Explainer | What is horse oil and why is it a popular skin treatment in East Asia?
Horse oil is said to intensely hydrate skin, fortify hair, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles, but research is lacking on such claims
In the ever-evolving world of beauty, where snail mucin, donkey milk, bee venom and salmon sperm have all had their moment, another unconventional ingredient has long been galloping under the spotlight: horse oil.
While the hype has tempered since the late 2010s, when it was driven by the explosive worldwide popularity of K-beauty and J-beauty trends, horse oil has never disappeared from cosmetic markets and remains a steady top-selling staple in East Asia.
It occupies a space between affordable essential and niche luxury in pharmacies and beauty shops in Hong Kong. It is stocked alongside everyday essentials in major chemist chains, as well as in curated sections of speciality cosmetic stores, with prices ranging from less than HK$100 (US$13) for a basic tube to several hundred dollars for premium brands.
But what exactly is horse oil?
Rendered from fat found in the mane, tail root and abdomen, horse oil is a by-product of the meat industry in regions around Europe and Asia. In Japan, where dishes such as basashi – horse sashimi – are eaten, horse oil is widely available.