more antioxidants than a blueberry.

Get to Know Kakadu Plum Seed Oil

While you can certainly eat the Kakadu Plum (in Australia many people eat its fleshy, tart fruit on its own or in jams), the main Vitamin C source is its seeds, which are small, hard, and round, and carefully separated from the fruit and cold-pressed to extract the oil without compromising its nutritional value. The resulting oil is a rich elixir, similar to almond oil in texture, and is packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, iron, copper, and vitamins, and that is called Kakadu Plum Seed OIl (often shortened to Kakadu plum oil, or simply Kakadu oil). And this, dear clean community, deserves to be an “it” ingredient that outlasts all the trends.

What Does Kakadu Plum Do? Kakadu Plum Oil Benefits for Skin

Similar to Vitamin C, Kakadu Plum Seed Oil can do a lot for the skin. But because of its rich concentration of Vitamin C, it’s more potent than your average Vitamin C.

Kakadu plum seed oil is a botanical ingredient known for its skin-nourishing properties. Rich in beneficial fatty acids, it helps moisturize the skin and support a smoother, healthier-looking complexion.

Get to know its five most powerful Kakadu plum skin benefits below:

1. Brightens & Evens Skin Tone and Texture

Thanks to its ultra-rich concentration of Vitamin C and Beta Carotene (a potent antioxidant), Kakadu Plum Seed Oil can brighten dark spots, age spots, acne scars, sun spots, and more, better than your average Vitamin C serum. This potent oil can also help even out tone and texture, refining the look of pores and softening the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and even those tiny, pesky white bumps called milia.

2. It Boosts Collagen & Plumps Fine Lines

Kakadu Plum Seed Oil is super rich in essential fatty acids, include omega-3s and omega-6s. Similar to hyaluronic acid (which absorbs moisture and keeps the skin’s connective tissue taught), these fatty acids play a crucial role in strengthening and maintaining the natural skin barrier, preventing moisture loss and keeping the skin plump and hydrated.

Kakadu Plum Seed Oil also has a concentration of Vitamin A, which is a natural retinol (or what retinol is made out of). This Vitamin A, coupled with rich essential fatty acids, helps stimulate collagen production, which improves skin’s elasticity and firmness, and also refines and softens fine lines.

3. It Calms Irritation & Flare Ups

Kakadu Plum is rich in a potent polyphenol called ellagic acid, which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and even prebiotic properties. It’s also rich in Vitamin E, a vitamin known to soothe and calm the skin. Because of that, it can calm redness and irritation caused by a whole host of skin issues, including acne or eczema. It can also help soothe skin that feels tight or sensitized.

4. It Protects the Skin

Thanks to its whole host of antioxidant properties, including flavanols, aromatic acids, anthocyanins, and lutein, Kakadu Plum can protect against free radicals, which cause the skin to age faster, and accelerates photoaging.

And while it should never be used as actual UV protection (for that, we suggest a sunscreen or nourishing skin protectant like our SuperNatural Radiance Serum Broad Spectrum SPF), it can accompany your SPF routine by being rich in antioxidants and protecting against UV damage.

5. It Seriously Hydrates

Because of Kakadu Plum’s rich concentration of fatty acids, it can hold and absorb water and moisture better than skin alone. It’s also very bioavailable, meaning it’s small enough for your skin to absorb better than other, larger oils. Your skin recognizes it as its own, and grabs it, holding onto nourishment and hydration.

That also means that your skin is better able to absorb all the nourishment and nutrients Kakadu has to offer.

How to Incorporate Kakadu Plum Seed Oil Into Your Routine

Kakadu Plum Seed Oil is easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. Known for its moisturizing properties, it helps nourish and soften the skin. For a radiant, dewy finish, try mixing a few drops of RMS Beauty's Beauty Oil with UnCoverup Concealer to create a lightweight tinted moisturizer that enhances your natural complexion.

Our favorite tip to incorporate Kakadu Plum Seed Oil into your routine is to add a drop to moisturizers, oils, and even face mists, to bring much-needed hydration and nourishment back into the skin. To get the most Kakadu oil benefits without any mixing, try our Kakadu Beauty Oil as part of Rose-Marie’s three-step skincare routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kakadu plum oil good for?

Kakadu plum oil is mainly good for moisture and softness. Oil from the Kakadu plum kernel is about half linoleic acid, plus oleic acid, fatty acids that help support the skin barrier and keep skin smooth and comfortable. It works as a face oil on its own, mixed into moisturizer, or on the body in Kakadu Body Oil.

What does kakadu plum do for skin?

Kakadu plum fruit is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, which helps brighten dull-looking skin and defend against free radicals. The plum also contains ellagic acid and other antioxidants, while the seed oil adds lightweight moisture. For a deeper dive, read our full guide to Kakadu plum skin benefits.

What is a benefits of kakadu plum for skin?

The main benefits are a brighter, more even-looking tone, antioxidant protection, better moisture and a softer texture. Many people use it as a natural-leaning alternative to a vitamin C serum, layered under moisturizer like Kakadu Luxe Cream and always paired with daily sunscreen.

Is Kakadu Plum good for acne-prone skin?

It can be. Kakadu plum kernel oil is rich in linoleic acid, and acne-prone skin often has lower levels of linoleic acid in its natural oil, which is why linoleic-rich oils are popular for breakout-prone skin. It isn’t an acne treatment, though. Start with one or two drops, patch test first, and see a dermatologist for active or persistent acne.

What are the benefits of kakadu plum for oily skin?

Oily skin still needs moisture, and a lightweight, linoleic-rich oil like Kakadu plum oil can hydrate without feeling heavy. Its antioxidants also help protect skin from daily environmental stress. For oily skin, use just one drop mixed into a lightweight moisturizer, or apply it at night only.