{"id":605168763186,"title":"Kerassentials Review: Can Essential Oil Treat Fungus?","created_at":"2023-03-31T21:54:27-04:00","body_html":"\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Kerassentials Review: Can Essential Oil Treat Fungus?\",\n \"keywords\": \"kerassentials, kerassentials review, kerassentials reviews, kerassentials side effects, kerassentials scam, kerassentials amazon, kerassentials oil, kerassentials independent reviews, kerassentials customer reviews, kerassentials for toenail fungus, kerassentials better business bureau, kerassentials walmart, kerassentials for toenail fungus reviews\",\n \"description\": \"Our research team analyzes the ingredients in Kerassentials based on medical studies to give our take on whether it's likely to reduce foot and skin fungus or if it's a waste of money. We explain why buying this product on the Amazon may be dangerous.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/kerassentials-review\",\n\"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"editor\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Nely Aldrich\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": [\n \"M.D.\",\n \"FAAD\"\n ],\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/nely-aldrich\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.healthgrades.com\/physician\/dr-nely-aldrich-gf53b\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nely-aldrich-16b99530\/\"\n ],\n \"jobTitle\": \"Dermatology Reviewer\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"skincare, anti-aging, wrinkles, acne, moisturizer, clinical research, clinical trials, hair, aging, sunscreen, soap\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center\",\n \"Northeast Ohio Medical University\",\n \"Kent State University\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n },\n\"image\": {\n\"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Kerassentials_Thumbnail.png?v=1680314274\",\n\"width\": \"3584\",\n\"height\": \"3584\"\n},\n\"citation\": [\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26902505\/\", \n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18211360\/\",\n\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/crystal-flush-review\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16178366\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31470085\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19952013\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/id\/boise\/profile\/health-and-wellness\/buygoods-inc-1296-1000048839\",\n\"https:\/\/thekerassentials.com\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15078424\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4808662\/\"\n],\n\"mentions\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"undecylenic acid\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"tea tree oil\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"lavender oil\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Amazon\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"BuyGoods\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"EELEAN\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"BBB\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"American Academy of Dermatology\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Walmart\"\n }\n],\n\"datePublished\": \"2023-03-31\",\n\"copyrightHolder\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n},\n\"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/\",\n \"description\": \"Illuminate Labs is the most transparent supplement company in the U.S., and is a leading publisher of research-based health information.\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"supplements, science, nutrition, exercise, health, medication, pharmaceutical, wellness, diet, weight loss, medical research\",\n \"publishingPrinciples\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/editorial-guidelines\",\n \"memberOf\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"U.S. Chamber of Commerce\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uschamber.com\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Certified B Corp\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Natural Products Association\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.npanational.org\/\"\n }\n ],\n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Illuminate_Labs_Favicon_48x48_7595c3cc-e27b-47b8-a4fe-edcc7ed9b29a.png?v=1666502785\", \n \"width\": 48,\n \"height\": 48\n},\n \"foundingDate\": \"2019-01-30\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/illuminate-labs-supplements\",\n \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCpgSJAsIPb-fZ25djtTxBEA\"\n ]\n }\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Kerassentials_Review_Article_Header_Image_Optimized.png?v=1680313857\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dc\"\u003eK\u003c\/span\u003eerassentials is an antifungal oil that’s applied to nails and skin. The brand claims that their formula is “unlike anything you’ve ever tried” and is made from “a bespoke proprietary formula of 4 special high-quality oils.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBut does Kerassentials contain ingredients proven in medical studies to reduce fungus? Does it contain any potentially unhealthy or toxic additive ingredients? Why is it a risk to purchase this product on Amazon? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of Kerassentials?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we analyze the ingredients in Kerassentials based on medical studies to give our take on whether the product is likely to be effective or if it’s a waste of money.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe’ll also explain why we think purchasing it on Amazon is riskier than purchasing from the brand’s official website, and feature real, unsponsored Kerassentials user reviews.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIngredient Analysis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" alt=\"Kerassentials ingredients\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Kerassentials_Ingredients_Optimized.png?v=1680313884\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe ingredients in Kerassentials are shown above. This formulation does contain some research-backed ingredients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUndecylenic acid\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is the first active ingredient, and this chemical compound which is derived from castor oil has been shown in a 2016 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26902505\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to be highly effective in controlling levels of at least one pathogenic bacteria called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCandida albicans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e in a test setting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlaxseed\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e was shown to be effective against three different types of fungi in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18211360\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eJournal of Food Science\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTea tree oil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is one of the most well-studied natural antifungals. As referenced in our review of another antifungal product called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/crystal-flush-review\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCrystal Flush\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, tea tree oil is clinically proven to reduce levels of a variety of fungi when applied topically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLavender oil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e was shown in a 2005 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16178366\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to “reduce fungal progression.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLemongrass oil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is not only an effective antifungal, but also was shown in a 2020 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31470085\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to have a “biofilm inhibitory effect,” and the study authors suggested that this natural ingredient is so highly effective that it may have applications in desanitizing medical devices.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eManuka oil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e was found in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19952013\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to reduce fungus levels \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein vitro\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e (test tube setting) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein vivo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e (in live animals). This is an impressive result, given that most antifungal trials are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein vitro\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e only.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe good news about this product is that it’s entirely free of questionable additives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverall, we consider Kerassentials likely to be effective as a topical antifungal. The efficacy of topical antifungals for toenails is lower than oral prescription treatments prescribed by a dermatologist, but they have the benefit of not causing serious side effects like liver damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s one of the most potent over-the-counter (OTC) antifungals that we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health, and has a better formulation than every other antifungal brand reviewed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe would recommend this product based on its formulation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBut why is it safer to purchase Kerassentials on the brand’s website than on Amazon? We’ll explain in the next section.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy We Recommend Avoiding Kerassentials on Amazon\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAccording to the footer of the Kerassentials website, the product appears to be retailed by a company called “BuyGoods.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHowever, the brand names associated with all of the Kerassentials products on Amazon vary, as shown below:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" alt=\"Kerassentials Amazon seller\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Kerassentials_Amazon_Seller_Optimized.png?v=1680313934\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou can see in the screenshot above that the brand associated with the most-reviewed Kerassentials product on Amazon is “EELEAN.” But we have never heard of that brand before nor is it mentioned on the official Kerassentials website, which is a red flag in our opinion about a potential scam product.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe risk of counterfeit or otherwise damaged goods, as well as the risk of diminished legal recourse, is increased when purchasing from an unverified, third-party seller on Amazon.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is why we recommend purchasing directly from a manufacturer whenever possible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s also worth noting that there is no mention of Amazon on the Kerassentials website, which suggests that none of the brands selling products labeled “Kerassentials” on Amazon are authorized distributors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBut how do real users rate and describe the effects of Kerassentials? We’ll review in the next section.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReal, Unsponsored Kerassentials User Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAmazon is a better resource for honest customer reviews than a brand’s website in our opinion. Although we can’t 100% verify that the Kerassential’s product on Amazon is the same as the one on the brand’s official website, it can still be a useful resource for prospective buyers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKerassentials has currently been reviewed 82 times on Amazon with an average review rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe top positive review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named “Katie South” who gives the product a 4-star rating and claims it’s been effective over time as her nails grow out: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“My toenails do look much better as they are growing out. Somewhat cleaner looking. I just need to use it more.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe top negative review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named “Teresa Baran” who claims this may be a counterfeit product:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“This product has no ingredients listed on the bottle, who know where it is made. It’s supposed to be oils it is the consistency of water and has no smell. This is a scam and Amazon should vet the products before allowing these companies to sell items. Do not buy!”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBuyGoods, the official retailer of Kerassentials, has a surprisingly high rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/id\/boise\/profile\/health-and-wellness\/buygoods-inc-1296-1000048839\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e of 4.26 out of 5 stars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe brand appears to respond to the majority of customer feedback and complaints which is the sign of a high-quality brand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow Can You Prevent Nail Fungus?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTreating toenail fungus is a priority once it’s already a problem, but once it resolves, prevention becomes incredibly important to avoid a future infection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA video from the American Academy of Dermatology is under 3 minutes long and includes six tips on preventing toenail fungus:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f1X5aPTzqTw\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhere to Buy Kerassentials for the Best Price\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKerassentials is sold at a variety of online retailers. Here’s a price breakdown (per bottle) at the time of publishing this article:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBrand website: $49 (free shipping, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kerassentials-website.com\/\"\u003elink\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWalmart: $28.95 (unofficial seller, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/ip\/Kerassentials-Toenail-Treatment-Oil-May-Support-Strong-Healthy-Natural-Nails\/1030818973\"\u003elink\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAmazon (2-pack): \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e$10.88 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e (unofficial seller, \u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/46cSUOl\"\u003elink\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe extreme price discrepancy (Kerassentials is 88% cheaper on Amazon than on the brand’s website) is another red flag in our opinion that it may be a counterfeit product.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe official Kerassentials website is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thekerassentials.com\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, and that’s where we would recommend consumers intent on purchasing this product visit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill Kerassentials Cause Side Effects?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKerassentials doesn’t appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, so it’s impossible to say for certain whether or not the product will cause side effects. However, we can make an educated guess based on its ingredients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhile all of the active ingredients in Kerassentials are naturally-derived, essential oils can irritate the skin if not properly diluted. The Kerassentials website does not publish the concentration of each essential oil in the formulation, which suggests that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eindividuals with sensitive skin may wish to avoid this product.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHowever, given that there are no harmful ingredients, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ewe consider Kerassentials unlikely to cause any side effects in healthy adults.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is one of the most non-toxic and safe OTC antifungal formulations that we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOur Clean Antifungal Picks\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/MCT_Oil_Image_8972b427-131a-4cb9-a18d-04b91b570afc.png?v=1700895076\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are some natural compounds with promising early research for treating fungus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil\u003c\/strong\u003e was shown in a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/pmid\/35631300\/\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epublished in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eNutrients\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ejournal to be an effective oral antifungal:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMCT holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for reducing fungal colonization without significant impact on the bacterial composition of the host gastrointestinal tract.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bulletproof.fdf2.net\/4eNQ4M\" rel=\"sponsored\"\u003eBulletproof MCT Oil\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis our top MCT oil pick, because its only ingredient is MCT oil derived from coconuts and it has zero additives. It currently retails for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eunder $16\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoconut oil\u003c\/strong\u003e may be an effective topical antifungal agent, as a 2007\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17651080\/\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003econcluded that \"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCoconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3jObsS9\"\u003eDr. Bronner's Organic Coconut Oil\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is our top coconut oil pick, as it's packaged in glass, virgin (meaning it's not heat-treated), and has no questionable additive ingredients. The only ingredient is organic coconut oil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe're not suggesting that either of these products should be used to treat any disease or health condition; just sharing promising research on two natural compounds that individuals may wish to speak with their doctor or dermatologist about.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePros and Cons of Kerassentials\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHere are the pros and cons of Kerassentials as a brand in our opinion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEffective formulation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNo questionable additives\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShould reduce fungus levels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eManufacturer appears high-quality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eVery expensive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEssential oil concentrations not disclosed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNot clinically proven to work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAmazon resellers may be illegitimate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKerassentials is the best natural antifungal that we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health. We recommend this brand and consider it likely to be effective for the reduction of fungus when applied topically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis product contains a number of natural ingredients including lavender oil and manuka oil which are shown in clinical trials to reduce fungus levels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThere are no harmful filler ingredients in Kerassentials, although the brand fails to clearly publish the essential oil concentrations. Since undiluted or poorly diluted essential oils can irritate the skin, this may pose an issue for individuals with sensitive skin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe do not consider Kerassentials likely to cause side effects in the average, healthy adult.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor consumers intent on purchasing Kerassentials, we recommend doing so on the brand’s official website rather than on Amazon or Walmart, because it appears the third-party sellers on those two platforms may be illegitimate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":49281925193,"author":"Calloway Cook","user_id":26601750601,"published_at":"2023-03-31T22:03:28-04:00","updated_at":"2024-01-24T21:19:18-05:00","summary_html":"We analyze the ingredients in Kerassentials based on medical studies to give our take on whether it's likely to reduce foot and skin fungus or if it's a waste of money. We explain why buying this product on the Amazon may be dangerous.","template_suffix":"","handle":"kerassentials-review","tags":"_related:athlete's-foot"}

Kerassentials Review: Can Essential Oil Treat Fungus?

Kerassentials Review: Can Essential Oil Treat Fungus?


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Kerassentials is an antifungal oil that’s applied to nails and skin. The brand claims that their formula is “unlike anything you’ve ever tried” and is made from “a bespoke proprietary formula of 4 special high-quality oils.”

But does Kerassentials contain ingredients proven in medical studies to reduce fungus? Does it contain any potentially unhealthy or toxic additive ingredients? Why is it a risk to purchase this product on Amazon? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of Kerassentials?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we analyze the ingredients in Kerassentials based on medical studies to give our take on whether the product is likely to be effective or if it’s a waste of money.

We’ll also explain why we think purchasing it on Amazon is riskier than purchasing from the brand’s official website, and feature real, unsponsored Kerassentials user reviews.

Ingredient Analysis

Kerassentials ingredients

The ingredients in Kerassentials are shown above. This formulation does contain some research-backed ingredients.

Undecylenic acid is the first active ingredient, and this chemical compound which is derived from castor oil has been shown in a 2016 clinical trial to be highly effective in controlling levels of at least one pathogenic bacteria called Candida albicans in a test setting.

Flaxseed was shown to be effective against three different types of fungi in a clinical trial published in the Journal of Food Science.

Tea tree oil is one of the most well-studied natural antifungals. As referenced in our review of another antifungal product called Crystal Flush, tea tree oil is clinically proven to reduce levels of a variety of fungi when applied topically.

Lavender oil was shown in a 2005 clinical trial to “reduce fungal progression.”

Lemongrass oil is not only an effective antifungal, but also was shown in a 2020 clinical trial to have a “biofilm inhibitory effect,” and the study authors suggested that this natural ingredient is so highly effective that it may have applications in desanitizing medical devices.

Manuka oil was found in a clinical trial published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy to reduce fungus levels in vitro (test tube setting) and in vivo (in live animals). This is an impressive result, given that most antifungal trials are in vitro only.

The good news about this product is that it’s entirely free of questionable additives.

Overall, we consider Kerassentials likely to be effective as a topical antifungal. The efficacy of topical antifungals for toenails is lower than oral prescription treatments prescribed by a dermatologist, but they have the benefit of not causing serious side effects like liver damage.

It’s one of the most potent over-the-counter (OTC) antifungals that we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health, and has a better formulation than every other antifungal brand reviewed.

We would recommend this product based on its formulation.

But why is it safer to purchase Kerassentials on the brand’s website than on Amazon? We’ll explain in the next section.

Why We Recommend Avoiding Kerassentials on Amazon

According to the footer of the Kerassentials website, the product appears to be retailed by a company called “BuyGoods.”

However, the brand names associated with all of the Kerassentials products on Amazon vary, as shown below:

Kerassentials Amazon seller

You can see in the screenshot above that the brand associated with the most-reviewed Kerassentials product on Amazon is “EELEAN.” But we have never heard of that brand before nor is it mentioned on the official Kerassentials website, which is a red flag in our opinion about a potential scam product.

The risk of counterfeit or otherwise damaged goods, as well as the risk of diminished legal recourse, is increased when purchasing from an unverified, third-party seller on Amazon.

This is why we recommend purchasing directly from a manufacturer whenever possible.

It’s also worth noting that there is no mention of Amazon on the Kerassentials website, which suggests that none of the brands selling products labeled “Kerassentials” on Amazon are authorized distributors.

But how do real users rate and describe the effects of Kerassentials? We’ll review in the next section.

Real, Unsponsored Kerassentials User Reviews

Amazon is a better resource for honest customer reviews than a brand’s website in our opinion. Although we can’t 100% verify that the Kerassential’s product on Amazon is the same as the one on the brand’s official website, it can still be a useful resource for prospective buyers.

Kerassentials has currently been reviewed 82 times on Amazon with an average review rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

The top positive review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named “Katie South” who gives the product a 4-star rating and claims it’s been effective over time as her nails grow out: 

“My toenails do look much better as they are growing out. Somewhat cleaner looking. I just need to use it more.”

The top negative review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named “Teresa Baran” who claims this may be a counterfeit product:

“This product has no ingredients listed on the bottle, who know where it is made. It’s supposed to be oils it is the consistency of water and has no smell. This is a scam and Amazon should vet the products before allowing these companies to sell items. Do not buy!”

BuyGoods, the official retailer of Kerassentials, has a surprisingly high rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website of 4.26 out of 5 stars.

The brand appears to respond to the majority of customer feedback and complaints which is the sign of a high-quality brand.

How Can You Prevent Nail Fungus?

Treating toenail fungus is a priority once it’s already a problem, but once it resolves, prevention becomes incredibly important to avoid a future infection.

A video from the American Academy of Dermatology is under 3 minutes long and includes six tips on preventing toenail fungus:

Where to Buy Kerassentials for the Best Price

Kerassentials is sold at a variety of online retailers. Here’s a price breakdown (per bottle) at the time of publishing this article:

Brand website: $49 (free shipping, link)

Walmart: $28.95 (unofficial seller, link)

Amazon (2-pack): $10.88  (unofficial seller, link)

The extreme price discrepancy (Kerassentials is 88% cheaper on Amazon than on the brand’s website) is another red flag in our opinion that it may be a counterfeit product.

The official Kerassentials website is here, and that’s where we would recommend consumers intent on purchasing this product visit.

Will Kerassentials Cause Side Effects?

Kerassentials doesn’t appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, so it’s impossible to say for certain whether or not the product will cause side effects. However, we can make an educated guess based on its ingredients.

While all of the active ingredients in Kerassentials are naturally-derived, essential oils can irritate the skin if not properly diluted. The Kerassentials website does not publish the concentration of each essential oil in the formulation, which suggests that individuals with sensitive skin may wish to avoid this product.

However, given that there are no harmful ingredients, we consider Kerassentials unlikely to cause any side effects in healthy adults.

This is one of the most non-toxic and safe OTC antifungal formulations that we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health.

Our Clean Antifungal Picks

There are some natural compounds with promising early research for treating fungus.

Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil was shown in a clinical trial published in the Nutrients journal to be an effective oral antifungal:

"MCT holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for reducing fungal colonization without significant impact on the bacterial composition of the host gastrointestinal tract."

Bulletproof MCT Oil is our top MCT oil pick, because its only ingredient is MCT oil derived from coconuts and it has zero additives. It currently retails for under $16.

Coconut oil may be an effective topical antifungal agent, as a 2007 medical review concluded that "Coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species."

Dr. Bronner's Organic Coconut Oil is our top coconut oil pick, as it's packaged in glass, virgin (meaning it's not heat-treated), and has no questionable additive ingredients. The only ingredient is organic coconut oil.

We're not suggesting that either of these products should be used to treat any disease or health condition; just sharing promising research on two natural compounds that individuals may wish to speak with their doctor or dermatologist about.

Pros and Cons of Kerassentials

Here are the pros and cons of Kerassentials as a brand in our opinion:

Pros:

  • Effective formulation
  • No questionable additives
  • Should reduce fungus levels
  • Manufacturer appears high-quality

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Essential oil concentrations not disclosed
  • Not clinically proven to work
  • Amazon resellers may be illegitimate
Stay up-to-date on our research reviews

Conclusion

Kerassentials is the best natural antifungal that we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health. We recommend this brand and consider it likely to be effective for the reduction of fungus when applied topically.

This product contains a number of natural ingredients including lavender oil and manuka oil which are shown in clinical trials to reduce fungus levels.

There are no harmful filler ingredients in Kerassentials, although the brand fails to clearly publish the essential oil concentrations. Since undiluted or poorly diluted essential oils can irritate the skin, this may pose an issue for individuals with sensitive skin.

We do not consider Kerassentials likely to cause side effects in the average, healthy adult.

For consumers intent on purchasing Kerassentials, we recommend doing so on the brand’s official website rather than on Amazon or Walmart, because it appears the third-party sellers on those two platforms may be illegitimate.




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