Sweet Bali High — New Juara Kartini Body Oil Celebrates Indonesian Culture and Tradition

Years ago I would’ve scoffed at the idea that one day I’d become a body oil enthusiast, oftentimes eschewing creamy lotions in favor of these liquid elixirs. And yet, once I worked past my preconceived notions regarding body oils —among them the idea that they’d sit atop my skin for hours, making me look like a drippy, greasy, soggy slice of cheese pizza, or that they’d somehow clog my pores and trigger epic head-to-toe breakouts — I discovered that the right product, one featuring a clever combination of botanical oils with lipid compositions mirroring those of the human sebum, could not only better hydrate my skin, but it could be absorbed quicker than most rich lotions and body butters. But, of course, not all body oils are created equal, nor do they all address the same concerns. Some are absorbed with greater ease, whereas others can take longer to fully seep into the skin. Some go beyond hydration to brighten skin tone, provide UV protection, and calm topical irritations. Nowadays, there are about as many body oil compositions as there are cocktail concoctions. Much like every mixologist takes pride on giving classic drinks like Mai Tais and Mojitos a modern twist, skincare experts take pride in creating signature body oils that the skin will gleefully drink up.

My skin is currently toasting the Juara Kartini Body Oil ($58 at SpaceNK.com), a delightful product named after Lady Kartini, a Javanese activist who, after becoming exposed to the writings and ideas of first-wave of feminism, dedicated her life to advocating for the right of all Indonesian women to pursue an education and arguing against such oppressive traditions as forced marriage. What’s the product’s connection to Kartini? Well, for starters, one of the primary ingredients is frangipani oil, which is derived from the plumeria alba flower that’s indigenous to Central America, Mexico, Brazil, and the Caribbean, but which is also prevalent in Indonesia, where it is revered. In Bali, the blossom is considered holy and often adorns the exterior of temples. Throughout her life, Kartini often wore  her hair in a low bun, adorning one side of the updo with white plumeria flowers. By naming this frangipani-centric oil after an Indonesian heroine, then, Juara is highlighting the bloom’s sacredness, celebrating Kartini’s own fondness for the flower, and honoring a powerful historical figure whose legacy should be examined with reverence.

As a skincare ingredient, frangipani oil is known to moisturize and offer UV protection, but its most enticing quality is its feminine aroma, a fresh and tropical floral scent that’s light and delicate and will likely make you think of summertime and lush island locales. In aromatherapy, frangipani oil is often touted for its ability to restore calm and to uplift one’s mood so, within the context of this formula, the act of massaging the oil into the skin can have similarly relaxing effects.

Another ingredient rooted in Indonesian culture is turmeric oil. For centuries, it’s been customary for royal and aristocratic brides-to-be to be covered in a ground turmeric powder on the morning of their nuptials so as to impart a coveted glow by the time of the ceremony. Nowadays, turmeric oil is used in skincare products designed to tackle hyperpigmentation, boost the skin’s luminosity, clear up acne, and reduce inflammation. Because it can regulate sebum production, turmeric oil is excellent for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Moreover, it contains curcumin, which fights the bacteria that often precedes an acne flare-up. Its high concentration of antioxidants, meanwhile, make it a powerhouse at fending off free radicals and preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots from foming.

The frangipani and turmeric oils are then accompanied by two other oils with distinctly tropical scents: passion fruit oil and coconut oil. Coconut oil has been touted for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, its moisturizing benefits, and its ability to deeply penetrate the skin and strengthen its natural barrier. Passion fruit oil, meanwhile, contains vitamins A and C, both of which are vital to stimulating collagen and elastin production, thereby leading to younger-looking skin. The carotenoids in passion fruit oil, meanwhile, function as antioxidants, protecting the skin from UV damage and pollution and, when converted into vitamin A, they help to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. The linoleic and oleic acids in the substance also give the skin a plumping effect, improving texture and smoothness. From a strictly olfactory stance, the fruitiness of the passion fruit oil, combined with the sweet, cookie-like aroma of the coconut oil, create a lovely framework for the delicate floral frangipani scent. The sweetness of these notes is then balanced by the slightly bitter, ginger-esque scent of the turmeric oil and the slightly nutty quality of the moringa oil in the formula.

Used in medicinal treatments since the height of the Roman empire, the oil extracted from the leaves and bark of the Moringa tree has been known to boast anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. Aromatherapy devotees even believe the oil can fend off depression. When applied topically, moringa oil helps to rejuvenate the skin thanks to plant proteins called cytokines that play a vital role in cell signaling and regulate cellular growth, proliferation and differentiation. When incorporated into skincare formulations, cytokines help to promote collagen production, stimulate pathways that lead to skin tissue repair, and delay cellular degradation. The vitamin C-rich oil also brightens the skin and helps to achieve a more even skin tone.

Last but not least, the Juara Kartini Oil contains sunflower seed oil, known for its vitamin E content and antioxidant-rich composition, and candlenut oil, otherwise known as kukui not oil. This oil is comprised of 19% oleic acid, 41% linoleic acid, and 27% linolenic acid and is touted for its emollient properties.

While all of these oils have proven skin benefits, it all comes down to the finished product and whether it delivers on all fronts — and the Juara Kartini Body Oil definitely does! First, because the plant, nut, and fruit oils chosen for the formula have a high percentage of linoleic acid (as opposed to oleic acid), the Juara body oil has a lighter consistency than many other body oils on the market and is delightfully fast-drying. For instance, linoleic acid accounts for about 68% of sunflower seed oil’s fatty acid content, 39% of rice bran oil’s fatty acid profile, and over 60% of kakui nut’s fatty acid composition. The exceptions here are avocado oil, coconut oil, and moringa oil, which have a higher concentration of oleic acid and thus take slightly longer to be absorbed by the skin. Still, as a whole, the blend of oils makes for a perfectly balanced product that’s not overly aqueous or painstakingly syrupy, that doesn’t disappear in seconds but also doesn’t linger for prolonged periods of time, and which feels weightless on the skin but leaves behind the faintest floral aroma.

If you apply the Juara Kartini Body Oil to damp skin right after showering and towel drying, you’ll be immediately swept off your feet by the beach-y smell of coconut and plumeria flowers and smitten by the golden sheen it imparts upon your skin. Later, once your skin has fully absorbed the body oil, you’ll marvel at the soft and velvety feel of your skin. Every time you apply the oil, you’ll feel like you’re giving your skin the royal treatment — and you’ll be totally correct!