How to Use Gac Oil for Cooking, Skincare, and Health

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

Native to Southeast Asia, Gac fruit oil boasts a beta-carotene content over ten times higher than carrots and significantly more lycopene than tomatoes. This powerful oil, prized for its vibrant red color and rich nutrients, is a versatile ingredient for both culinary and cosmetic applications.

Quick Summary

An exploration of gac oil's versatile applications, from enhancing culinary dishes with vibrant color and nutrients to providing powerful antioxidant benefits for skin health. Proper usage methods for both oral consumption and topical application are detailed.

Key Points

Low-Heat Cooking: Add Gac oil at the end of cooking for dishes like rice, porridge, and stir-fries to protect heat-sensitive vitamins.
Topical Skincare: Apply Gac oil directly to the skin or use in DIY face masks for anti-aging, moisturizing, and anti-acne benefits.
High in Antioxidants: Gac oil is a powerful source of beta-carotene and lycopene, promoting overall health, vision, and skin protection.
Supplement Form: Convenient capsules are available for consistent and easy intake of Gac oil's nutritional benefits.
Proper Storage: Store Gac oil in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and maintain its potency.
Versatile Uses: Suitable for both culinary and cosmetic applications, offering a range of internal and external health advantages.

Culinary Uses: Cooking with Gac Oil

For centuries, Gac oil has been a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Vietnam, where it is used to prepare the traditional red sticky rice dish, xôi gấc. Its rich, nutty flavor and vibrant color make it a unique addition to many modern dishes. To preserve its high content of heat-sensitive vitamins A and E, it is crucial to use Gac oil correctly. The key rule is to add it at the very end of the cooking process, off the heat, or to use it in raw preparations like salads.

Adding Gac Oil to Dishes

For Rice: After the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and mix in Gac oil while it is still hot. This not only imparts a beautiful red-orange hue but also infuses it with nutrients. The famous xôi gấc follows this principle, mixing the oil with glutinous rice before a final, short steam.
For Soups and Porridge: Add Gac oil into your bowl of soup or porridge just before serving. The warmth of the liquid will distribute the oil without degrading its nutritional value. This is a great way to boost the nutritional profile of meals for children and convalescing adults.
For Stir-Fries: Add Gac oil right after turning off the heat, mixing it quickly into the dish. The residual heat will be enough to incorporate the oil, enhancing color and aroma without destroying the beneficial antioxidants.
For Salads and Dressings: Whisk Gac oil into your salad dressings or drizzle it directly over salads for a flavorful, nutrient-dense addition. For example, a simple cucumber salad can be elevated with Gac oil mixed with lemon juice and seasoning.

Usage

While Gac oil is a healthy addition, it's potent and moderation is key. For a more economical approach or to mellow its flavor, you can mix it with other vegetable oils in a ratio of Gac oil to other oil.

Skincare Applications: Gac Oil for Glowing Skin

Beyond the kitchen, Gac oil is a potent natural ingredient for skincare, revered for its anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Its rich blend of antioxidants helps protect skin from environmental damage, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and soothes dry, irritated skin.

Direct Application Methods

Facial Moisturizer: After cleansing your face, apply a few drops of Gac oil onto your fingertips. Gently massage a thin layer over your skin, allowing the nutrients to absorb for a period of time. Pat off any excess oil with a tissue, then proceed with your regular skincare routine. For deep moisturization, you can even use it as a sleeping mask, leaving a thin layer on overnight.
Spot Treatment: Use a Q-tip to apply a small amount directly to acne spots or areas of discoloration like dark spots or melasma. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce swelling and even out skin tone.
Lip Care: Gac oil helps soften and moisturize lips, reducing dryness and darkness. Apply a few drops to your lips and massage gently.

DIY Gac Oil Face Masks

Moisturizing Mask: Mix Gac oil with honey or unsweetened yogurt to create a nourishing mask. Apply to your face, leave for a period of time, and rinse with warm water. This can be repeated periodically.
Brightening Mask: Combine Gac oil with powdered rose petals or turmeric for a mask that helps with skin brightness and texture.

Gac Oil Supplementation

For those seeking a convenient way to harness Gac oil's health benefits, it is widely available in capsule form. This method ensures consistent and concentrated doses of nutrients like beta-carotene and lycopene, promoting overall wellness from within. Gac oil supplementation is particularly recommended for eye health, immune system support, and anti-aging effects. For more detailed information on health benefits, Vinmec offers insights into the wider advantages of this fruit.

Gac Oil vs. Other Nutrient-Dense Oils


Feature	Gac Oil	Carrot Seed Oil	Rosehip Oil
Primary Nutrients	Extremely high in Beta-Carotene & Lycopene, Vitamin E, Fatty Acids	Rich in Vitamin A & Beta-Carotene	High in Vitamin C & Fatty Acids (Omega-3, 6)
Key Benefits	Vision health, immunity, anti-aging, skincare, cardiovascular health	Skin toning, anti-aging, skin cell regeneration, antioxidant protection	Fades scars & hyperpigmentation, anti-aging, skin regeneration
Best For	Overall health, specific antioxidant support, vibrant food coloring	Soothing mature or sun-damaged skin, balancing oily skin	Treating scars, fine lines, and evening skin tone
Usage Method	Culinary (low heat), Topical, Capsules	Topical only, diluted with carrier oil due to potency	Topical (can be used neat or mixed)

How to Store Gac Oil Properly

Correct storage is essential for maintaining the potency and freshness of Gac oil. Because it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and sensitive carotenoids, it is susceptible to oxidation from light and heat.

Container: Always store Gac oil in a dark, airtight glass bottle to protect it from light.
Location: Keep the oil in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources, such as kitchen stoves.
Shelf Life: After opening, use the oil within a certain timeframe for optimal quality and nutritional value. Storing it correctly will help prevent rancidity and nutrient loss.

Conclusion

Gac oil offers a potent, natural way to boost both internal health and external radiance. Its rich nutritional profile, particularly its high antioxidant content, makes it a valuable addition to your cooking and skincare regimen. By following best practices for low-heat culinary applications and proper topical use, you can safely integrate this "fruit from heaven" into your daily routine. Whether through vibrant rice dishes or nourishing facial masks, incorporating gac oil is a simple step toward embracing a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle. Always ensure proper storage to preserve its unique benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Gac oil extracted from the fruit's red aril is edible and safe for consumption. It has been used in Southeast Asian cuisine for centuries. Parts of the Gac fruit, like the seeds and rind, can be toxic and inedible, so it is important to only use oil extracted from the aril.

To preserve the heat-sensitive vitamins (A and E) in Gac oil, add it to your dishes at the end of the cooking process, when the heat is low or off. It can be mixed into hot rice, drizzled over soups, or stirred into finished stir-fries.

Yes, Gac oil can be applied directly to the skin as a moisturizer. After cleansing, massage a few drops onto the skin and let it absorb for a period of time before wiping off any excess. It is known to help with moisturizing, anti-aging, and skin brightening.

Gac oil is highly beneficial due to its antioxidant content (beta-carotene and lycopene). Benefits include enhanced vision, stronger immune system, improved digestive health, cardiovascular support, and anti-aging properties for the skin.

Store Gac oil in a dark glass bottle, tightly sealed, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, it's best to use the oil within a certain timeframe to ensure maximum quality and potency.

Gac oil is often added to milk, porridge, or flour for infants (from four months) to prevent vitamin A deficiency and promote healthy growth. The amount given should be carefully measured and can be mixed into food.

Gac oil is an exceptional source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This is a crucial nutrient for retinal health. Regular consumption can help prevent night blindness, dry eyes, and age-related eye diseases.