The Most Exciting Benefits of Marula Oil For Hair, Skin and Face
Marula oil is an exotic oil with a floral scent that can benefit your facial skin, hair, and general skin health. Many of the benefits of marula oil are due to its high content of fatty acids, vitamins, and other nourishing properties.
You can use marula oil to moisturize your hair and treat dandruff. You can also use pure marula oil to nourish your skin, reduce signs of aging, treat scars and stretch marks and soothe inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
What is Marula Oil?
Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) oil is a clear pale nut oil that is extracted from the nut kernels of the marula tree. Marula oil has traditionally been used in south Africa, where the tree grows, and has a wide use as a natural skin care product and in cooking.
Marula oil benefits your skin because it hydrates and moisturizes your skin without causing irritation. The main skin benefits of marula oil come from its oleic acid which accounts for nearly 70% of its fatty acid content . Marula oil is also a good source of palmitic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and stearic acid. (1)
The impressive benefits of marula oil also come from its vitamin E (tocopherol) and antioxidant content. These are important ingredients in skincare products to help nourish the skin, reduce inflammation, and reduce the visible signs of aging. (2)
Marula fruit is also a rich source of vitamin C which you need for healthy skin. Some studies have shown that gram for gram, marula fruit has 3 times more vitamin C than oranges. (3)
The South African Journal of Botany reports that some of the ways to use pure marula oil are as a dry skin treatment, marula oil shampoo to repair damaged hair, and as a soothing massage oil. (2)
Marula Oil for Hair
Marula oil is an ideal oil to help treat dry, damaged, fragile hair because its rich fatty acid content nourishes your scalp and hair. Using marula oil for your hair will help it regain its shine, luster, and strength.
Marula Oil Helps to Moisturize and Condition Hair
The rich hydrating and moisturizing effect of marula oil benefits your hair to help keep it looking shiny and healthy.
Marula oil is used in shampoos to help protect your hair from environmental damage. The rich fatty acids help to hydrate your scalp and lock in moisture to give your hair a healthier look. The rich nutrient content of marula oil including vitamin E and antioxidants help to protect your hair. (2)
How to use marula oil for hair
You can make your own marula oil hair mask to help revitalize dry, dull, and damaged hair.
Add 8-10 drops of cold-pressed virgin marula oil to 2 tablespoons of olive oil. After washing your hair, thoroughly massage the marula hair mask into your scalp making sure that all strands of hair are coated. Leave for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out.
Both olive oil and marula oil benefit your hair because they are high in oleic acid and other healthy fatty acids. (4)
You can also make your own marula shampoo by adding a few drops of pure marula oil to your favorite natural shampoo. Use regularly to help maintain healthy hair and prevent split ends and frizz.
Learn about more pure oils such as marula oil that are great for improving the health of your hair.
Marula Oil for Dandruff
If you have a dry itchy scalp with dead flakes of skin, then applying marula oil can help improve your scalp health.
Although dry scalp and dandruff can be two different conditions, marula oil contains compounds that benefit your scalp. Studies into the healing properties of marula oil have shown that it moisturizes the skin without irritation. (2)
The high levels of oleic acid and vitamin E in marula oil also have an anti-inflammatory effect that may improve the health of your scalp.
How to use marula oil for dandruff control
To use marula oil to help get rid of dandruff, you can add tea tree oil to the home remedy. Tea tree oil is a proven anti-dandruff treatment thanks to its antifungal activity. (5)
You can make a marula oil hair mask with tea tree oil to help fight dandruff. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops of marula oil for every ounce (30 ml) of shampoo. Wash your hair with the marula anti-dandruff shampoo, leaving it on your hair for 5-10 minutes (avoid eye contact). Rinse out and use every day until you no longer have problems with dandruff.
For more natural ways in ridding your scalp from dandruff, find out what other essential oils you can use in your shampoo.
Marula Oil for Hair Growth
Although there is no direct evidence, marula oil could help hair grow faster when used in conjunction with other natural ingredients.
One of the ways that marula oil could possibly help boost hair growth is that it contains antioxidants such as vitamin E that prevent free radical damage. Also, oleic acid helps other ingredients permeate the skin’s barrier to work more effectively. (6, 7)
To use marula oil for hair growth, you should add a few drops of rosemary essential oil. Studies have shown that rosemary oil could stimulate hair follicles and may promote healthy hair growth. (8)
How to use marula oil to help boost hair growth
To make a hair-boosting hair mask with marula oil, you should use castor oil and rosemary oil in the recipe. Castor oil also has antioxidant and antimicrobial activity that help improve hair growth. (9, 10)
Mix 1 tablespoon of castor oil, 1 teaspoon of marula oil, and 4 drops of rosemary oil. Massage the marula hair-growth mask into your scalp for a few minutes to help stimulate blood circulation. Cover your hair with a shower cap, wrap in a towel and leave for 2 hours to help improve the health of your scalp. Wash out with your favorite shampoo and use twice a week to help prevent hair loss.
Further reading: Top 5 Most Effective DIY Hair Growth Mask Recipes (Science Based)
Benefits of Marula Oil for Skin
The rich nutritional value of Sclerocarya birrea (marula) seed oil with its antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids mean that marula oil is perfect for your skin.
To improve the condition of your skin, you can use pure marula oil directly on your skin or create your own home remedies containing this exotic floral-scented oil.
Marula Oil Lotion for Soft Skin
Marula oil is praised for its skin benefits because it helps to soften dry skin and keep it hydrated. (1)
Marula oil is also one of the ingredients in skin moisturizers due to its occlusive properties. Researchers say that occlusive moisturizers help prevent water loss and help protect your skin’s natural barrier. Stearic acid is one of the occlusive ingredients that is found in marula oil. (11, 12)
Also, marula oil is rich in omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids that not only hydrate your skin but provide essential nourishment to keep your skin healthy.
How to use marula oil for good skin health
You can easily use pure marula oil directly on your skin to help hydrate and moisturize your skin.
Rub some marula oil between your palms and apply to your skin as an overall body conditioner. For the best benefits, apply marula oil as a moisturizer after showering or bathing.
You can also use marula oil as a home remedy to treat dry, cracked feet, or moisturize dry elbows.
You could also combine sweet almond oil and marula oil to improve the look, feel, and health of your skin.
Marula Pure Facial Oil
Marula oil is an excellent facial oil because it can help to rejuvenate your facial skin. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and the healthy fatty acids in pure marula oil make it an excellent natural oil to rejuvenate your skin.
Marula oil is described as a pure facial oil because it contains all the necessary nutrients healthy facial skin needs. Research has shown that marula oil is silky to the touch and you can easily apply it to your skin. Tocopherols (vitamin E), sterols, oleic acid, and antioxidants all work together to give your skin a healthy glow. (2)
How to use marula oil as a facial moisturizer
To use pure marula facial oil for its amazing skin benefits, you only need to apply a small amount to your face, the skin around your eyes, behind your ears, or your neck.
Put 3-4 drops of organic virgin marula oil on your fingertips and apply to your face to increase moisture and get healthy-looking skin. Use daily as part of your skincare regime.
Pure Marula Oil for Fine Lines and Wrinkles
One of the reasons to use pure marula beauty oil around your eyes and face is to help smooth away fine lines and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
The naturally occurring vitamin E and fatty acids in marula oil have an antioxidant effect on your skin.
One 2018 study found that compounds in marula oil have some activity in reducing the signs of aging. Phytochemicals in marula extracts and oil have anti-aging properties. The study found that marula stem extracts had the most potent anti-aging effect. (13)
How to use marula oil as an anti-aging lotion
To improve the effectiveness of marula as a pure oil for wrinkles, you can add some essential oils to combat wrinkles. For example, according to some studies, lemon essential oil is among some of the best essential oils for wrinkles. (14)
Add 4 drops of marula oil and 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil to a tablespoon of avocado oil or other carrier oil. Put a little of the anti-aging lotion on the tips of your fingers and apply gently to help smooth fine lines. Use morning and night for best results.
Further reading: The best proven natural treatments for dry skin around eyes.
Marula oil vs. argan oil for fine lines
If you are looking for an effective natural anti-aging solution, then argan oil may be better than marula oil. One study found that applying argan oil daily improves the skin’s elasticity and helps lower visible signs of aging. (14)
You could also make an anti-wrinkle marula facial lotion by combining 2 drops each of marula oil and argan oil to massage into your face.
Marula Oil for Brittle Nails
Regularly applying marula oil can help improve the health of your nails to prevent them from becoming brittle and cracking.
The same nourishing properties of marula such as fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants that are good for your skin also help keep your nails healthy.
How to use marula oil for strong nails
Put a drop of marula oil on your nail and gently massage the nail and cuticle. Using marula oil 2 or 3 times a week on your nails can also help prevent hangnails or dry skin around your nails.
Treating your nails with marula oil will also help you avoid signs of poor fingernail health.
Marula Oil for Scars
The rich antioxidant content of the best marula oils may help to prevent scars from appearing.
There are a number of ways why marula oil has the potential to be used for scars. One study involving rats found that marula oil has healing anti-inflammatory effects that may help wounds heal better. (15)
Pure marula oil also has an antimicrobial activity that can kill off certain strains of bacteria that may hinder wound healing. (16)
One study also revealed that applying marula oil around a wound or scar helped to prevent scar tissue from forming. (17)
How to use marula oil to treat scars
Vitamin C and vitamin E are powerful antioxidants that speed up wound healing and help prevent the formation of scar tissue.
You can make a healing marula oil by combining it with rosehip oil. Rosehip oil has proven effects in helping wounds to heal better. (18)
Mix a few drops of rosehip oil with a few drops of marula oil. Apply the healing marula oil twice a day to where the wound has started to heal. Gently massage the marula oil treatment into your skin until the wound has healed fully.
Learn about other natural oils and other proven ways that can help wounds heal better and minimize the risk of scarring.
Marula Oil for Stretch Marks
Although there is no direct evidence about its effectiveness, marula oil may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Natural pure oil remedies can help prevent reddish or pink streaks appearing under your skin by keeping your skin hydrated. Some studies show that lotions containing anti-inflammatory properties that help moisturize the skin may be useful in stretch mark prevention. (18)
How to use marula oil to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks
To help prevent stretch marks from appearing or reduce their appearance, use marula oil as a massage oil. Put a few drops on the palm of your hand and rub into the affected area 2 times a day.
Marula Oil for Eczema and Psoriasis
One of the uses of marula oil is to help soothe inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
As already mentioned in this article, marula is a beauty oil that doesn’t irritate the skin. Its rich healing fatty acid content provides plenty of moisture and hydration to dry, cracked skin. (1)
Oleic acid is also an anti-inflammatory compound that has antimicrobial activity.
How to use marula oil to soothe irritated and inflamed skin
You can use virgin marula oil together with coconut oil to treat skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Scientists have shown that coconut oil can help to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Coconut oil moisturizes dry skin, helps reduce bacteria and relieves itching. (19)
Mix a teaspoon of marula oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply to your patches of cracked, dry, flaky skin to help reduce redness and irritation.
Marula Oil as a Massage Oil
It is very easy to use marula as a massage oil because you can easily apply it to the skin. In fact, scientists describe marula oil as an “ideal massage oil” because it has a good “slip” factor and is rich in fatty acids.
Women in Africa also use marula oil as a massage for babies and infants to help keep their skin moisturized and healthy. (2)
You may also find that the pleasant nutty smell of marula oil is relaxing.
Marula Oil for Acne
There are mixed reports of marula oil being good for treating acne. Some people say that applying pure marula facial oil helps to reduce the size of pimples and acne blemishes. However, there is no evidence to back up these claims.
It is reported that marula oil has a comedogenic rating of 3-4 which means that it may block pores. If this is the case, then you should look for other natural oils if you need to treat outbreaks of acne naturally.
However, some studies have shown that some extracts of marula help fight symptoms of acne. One traditional use of marula leaves is to treat acne. (13)
Learn how to use tea tree oil for treating acne outbreaks and why witch hazel can help to unclog pores can clear away dead skin cells.
Marula Oil to Treat Chapped Lips
If you have cracked lips that are dry, apply a drop or two of marula oil 3 times a day to help heal your lips.
Precautions
There are no reported side effects of using marula oil to improve your skin’s appearance and getting beautiful, lustrous hair.
As with all beauty products – natural and otherwise – you should do a small patch test before using to check for any allergic skin reaction.
Where to Buy Marula Oil
You can buy marula oil in some health stores or online (like this one). The best marula oil is organic, unrefined, and cold pressed.
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