Used for generations by communities in southern Angola, Ximenia americana oil has become highly valued in the cosmetics industry for its moisturizing and restorative properties. Beyond its benefits for the skin, it represents a sustainable production model that honors women, the land, and traditional knowledge.
Cultivation, harvesting, and extraction : the angolan process
Ximenia grows naturally in the arid regions of southern Angola. It is not cultivated but wild-harvested according to the rhythms of nature. The harvest season runs from January to March, when local communities collect ripe fruits and extract the precious oil from their seeds.
This non-intensive approach helps preserve ecological balance and maintain the biodiversity of the collection areas. Every step of the process, from gathering to transformation, is carried out with respect for the resource and traditional know-how.
Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSR) in Angola
The Sustainable Development Program of the Huíla Highlands, launched in 2019, has helped structure a local supply chain around the harvesting and valorization of aromatic and medicinal plants, including Ximenia. This initiative is built on a strong community-based approach, involving more than 70 small-scale producers and around a dozen nursery caretakers.
Women play a central role in this value chain, representing over 80% of the wild harvesters. Their traditional knowledge is both preserved and enhanced through training programs in food science, chemical analysis, and quality control, developed in partnership with local academic institutions.
From an environmental standpoint, this supply chain relies on 100% organic production, free of chemical inputs. It preserves natural cycles and helps prevent slash-and-burn practices. The program also includes concrete social actions, such as providing clean water to villages during the dry season and supporting young athletes through the Onda Sport Club in Luanda.
Is Ximenia oil “upcycled”?
Contrary to popular belief, Ximenia oil is not the result of an industrial upcycling process. In Angola, the fruit, known locally as mumpeke or omulela woyo mpeke, is neither consumed nor processed. The oil is extracted exclusively from the seed, following traditional methods passed down through generations.
Semi-nomadic communities mix this oil with clay to create a natural protective treatment applied to the skin and hair. This mixture acts as a natural sunscreen and thermal shield against intense heat. It is an ancestral, functional practice deeply rooted in local culture, not a modern industrial process.
Does Ximenia oil have a “botox-like” effect?
Although some claims suggest otherwise, there is no scientific evidence that Ximenia oil produces effects comparable to Botox. It contains no neuro-inhibitory or muscle-paralyzing compounds.
Its anti-aging benefits, however, are well established. Rich in oleic, nervonic, and ximenynic acids, as well as vitamin K1, this oil deeply hydrates the skin, repairs the barrier function, and improves elasticity. It stimulates microcirculation and provides strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The result is softer, smoother, and visibly revitalized skin, without any invasive action.
Ximenia americana oil embodies a vision of beauty that is both natural and responsible. Produced with respect for local communities and the environment, it demonstrates that cosmetic performance and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
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