Emu oil is rendered from the fat pad of the emu, filtered and refined for cosmetic use. It's high in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, absorbs readily, and is used in Australia as a moisturiser and massage oil. It has a long history of traditional use by Aboriginal peoples.
Emu oil sits oddly in the Australian skincare cupboard. Everyone's heard of it, most people couldn't tell you what it is, and the claims made about it online run well ahead of what anyone can responsibly say.
Here's the plain version.
What it actually is
Emu oil is rendered from the thick fat pad that sits on the back of the bird. The fat is separated, rendered down, then filtered and refined to remove impurities and odour.
Refining is the part that varies most between products. Poorly refined oil smells strongly and can be yellow or cloudy; well-refined oil is close to odourless and pale.
The composition is mostly fatty acids — oleic acid makes up the largest share, with linoleic and palmitic acids next. That profile is fairly close to some plant oils, which is why it feels the way it does on skin.
The traditional use
Emu oil has been used by Aboriginal peoples for a very long time, as a skin preparation and in massage. That history is genuine and it's the origin of the modern industry.
It's worth stating plainly because it often gets flattened into a marketing line, and it's older and more specific than that.
How people use it now
In Australia it turns up as:
- A plain moisturiser, particularly for dry or rough skin
- A massage oil, on its own or as a base
- An ingredient in creams, balms and after-sun products
- On cuticles, elbows and heels, the usual dry-skin spots
The thing people notice first is that it absorbs quickly for an oil and doesn't leave much of a film — which is why it's often chosen over heavier oils for massage.
A note on the claims you'll read online
You will find a lot of strong statements about emu oil on Australian retail sites. Some of them go well beyond what a cosmetic product is allowed to say here.
We're not going to repeat them. OGA sells emu oil as a cosmetic moisturiser and massage oil, and that's the whole of the claim. If you're looking into emu oil for a specific medical reason, that's a conversation for a doctor or pharmacist, not a product page.
That's a deliberate position rather than caution for its own sake — the rules on therapeutic claims exist for good reasons and plenty of the category ignores them.
Reading a label
Four things worth checking:
- Purity. "100% pure emu oil" should mean exactly that, with no other ingredient listed. Many products are blends, which is fine, but it's a different thing.
- Refinement. Well-refined oil is pale and close to odourless. Strong smell usually means less refining.
- Origin. Australian-produced, given the industry is here.
- Packaging. Dark glass or opaque, because light and heat degrade oils.
Storage
Like any oil high in unsaturated fats, it goes off. Keep it cool, dark and closed. If it smells sharp or rancid rather than neutral, it's past it.
Most 30ml bottles are best used within a year of opening.
The ethical question
Worth naming, because people ask. Emu oil is an animal product, rendered from birds farmed primarily for meat and leather — the fat is a by-product rather than the reason for farming. It is not vegan, and no amount of natural positioning changes that.
If that's a line for you, plant oils do the moisturising job perfectly well.
OGA's emu oil is 30ml of 100% pure organic emu oil.
Frequently asked
What is emu oil? An oil rendered from the fat pad of the emu, then filtered and refined for cosmetic use. It's high in oleic and linoleic fatty acids and absorbs readily into skin.
What is emu oil used for? In Australia it's used as a moisturiser and a massage oil, on its own or as an ingredient in creams and balms. It's commonly applied to dry areas like elbows, heels and cuticles.
Is emu oil vegan? No. It's an animal-derived product, rendered from birds farmed mainly for meat and leather.
Does emu oil have a smell? Well-refined emu oil is close to odourless and pale in colour. A strong smell or a deep yellow colour usually indicates less refining.
How should emu oil be stored? Cool, dark and sealed. It's high in unsaturated fats and will go rancid over time — most 30ml bottles are best used within a year of opening.
Can I use emu oil on my face? People do use it as a facial moisturiser. It's an oil, so how it suits you depends on your skin. Patch test first if your skin is reactive.
OGA Emu Oil is 30ml of 100% pure organic emu oil, for use as a moisturiser and massage oil. It is a cosmetic product and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. For any medical concern, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
