Marula oil has been gaining popularity in the beauty world, and for good reason. This luxurious oil, derived from the kernels of marula fruit, offers a wealth of benefits for skin and hair. Marula oil is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins C and E, making it a powerhouse for nourishing and protecting the skin.
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Where Does Marula Oil Come From?
Marula oil originates from the fruit of the Marula tree which is native to southern Africa. The Marula tree thrives in the wild, often found in savannah and woodland areas. It’s a deciduous tree that can grow up to 18 metres tall and is known for its resistance to drought.
The fruit of the Marula tree resembles a small, yellow apricot. It’s the kernel inside this fruit that yields the Marula oil. Women in rural communities traditionally collect and process the fruit which supports local economies in southern Africa. It provides income for many rural families, particularly for the women.
The fruits of the Marula tree are very tasty. Very tasty for elephants too. When the fruit gets over ripe, it ferments on the tree and turns into raw alcohol. Local elephants love this, and there have been many reports about drunk elephants staggering around. When a drunk elephant wobbles into your yard and falls over against your house, you know it!
First, the ripe fruits are harvested an then the outer skin and flesh are removed. The woody casing inside is cracked open to reveal the kernel. and these kernels are then cold pressed to extract the oil.
The cold-pressing method helps preserve the oil’s beneficial properties. It’s a labour-intensive process, but it ensures the highest quality oil. The INCI is Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil.
Typical Fatty Acid Content Of Marula Oil
Marula oil boasts a unique chemical profile that contributes to its beneficial properties. Looking at its composition, you can see it contains both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
- C18:1 Oleic Acid (Omega-9) 60% to 78%
- C16:0 Palmitic Acid 9% to 14%
- C18:0 Stearic Acid 5% to 9%
- C18:2 Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) 4% to 10%
- SAP value mg KOH/g 180 – 200
Oleic Acid is the predominant fatty acid in Marula Oil and is an Omega-9 monounsaturated fat. It typically makes up 60% to 78% of the oil. This high Oleic Acid concentration gives Marula oil its stability and moisturising qualities. Oleic Acid also prevents joint stiffness, pain and inflammation.
Palmitic Acid, a saturated fatty acid, is the second most abundant component, usually ranging from 9% to 14%. It is a wonderful skin emollient and even softens brittle hair.
Stearic acid, another saturated fat, comprises about 5% to 9% of the oil’s profile. It softens the skin and conditions the hair without adding weight.
Linoleic Acid, an essential Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, accounts for approximately 4% to 10% of Marula oil’s composition. This fatty acid plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health and barrier function. It improves the appearance of damaged skin and helps to promote wound healing and cellular regeneration.
The oil also contains a very small amount of Arachidic acid. Despite being present in a small amount, this significantly increases wound healing and smoothing of the skin. It is important for controlling the inflammatory response in conditions like psoriasis.
Marula Oil Benefits
It’s what I call a dry oil. When you put a couple of drops on your fingertips, you can still snap your fingers. It sinks in quickly, leaving a very light and elegant skin feel which is very desirable in skincare products. The Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) content makes all oils it contains feel thinner – that’s why this oil is so light and non-greasy.
Benefits of Marula Oil for Skin
- Marula oil is an excellent moisturiser for the skin. I’ve always found it to be really effective at hydrating dry, flaky, and mature skin types. It absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. This can be a great benefit for cracked skin and dry eczema.
- The oil contains high levels of Oleic Acid (Omega-9), which helps to lock in moisture and improve skin elasticity. This can lead to a more youthful appearance over time. This also gives the oil good heat stability, meaning it is an excellent oil to infuse cannabis in.
- It’s also known for its hydrating properties, which can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- It promotes collagen production, which is crucial for maintaining firm, supple, healthy skin. Ideal for use on stretch marks.
- Marula oil is also rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and flavonoids. These compounds protect the skin from free radical damage and environmental stressors.
- It keeps your skin soft and supple. This is so useful because as a light feeling, dry oil, you will be able to use it as part of your skincare routine, even in hot weather.
- When blended with other oils, it is a GREAT oil for massage, as high levels of Omega-9 help to prevent joint inflammation. It eases stiff joints and helps to manage pain levels. Don’t feel you have to have a masseur to hand, either – it works just as well when you apply it to yourself.
- It’s great for acne skin care as it is anti-inflammatory and non-comedogenic, so will not block the pores, and it even helps to reduce future breakouts.
- Marula oil is great to use as a hand and nail oil. It sinks in so quickly, so your hands won’t feel greasy, and you’ll find that your nails and cuticles will be much healthier.
Benefits of Marula Oil for Hair
- Marula can work wonders for hair. It helps to tame frizz, smooth split ends, add shine, and protect against heat damage – all without making your hair heavy or lank.
- Marula oil is a fantastic treatment for dry, damaged hair. It penetrates the hair shaft easily, providing deep nourishment from within. It’s a great oil to use if your hair has been over processed. It blends very well with Argan oil.
- The oil’s high Oleic Acid (Omega-9) content helps to strengthen hair strands, reducing breakage and promoting overall hair health. It stimulates your hair follicles so that your hair grows thicker and stronger and is less prone to breakage.
- Marula oil can help soothe an irritated scalp, alleviating conditions like dandruff or itchiness.
- Marula oil can be used by anyone with colour-treated hair. I’ve seen that the high antioxidant quality helps preserve colour vibrancy and prevent fading.
- It softens your hair without leaving it feeling greasy and there is no stickiness.
Infusing Marula Oil with Cannabis
It’s the whopping great level of Omega-9 (Oleic Acid) that brings several really desirable functions for you and your skin. This also gives the oil good heat stability, meaning it is an excellent oil to infuse cannabis in. Any oil used for infusing cannabis needs to be heat stable. Typically, it is Coconut oil that is used, but having seen how multifunctional Marula oil is, you can understand why I love to infuse weed in it.
One of the most straightforward methods for incorporating cannabis into any heat-tolerant oil, such as Marula oil, is through the use of the POT by NOIDS. This device offers precise temperature control, which is essential for infusing cannabis without compromising its beneficial compounds.
To infuse cannabis with the POT by NOIDS, begin by decarboxylating the cannabis. The device features two settings to choose from: THC and CBD. Opt for the CBD setting, then add the cannabis to the included glass beaker and allow the device to work its magic.
With a snug silicone lid in place, there is no odour emitted during the process. Decarboxylation involves heating the cannabis at a specific temperature to activate cannabinoids like THCa and CBDa. Once the cannabis is properly decarboxylated, add enough Marula oil to cover the cannabis and transfer it to the POT by NOIDS. Select the CBD oil infusion setting and let the device do the rest.
Once the infusion process is complete, attach the strainer accessory to the glass beaker and strain the mixture directly into a bottle or jar for storage. The really efficient filter ensures a smooth end product without any residue, yielding perfectly infused CBD oil.
Looking After Your Infused Marula Oil
Proper storage is key to maintaining the quality of infused Marula oil. I keep mine in a small fridge which is obviously cold and dark. Direct sunlight can degrade the oil and shorten its shelf life – such a pity to waste the cannabis like that!
If you don’t have a fridge though, a cool, dark cupboard or box will do just fine. Be sure it is labelled, and if you have kids in the house, make sure they can’t get to it.
Contraindications for Marula Oil
Whilst Marula oil is generally safe for most people, there are a few contraindications to be aware of. I know that people with nut allergies should think twice about whether they should use it as Marula oil is derived from the kernels of Marula fruit. This can cause a potential nut allergy reaction.
Lastly, I write about using Marula oil topically here. Although it is used as a food ingredient in many parts of Africa, I only have first-hand experience of using it on the skin and hair.
Conclusion
Marula oil offers a wealth of benefits for skin, hair, and overall health. Its rich nutrient profile and antioxidant properties make it a valuable addition to any beauty routine. It hydrates dry skin, soothes inflammation, and even helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For hair care, Marula oil excels at taming frizz and adding shine. Its lightweight texture allows for easy absorption without leaving a greasy residue.
The oil’s anti-inflammatory properties extend beyond cosmetic uses. Some studies suggest it can help alleviate joint pain and improve skin conditions like eczema.
Marula oil as a promising natural remedy. Its sustainability and ethical sourcing practices add to its appeal. I recommend giving Marula oil a try in your daily routine. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed to experience its benefits first-hand.
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