Natural oils and ingredients, such as argan oil, witch hazel, and jojoba oil, began as niche beauty alternatives for those with sensitive skin or specific skin issues. They have since become multipurpose lifesavers, capable of gently and organically nourishing skin and hair. Now, natural products are mainstream. However, just as with all personal care products, you may still need to undergo a little trial-and-error to find the ones that work best for you.
Marula oil is a relative newcomer to the natural beauty and health scene. Saturated with fatty acids and antioxidants, it has a host of potential benefits for your skin, hair, and health. This article should help you decide whether or not to give this one a try.
What Part of the Marula Tree Does Marula Oil Come From?
The different parts of the marula tree have different applications in beauty, crafts, and health. For example, their green leaves are used to relieve heartburn, while the bark can be used for other purposes.
Marula oil is made from the marula fruit, or nuts, which has been popularly known as the fruit that makes elephants drunk. These fruits are plum-sized and are a buttery yellow color when ripe. The flavor encompasses hints of guava and lychee and it is used within Africa to make jams, juices, and the popular African liquor — Amarula. The fruits are so full of marula oil that just squeezing them with your hand should yield quite a bit.
Humans aren’t the only species interested in the marula fruit. Giraffes and warthogs both eat the leaves and fruit of the marula tree. Elephants, most famously, will travel for miles to feast on it.
What is Marula Oil?
Marula oil has a light yellow-brown coloring and a nutty aroma. It is often cold-pressed and is generally intended for topical use, either as a pure oil or as a part of other products. You may recognize its name from the ingredient lists of foundations, lotions, face oils, shampoos, and conditioners. It can also be eaten and is used in Africa as a cooking oil.
The oil is made up of several healthy chemicals, including essential fatty acids. These fatty acids closely resemble those that exist on the surface layer of your skin and offer a host of benefits as a result. Marula oil also has a high antioxidant content, specifically vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoids. It may even oust another popular oil from the market – it contains 60% more antioxidants than argan oil! The list of benefits of antioxidants for skin care is extensive, so try incorporating it into your beauty routine as well as your diet.
The History of Marula Oil
The oldest archaeological evidence of the marula fruit was found in an ancient Zimbabwean cave. This evidence suggests that the fruit was used as a source of nutrition as early as 10,000 BC. Amongst African women, it has also been used as a beauty treatment, capable of moisturizing, protecting and repairing skin that has been dried by the harsh African climate. It is even gentle enough to be used on infants.
Despite its long history, the marula tree remains a purely wild tree because it requires specific environmental settings and cannot be cultivated by man. However, it isn’t dying out anytime soon – it is protected by national law.
Benefits For Skin
The best kinds of beauty products are powerful but easy to use. In terms of skincare products, marula oil is a powerhouse. It can even out your skin and leave it feeling baby-smooth within moments. Used in the long-run, its high antioxidant content can help to prevent sun damage and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Its high fatty acid content helps to lock in moisture, while its antibacterial properties help to battle acne. In short, marula oil directly tackles many of the pressing skin concerns people of all ages are dealing with today.
Nowadays, many skincare products are formulated for specific skin types, complicating things for beauty enthusiasts. With marula oil, you can rejoice! This versatile oil is compatible with every skin type, so whether your skin type is dry, oily, or combination, the oil will absorb, moisturize, and leave no residue.
Benefits for Hair
Marula oil can also be used in the hair, whether in oil form or as an ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products. Due to marula oil’s high antioxidant content, it has a protective and nourishing effect when used in hair. It acts as a shield against potential damage from heat styling or harsh UV rays from the sun.
Marula oil nourishes your hair by sealing moisture within the strands. As a plus, as with many types of hair oils, marula oil will help de-frizz and leave a satiny finish to your hair. With its reputation for being non-greasy, it won’t ever become too much of a good thing either.
Other Benefits
Marula oil is also used in nail polishes to help preserve nail health and can be used in place of cuticle creams.
An alternative cooking oil to saturated oils, marula oil is a rich source of antioxidants, which benefit heart health and help prevent cancers and infections. As time goes on, gourmet chefs may start to incorporate marula oil more to take advantage of its healthful qualities and nutty, organic flavor.
How to Use Marula Oil on Your Skin
Marula oil can be applied directly to the face, body, or hair. On the face, effects should be most pronounced if you use it at night, after washing your face. You can also use it to fight specific skin problems, like applying it around your eyes to prevent wrinkles. Pregnant women can take inspiration from the women of Swaziland, Africa and use it daily on their bellies to prevent stretch marks.
Marula oil is also incorporated in many cleansers, lotions, and cosmetics in the beauty market. If you want to add the oil to your routine without purchasing a whole new product, then try adding a little to your regular products to boost their moisture factor.
How to Use Marula Oil on Your Hair
As a hair oil, marula can be used from root to tip, with a variety of benefits. It can help with scalp health and dandruff or be massaged into the hair either before or after washing, sealing in moisture and minimizing your chances of getting split ends. Oils can be daunting, but they are a good way to reach your beauty goals fast, effectively and naturally.
A Guilt-Free, Natural Beauty Essential
Whether or not you fall in love with marula oil, it has created a place for itself in the health, beauty, and cosmetics markets. As alternative cooking oils become more and more popular, it may even make its way into your healthful cooking ventures, too.
As an additional plus, the manufacturing of marula oil creates a host of benefits for African communities, particularly amongst the women that produce the oil. When you buy marula oil and similar products, make sure to go organic and fair trade. This way, the benefits you get from these products ripple back to benefit its makers as well. Give this trending natural oil a try and see if it’s for you!
