Marula oil is a light, fast absorbing oil that is suited for most skin types due to it’s fatty acid profile, it’s moisturizing properties and antioxidant properties. Marula oils is the perfect addition to your skincare routine due to how quickly it is absorbed into your skin. It’s a lightweight oil that is perfect under makeup and will deliver a boatload of skin beautifying benefits! Say hello to healthy skin with the addition of marula oil to your beauty routine! The marula oil benefits are endless!
I love finding new skin care products that are pure and simple. Recently I have discovered Marula Oil. The benefits or this oil are vast. I love that like jojoba oil, it is similar to the skin’s own oils. Read on to find out why your skin could benefit from Marula oil.
In my opinion, the best way to hydrate and nourish your skin is by simply using unrefined and unfiltered oil. The benefits of many oils can be lost when mixed with other ingredients (mainly water) that lotions and creams contain. That being said, let’s take a look at marula oil. Marula oil is not as prevalent as other powerhouse oils, but I think that’s about to change. It’s often compared to the more popular Argan oil but the benefits of Marula oil seem to far outweigh it’s counterpart.
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What is Marula Oil?
The marula tree is found in sub-Saharan Southern Africa. It is an important source of food for local communities and animals throughout Africa. The marula tree is a dioecious species which means each tree has a specific gender. The marula tree blooms from September to November and attracts insects who cross-pollinate the flowers.
The oil of the Marula tree has been used for centuries for restoring and renewing dry and over exposed skin from that region.
The marula tree was once considered sacred and was linked to a happy marriage and fertility. It was even thought to intoxicate elephants when an elephant ate it’s fruit.
The oil is found in the nuts of the tree. They are typically harvested by the local community. The nuts of the marula tree are cracked open where the small kernels are then cold pressed to produce the natural oil.
Marula Oil Properties:
Marula oil contains amino acids, L-arginine and glutamic acid which both help to hydrate the skin as well as help the skin retain youthfulness. It contains a high content of fatty acids including stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid which also help to make marula oil a very moisturizing oil. The most exciting part of marula oil is that it is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E and C which can help fight environmental stressors the skin may face such as UV rays and pollution. Vitamin C is also known to encourage the production of collagen!
In fact, marula oil contains 4x more vitamin C than an orange. It also contains a good amount of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant to protect your skin from free radicals. Marula oil contains oleic acid which helps prevent and fade the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Oemga 3 fatty acids are also present to help lock moisture into the skin and soothe skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Marula oil has a comedogenic rating of 3-4 meaning that it may possibly clog pores. However, it’s anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties have proven to be beneficial for acne-prone skin.
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Marula Oil Benefits:
First and foremost, Marula oil is an effective anti aging oil. Collagen and elastin are damaged by certain enzymes. In a 2018 study, it was found that the ingredient was effective at inhibiting the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.
- Antioxidant rich-With a high vitamin C & E content, these powerful antioxidants help reverse free radical damage.
- Omega Fatty Acid rich which help this light oil deeply moisturize the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
- Creates a skin barrier to lock in moisture since it is an occlusive oil.
- So many hair benefits! Helps hydrate dry hair as well as smooths frizzy hair and can repair split ends. Can also act as a heat protectant.
- Anti-Inflammatory-reduces skin irritation and swelling, reduces redness and accelerates healing.
- Antimicrobial and antibacterial
- Boosts cellular activity meaning it helps are cells renew themselves.
- Helps prevent stretch marks and fades the appearance of scars.
- Strengthens weak and brittle nails as well as moisturizes and protects the nail beds.
- Enhances the skin penetration of other products.
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Marula Oil Vs. Argan Oil:
Marula oil is full of antioxidants that help combat free-radical damage to the skin. In fact, there is actually 15-20% more antioxidants in Marula oil then in Argan oil.
Marula oil is rich in essential fatty acids Omega 9 (oleic) and Omega 6. Omega fatty acids deeply hydrate and reduce redness while nourishing, healing, moisturizing and improving skin elasticity. In fact, Marula oil contains 70-78% of omega 9 while Argan oil only contains about 40%.
Marula oil contains vitamin C while argan oil does not.
Argan oil is a much thicker oil so I find it hard to use since it takes quite a while to penetrate the skin where as Marula oil is light and absorbs quickly.
My Personal Experience w/ Marula Oil
As you can see, the benefits of using Marula oil are incredible. For a bit of insight on how Marula oil has helped my skin, let me share with you my former skin woes. Several years ago turned a horrible corner with my skin due to a huge hormone imbalance. My skin did not look or feel like any skin I had ever felt! I was overly oily and my forehead and chin were completely full of blackheads and blemishes. My skin was puffy and red and actually hurt. I had totally forgotten how bad acne truly is. Marula oil is so incredibly soothing. It helped reduce the inflammation and give me a more “normal” appearance. I love that it is antimicrobial as well. Because it is pH balanced, it’s helped my skin to stop over-producing oil. My skin recovered nicely, thanks to marula oil. This oil truly works for everyone.
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How You Can Use Marula Oil:
- Use alone as a face oil or can be used with another moisturizing product to help that product penetrate more deeply.
- Add marula oil to your haircare routine to smooth frizz, heal your scalp from dandruff and moisturize your hair from root to tip!
- Add a few drops of Marula oil to your foundation for a creamier/dewy look.
- For an extra boost of moisture, apply Marula oil under your sun block.
- Use Marula oil as a post shaving soother or as a stand alone shaving oil.
- Apply Marula oil to sun exposed skin for healing and soothing.
- Apply to your lips after applying a lip balm to seal in the moisture.
- Apply to your cuticles to strengthen and moisturize your nails.
You only need a few drops of Marula oil. During my skin episode, I used only 2 drops before bed and I also used about 2 drops under my makeup as a primer. It works quite well to help smooth out mineral makeup.
Side Effects of Marula Oil:
There is very little risk of an allergic reaction to marula oil. It is recommended for even sensitive skin. If you are concerned, you can always perform a patch test on your inner arm and wait 24 hours to make sure you are not exhibiting a rash, itchiness or soreness.
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Where to Find the Best Marula Oil:
To find the most pure, organic marula oil shop HERE. Mountain Rose Herb’s marula oil is 100% pure with no fillers or other ingredients. It is unrefined (unprocessed) and cold pressed in order to leave all the amazing properties intact. It’s also very affordable!
“Fast-absorbing and nutritive, organic marula oil has been traditionally used for centuries for skin and hair care. Lightweight and silky, it hydrates the skin and promotes elasticity and an even, balanced complexion. Smooth a few drops into skin and hair daily for a radiant tone and a soft, healthy glow. This oil is suitable for normal to dry skin types and is ideal for occasionally dry skin and uneven skin tone.”
In conclusion, marula oil protects against environmental damage, helps reverse sun damage, boost cellular activity and hydrates and repairs the skin. Marula oils is also highly anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. It is high in Vitamin C which helps the skin produce collagen which in turn plumps the skin and encourages cell turnover. It also is high in Vitamin E which is extremely nourishing for aging skin. Marula oil is a powerhouse of an oil that is also lightweight and penetrates quickly and deeply.
After all, young looking skin is antioxidant rich, full of collagen and plump and hydrated by omega fatty acids. Marula has all the bases covered!
xx, Jenni
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This oil sounds incredible! Can’t wait to give it a try. I’ve also been battling with hormonal imbalances and have acne in places that I never used to.
Madalyn-Hormones are so hard to control!! I’m thinking of a natural progesterone cream to help level mine out! I’m so happy what this oil has done for my skin=the hormones made me so irritated and inflamed and this oil calmed and evened my skin out with one application! Good luck!
Jenni,
Is this oil the same as Tarte Organic Pure Maracuja Oil sold at Sephora? I LOVE the Maracuja oil. It’s amazing. Just wondered if it was in the same family or maybe had another name such as Marula.
Martha-It’s not-I believe Maracuja Oil is from the Amazon and Marula oil is from South Africa-They seem similar in properties though! They are both very rich in antioxidants and light!
Amazing article, Jenni! I’m so happy you love our oil- you writing is beautiful and spot on- a true inspiration! Thank you! xxx
Very excited about this. I’ve reached “that age” and am looking for serious anti-aging solutions that don’t involve the horrid ingredients in major brands.
Peggy-Yes, me too! Just the fact that it has soothed the inflammation in my skin and evened out the redness is amazing. Those results were immediate for me! Hope you like it!
Can I use Marula oil in your anti-aging serum instead of almond oil?
Katie-Absolutely!
How do you use this? Do you use straight before moisturizer (instead of a serum)? Or use in a DIY serum or cream recipe? I would love to try it.
I use it straight as a moisturizer. I don’t know about using it in conjuction with a moisturizer-depending on your skin, I think it would be too much. I like to add essential oils to my skin first sometimes, then I put about 5 drops of Marula oil on top!
I love all your products and recipes for skin care. Thank you so much for offering them. I love having products that do not contain tons of chemicals. My skin has changed dramatically thru the years, I’ve stopped coloring my hair, and I now feel the need for a makeup makeover. I am over 60 and things are just different now. I live in Oklahoma City Metro, do you know any locations that offer makeup makeovers? I’m not wanting skin care – you have that covered. I’m looking for eye shadows, liners, mascara, foundations, lip products that do not contain toxic stuff. I realize you have recipes for some of these products, but mine haven’t turned out that well and I honestly have no desire to even attempt DIY mascara. Any suggestions.
Hi Daniela! Makeup is hard to figure out when trying to avoid harsh chemicals-I am in the process of trying out Tarte-you can get this line at Ulta and they don’t add what they call “yuckies” in their make up. They are a big company and carry lots of options for make up-I’ll be doing a review soon once I come to a conclusion-so far I LOVE it. Ulta is having a special on a 4-piece gift set that includes blush, lip gloss and a 2 more tarte items I can’t think of-it’s tomorrow only with a free gift of tarte’s mascara-fyi! I also use Bare Minerals as well. As far as a place to get a make over-I have no idea-I wish I knew someone because I would love to have my make up done too-I know The Make UP bar in Nichols Hills has great reviews but I’m not too sure what brands they use. Hope this helps! Keep me posted! Thanks for the nice comments!!
Thanks Jenni. I had wondered abou makeup bar in Nichols Hills also, and considered Ulta. Appreciate your input and will be looking forward to your Ulta reviews. Thank YOU!
I’ll definitely try this out.
http://www.makeupcubicle.blogspot.com
Hi Jenni,
I was reading this post from a year ago and tried using the link you provided to find the MARULA Oil you had recommended however, it seems the link is no longer working. Do you know where I can go to purchase this brand? Thanks!
Lisa-I think this company might have gone out of business. I need to find an alternative for marula oil because it really is an amazing oil! I haven’t tried THIS one but I would.
I’d just like to point out that no oil contains natural vitamin C, because vitamin C is water soluble, and does not carry into oil. The Marula fruit is full of vitamin C, but that does not carry through to the oil.