Moringa Oil: A Botanical Oil for Skin and Hair

Moringa oleifera

Moringa is one of those ingredients that initially catches attention because of its long traditional history, but becomes interesting for a different reason once you begin working with it in formulations. The oil has a beautiful feel on the skin - rich enough to feel nourishing, but without the heavier, greasy finish that some plant oils can leave behind.

Pressed from the seeds of Moringa oleifera, moringa oil has been used for centuries and continues to find a place in modern skincare and hair care.

An Herb with a Long History

Moringa oleifera is native to northern India and has been used traditionally throughout parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In Ayurvedic medicine, nearly every part of the plant has been used in some way.

The leaves are highly nutritious and often consumed as food, the long seed pods are eaten as a vegetable, and the seeds themselves yield a stable oil once pressed.

Because of its broad traditional uses, moringa has sometimes been called the "miracle tree", although much of its value likely comes down to something simpler - it is a remarkably useful plant.

Why the Oil Is Different

One of the features that stands out about moringa oil is its fatty acid profile. It contains a particularly high level of oleic acid - often around 70% - which contributes to its soft, conditioning feel on the skin.

Moringa oil also naturally contains:

• Vitamin E
• Plant sterols
• Antioxidant compounds

Together these contribute to an oil that feels nourishing while still absorbing relatively well.

From a formulation perspective, it is also a surprisingly stable oil. Historically this mattered enough that moringa oil (once called Ben oil or Behen oil) was used in perfume preparation because it resisted becoming rancid and could hold aromatic compounds well.

Skin and Hair Uses

Traditionally, moringa oil has been used as a conditioning oil for both skin and hair.

On the skin it is often used to help soften dry areas and support the skin barrier. For hair, its high oleic acid content can help improve softness and reduce the rough feel that develops when the outer hair cuticle becomes raised.

I particularly like moringa because it sits somewhere in the middle - nourishing without feeling overly heavy, and versatile enough to work across facial oils, body products and hair formulations.

A Place in Modern Formulation

Although moringa has a long traditional history, its appeal today is still fairly practical. It offers a combination of stability, skin affinity and a pleasant skin feel that can sometimes be difficult to achieve in a single oil.

You'll find moringa oil in our Rejuvenating Facial Oil and Moringa Glow Hair Oil, where it contributes nourishment along with a lightweight finish.