Ostrich Oil, 60 ml

An ostrich oil sold under the El Nile Horas name. Ostrich oil is made from ostrich fat, so it is an animal oil, not a plant oil. The front of the box calls it a natural premium oil, cold pressed, and gives the size, 60 ml. It comes in a black box lettered in gold, with the brand's triangle, a small plant sprig and the Eye of Horus at the top and a drawing of an ostrich above the name.

What it is for: the front of the box lists no uses, so these are the usual ways ostrich oil is used. It softens dry skin on the hands, elbows, knees and heels; it adds softness and shine to dry hair ends; and it softens dry cuticles and the skin around the nails. It is a cosmetic: it works on how skin and hair look and feel.

Use a little at a time. After a shower, warm two or three drops between your palms and smooth them into skin that is still slightly damp, on the hands, elbows, knees or heels, until the shine has gone. For dry ends, one or two drops on dry hair are enough. For the nails, rub one drop into the cuticles of each hand in the evening.

The difference from an unlabelled bottle in a bazaar is what you can see for yourself: a brand name and a printed box with the name and size on the front. It reaches you unopened, at the price on this page, with nothing to haggle over.

It is for external use only. Try a drop on the inner arm first and wait a day before using it more widely, and do not put it on broken or irritated skin. The front of the box lists no ingredients, so if you have allergies, read the label on the bottle before you use it. It is not a sunscreen and has no SPF. Keep it out of the eyes and away from small children.

Close the cap after each use and keep the bottle out of direct sun and heat. Like other animal oils, it can thicken or turn cloudy in the cold; warm the bottle in your hand for a minute to loosen it. Oil can mark fabric and towels and makes floors slippery, so wipe your hands before you touch clothes. At 60 ml it is under the 100 ml cabin limit and can fly in hand luggage inside the clear liquids bag; screw the cap down tight before you pack it, and in checked baggage seal it in a zip bag. It is an animal product, so declare it if your country asks travellers to declare animal products on arrival.

Who it suits: anyone with dry skin, dry hands and heels or dry hair ends who wants one simple oil for them, and anyone looking for a small, useful present from Egypt that packs easily. Skip it if you avoid animal products: it is made from ostrich fat, so it is neither vegan nor vegetarian. Skip it too if you dislike the feel of oil on your skin.