The inquiry wasn't entirely unexpected. We at the 48grams blog had anticipated it. After a few introductory words, email writer Martha S. asked: "I've heard mastic oil is something very special. Do you have any information for me?" She had discovered the ingredient in the list of our Skin Repair Cream; the technical term there is "Pistacia Lentiscus Gum Oil." We're taking Martha's email as an opportunity to write once again about our valuable ingredients. After the anti-aging all-rounder OCP and nourishing edelweiss extract, it's now mastic oil's turn. An active ingredient that deserves a closer look…
Relief from acne and neurodermatitis
…and makes the author of this article feel a bit like a travel blogger. But more on that later. First, let's talk about the miracle tincture made from the resin of the tree species of the same name. Mastic oil is by no means a new discovery. But studies from universities in New York and Athens in recent years have revealed previously unknown properties: The viscous pulp has a powerful effect. Antimicrobial, It inhibits inflammation and has a regenerative effect on skin cells. A true all-rounder of nature – especially when it comes to skin problems! Dermatologists rely on the extracted oil to provide relief from acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
When the skin gets flakes
The reason is easily explained: The three aforementioned conditions are due to disruptions in the natural tissue function. In short: The skin can no longer fulfill its protective function. Moisture escapes too quickly – and this not only leads to a cracked, even flaky surface. That's bad enough, but without (or with only reduced) defenses, fungi, viruses, and bacteria can also quickly penetrate the skin. The result is an "inflammatory change." Cracks develop, sometimes accompanied by agonizing itching. Skincare products containing mastic can then be the solution. That's why skincare expert Bernd Kuhs has included the extract in his... 48grams Skin Repair Cream Processed: “There are few substances that are so effective. Mastic oil has been considered a youth elixir for the skin since ancient times.”
Mastic helps with illnesses
A tip for anyone who wants to do something good for themselves: Mastic isn't just used in creams and serums. It comes in a surprisingly wide range of forms: drops, lozenges, and powder. The tree's resin has a beneficial effect on numerous areas of the body. Studies from the University of Nottingham (published in "The New England Journal of Medicine") demonstrate that mastic is effective against Helicobacter pylori bacteria – and even small doses (one gram per day) can effectively alleviate gastrointestinal ulcers. But the list goes on: Mastic lowers blood cholesterol, and its active ingredients are also excellent for treating herpes infections and inflammation of the oral mucosa. In 2010, two researchers even claimed to have discovered an aphrodisiac effect. Anyone hoping that using our cream who also has these effects – we unfortunately have to disappoint them: 48grams is solely for skincare use.
The Tears of Chios
But now to the topic of the travel blog mentioned at the beginning… the time has come: The mastic tree (incidentally a close relative of the so-called true pistachio) grows everywhere where it is truly beautiful: in Southern Europe and in Palestine.The most potent mastic comes from the small Greek island of Chios. This manageable island in the northern Aegean Sea has been known since antiquity for its "tears of Chios." These are diamond-sized drops of hardened resin. Their formation is easily explained: Between June and September, the trees are incised with short, lengthwise cuts. The sticky liquid oozes from these "wounds" and falls to the ground. To prevent the often pea-sized drops from becoming contaminated, harvesters first sprinkle lime dust on the soil beneath the trees. After a drying period of just under two weeks, the "tears" can be collected by hand. For those interested in the facts: The resin from ten trees yields approximately one kilogram of resin beads.
Mastic – also a TikTok topic
The beads are then processed in numerous ways. To extract the fragrant oil, the "farmers" use a steam distillation process. In its raw state (mostly as a powder), mastic is often an ingredient in chewing gum, baked goods, and sweets. But the tree resin can also be found in violin varnish and as an ingredient in adhesives for glass or porcelain. Finally, a truly surprising detail from the world of social media. Anyone searching for the term "mastic" on TikTok will discover countless (sometimes very curious) videos. Most of them feature face masks. Devils, ghosts, or skulls stare back at us. And underneath, there's a note indicating that a skin adhesive with a high mastic content was used. For good reason: The resin naturally has a strong adhesive effect—and yet it also nourishes the facial skin. As mentioned before: Mastic is a true wonder substance of nature.
