Although plums are not the first fruit that I will grab out of the produce section, I must admit that I can get down with some from time to time. As I was trying to figure out why this seems to be the time of year when they pique my interest the most, I realized that they are in season between July and October (which means I tend to see them more in the store). Ah, so maybe that’s also why I’m such a fan of plum cobbler, plum salsa (hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it!), and, as of this year, plum oil, too, right when the seasons are ready to…shift.
To tell you the truth, I’m not exactly sure how I got sold on plum oil — all I know is that since I’ve been using it (especially on my skin), I have been seeing a major difference. So, if you’re looking for a new oil to try as the weather prepares to get cooler in temperature, give me a minute (or two) to give you some solid reasons why you should definitely add plum oil to your natural beauty regimen.
What Is Plum Oil?
Getty Images
Okay, so plum oil is pretty much what you think it is: it’s oil that derives from the kernels of plums. And since plums contain nutrients like vitamins A, multiple forms of B, C, and E, potassium, copper, and magnesium, along with fatty acids, anti-inflammatory, and hydration properties, it’s fast becoming a must-have oil for many popular beauty and cosmetic brands.
Not only that, but many also consider plum oil to be a “gourmet oil” for cooking and baking because it has virtually no flavor, contains zero trans fat, and it has a high-temperature point for frying. Believe it or not, some people even make homemade ice cream with plum oil (no joke). You can check out a recipe here.
As far as where to purchase plum oil, let me just say off the rip that it’s not the cheapest oil in the world. Oh, but it is so worth it! As far as the brand that I personally use, it’s called Liquid Gold, and merchants on Amazon tend to sell a four-ounce bottle of it for like ten bucks (or 128 ounces for a little under seventy bucks). Walmart claims to carry a different kind of plum oil online (here); I’ve never purchased the brands that they carry before, but I’m just putting that out there as an FYI. I can totally vouch for the brand that I use, though — it’s light, deeply penetrating, and gives my skin a healthy glow.
That being said, let’s get into why I think plum oil is the ultimate beauty oil for the fall season and beyond.
How Plum Oil Benefits Your Skin
Getty Images
What first got me into plum oil was that I was looking for a sealant oil for my skin; meaning, I was looking for a lightweight oil that I could apply to my skin right when I got out of the shower so that I could “lock in” hydration and not have to apply any lotion (I haven’t used lotion in years at this point). What sold me on plum oil is what it did for my back. My skin is particularly dry back there, and so, between how moisturized my back felt along with how plum oil seemed to fade any discoloration I had without breaking out my skin in the process — yeah, that made it a fan favorite right out the gate.
I’m not alone. Plum oil is well-known for reducing oxidative skin stress, repairing damaged skin cells, balancing sebum production, and helping to heal acne and the marks it leaves behind. Plum oil also stimulates the production of collagen (so that your skin is able to look younger longer) and it doesn’t clog pores in the process. So, if you happen to have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, this is the oil for you.
How Plum Oil Benefits Your Hair
Getty Images
Since plum oil won’t clog up your pores, this means that it also won’t clog up your hair follicles, which makes it a great oil if you’re looking for one that will help to prevent dry scalp or if you want a base for a hot oil treatment (which are always awesome because they can increase blood circulation to your scalp, revive dry and brittle hair and help to strengthen the roots of your hair over time).
Other ways that plum oil does wonders for your hair is if you happen to have tresses that are color-treated or you tend to apply heat on a semi-regular basis, the linoleic acid and vitamin E that’s in plum oil can add hydration to your hair, protect it from thermal heat and even reduce your chances of encountering split ends. Personally, although I’ve just recently been using plum oil on my own locks, I have noticed that my ends feel softer when I put some plum oil on them at night.
I’ve also used it as an oil that I’ve applied to my hair before shampooing it, and it’s so much easier to detangle as a direct result. Yeah, more and more, plum oil and I are becoming the best of friends.
How Plum Oil Benefits Your Nails
Getty Images
Something else that plums have in them is stearic acid. It’s a type of fatty acid that retains moisture, helps to reduce eczema-related symptoms, and reduces inflammation. On your nails, this all can be beneficial because the oil can help your nails from drying out, keep your cuticles soft (raggedy cuticles are the whole worst!), and help to keep your nails strong and flexible (so that they won’t be so prone to breakage). My recommendation would be to rub a bit of pure, warm plum oil on your nails and cuticles every other night before turning in.
_____
Now, I’m hoping that it goes without saying that if you’re allergic to plums, plum oil is something that you should take a pass on. For everyone else, though — if, like me, you can get down with snacking on a plum sometimes, why not take it up a notch and invest in some of this oil for the sake of your skin, hair, and nails? For the longest, my favorite beauty oil has been rosemary… Oh, but plum oil is gaining on it — and that is really saying something!
C’mon sis, try a bottle. If it doesn’t work out, hit me up, and I’ll let you know where to send it to me, chile (I’m not kidding either!). Something tells me that you’ll enjoy it, though. Just in time for fall.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by FG Trade/Getty Images
RELATED
Although it’s pretty customary for me to present some spring-themed content (more to come on that, by the way), this time, I wanted to offer up a semi-brief 10-point plan for making the most ofMarch 20-June 20, 2025. Because since time is moving so swiftly, now more than ever, it’s important to make the absolute most of each and every day.
And so, as far as this spring is concerned, here are some ways to do exactly that, sis.
1. Take Advantage of the “Extra” Hour
Unsplash
If you’ve ever wondered about the backstory of daylight savings, in 1918, the Standard Time Act was introduced in order for us to have an extra hour of sunlight. And while the feelings about daylight savings time are a bit of a mixed bag (for instance, some studies say that it reduces productivity and disrupts sleeping patterns), if you’re someone who feels more energized when the sun is out, you prefer to drive when it’s brighter outside and/or you need the sun for the sake of your mental health (because it sunlight does help to decrease depression-related symptoms) — use “springing forward” as an opportunity to take advantage of all of this.
Because, when you have a full to-do list on a daily basis, you never know what that extra hour can help you to accomplish. Real talk.
2. Get More Vitamin D into Your System
Getty Images
Speaking of more sunlight, as the days get longer, why not take walks after dinner or enjoy a cocktail or mocktail in your backyard? Both of these options are very easy ways to get more vitamin D into your system — and that’s especially important for us as Black women because our extra melanin makes it harder for our skin to absorb the vitamin D that comes from the sun.
That said, since vitamin D helps to boost immunity, fight off heart disease, regulate our moods, aid in weight loss, and strengthen bones and muscles and the the sun is getting brighter and the weather is getting warmer as we speak, why not absorb all of the benefits of that vitamin D (from the sun) has to offer — just as soon as you possibly can?
3. Become More Creative
Unsplash
Did you know that, as it gets warmer outside, your dopamine levels start to increase? This is cool to know because dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a direct role when it comes to your moods, how you experience pleasure, your attention span, your memories, and your ability to learn. And that’s why there is quite a bit of data that says spring can help you to become a more creative individual.
So, if you’ve been thinking about taking an art class, launching a website or even just writing a poem or song, this would be the time of year to do it. Why wait?
4. Be Open to a (More) Romantic Relationship
Getty Images
Here’s something that might trip you out. If you’re starting to think more about dating, commitment, and/or sex right through here, the spring season may have something to do with that. Yep, according to science, during the wintertime, your serotonin levels are lower than they are during the warmer months. And since serotonin (a natural body chemical) plays a role in things like your mood and even your libido, if someone (you trust) wants to set you up on a blind date — why not go? You never know what the spring season may bring you. #wink
5. Realize That Humidity Does Have Beauty Benefits
Unsplash
As it gets warmer, it’s pretty common for humidity to go up a notch too. And since humidity levels are simply based on the amount of water vapors that are in the air at any given time, your skin can certainly reap some of the rewards of there being more moisture in the air. Humidity can give your skin more hydration. Humidity can help new skin cells to turnover at an accelerated rate. Humidity can even slow down the signs of aging. And all of this is just one more reason to spend more time outdoors (with some sunscreen on your face and body, of course).
6. Spring Cleaning Can Get Things (Back) in Order
Unsplash
Although many people think about hitting those baseboards whenever spring cleaning comes to mind, I’ve written articles for the platform like “Yes Couples, You Can 'Spring Clean' Your Sex Life” and “Let's Finally 'Spring Clean' ALL Of Our Exes Out Of Our Lives, Shall We?” as a reminder that, at the end of the day, spring cleaning should really be about (re)organizing your home and your life, in general.
This includes cleaning up your house; putting away winter clothes; clearing out emails and texts that you no longer need; reevaluating your relationships; setting some new goals when it comes to your purpose, passion, and career, and cultivating a schedule that will help you to make the most of your time.
7. Enjoy Your Local Farmers Market
Unsplash
Apples, apricots, avocados, cabbage, collard greens, kale, garlic, pineapples, strawberries and turnips. Wanna know something that all of these foods have in common? They’re all in season in the springtime. Know what else? There’s a really good chance that you’ll be able to find them at your local farmers market.
I adore the farmers market for a few reasons. For one thing, the produce tends to be fresher than it is at the grocery store. Another thing? Oftentimes everything is cheaper. Not to mention the fact that by shopping at a farmers market, you are literally supporting the local farmers in your area. Plus, it can be an awesome date experience. Enjoy a couple of hours perusing the market and, if things go really well there, cook some of the things that you purchased and have a picnic later on. Perfection.
8. Spend (More) Time with Your Homies
Getty Images
Quality time is something that we all need when it comes to nurturing our friendships. So, also use the spring season to hang out with your peeps more. Have a rooftop dinner. Go to the zoo. See a play or movie together in the park. Enjoy wine tasting, miniature golf, or go hiking. TIME once published an article entitled, “Why Spending Time with Friends Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health.” Check it out when you get a chance. Then send your friends an invite to welcome the new season in.
9. Embrace the Extra Safety
Getty Images
Guess what else is pretty cool about spring — it’s reportedly the time of year when the least crime occurs. Interestingly enough, although the summertime is when quite a bit of crime goes down, the spring season is when (for instance), your car is least likely to be broken into. Just one more reason to feel pretty good about being outdoors right now.
10. Start Over. That’s What Spring Means.
Unsplash
I’m pretty big on symbolism and the spring season certainly has some. Spring represents things like rebirth, renewal, starting over and even finding new love. So, if you’ve been feeling like you’re in a bit of a rut as of late and you’re ready for a change, the spring season comes with the type of energy that can encourage and inspire you.
A poet by the name of Christian Rossetti once said, “Spring is when life’s alive in everything.” Plant some seeds of newness in your life — watch how spring blooms for you once you do. Happy Spring, y’all!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Dani DG/Getty Images