How Can Moringa Oil Benefit Your Skin?
As described by Medical News Today, moringa (or moringa oleifera) is a plant with numerous health benefits in its various parts, so it isn't very surprising that it has made its way into all sorts of food, skincare products, and supplements. One of the ways in which it can be used is in the form of moringa oil, which Healthline writes comes from the seed of the moringa oleifera plant, more specifically.
Like other plant-derived oils, such as apricot kernel oil, moringa oil has been getting a lot of attention in the beauty world. When you find out all the benefits that moringa oil has been said to have for your skin, it becomes even more understandable why the products containing moringa oil on Sephora's website include all types of moisturizers and hair, face and body oils. Here, we've clarified what you can expect when using moringa oil to improve your skin's health and to help you decide if it's right for you.
Moringa oil has lots of benefits for your skin
Although it might sound like a cure-all ingredient, moringa oil has a lot of potential benefits for your skin. Among its uses mentioned by Healthline is its strength as a moisturizer, which is good news for anyone with dry skin. When discussing how to add moringa oil to your beauty routine, dermatologist Marissa Garshick, MD, said to Cosmopolitan, "I tell my patients to apply moringa oil to the face as a last step in an evening skincare routine to help lock in moisture."
Healthline also writes that this oil may be beneficial to those with acne, as it is anti-inflammatory, while Health mentions that it also can be used as an anti-aging agent. That isn't all, though. "In one study, moringa oil showed that it had some anti-psoriatic properties, significantly reduced psoriatic inflammation, and had comparable benefits to conventional medicines," dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD, told Health.
As noted in the quote above, the properties of this plant, including the oil that comes from it, have been discussed at length in academic literature, including in a journal article in Advances in Traditional Medicine.
There are few side effects, but one major caution
Unlike some other products that you could put on your skin, moringa oil is generally safe, which is great news for anyone who is looking to add it to their daily routine. For instance, dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, said to MindBodyGreen that "most skin types see moringa oil as a positive addition."
Dr. Hayag also told Health that some people may benefit from moringa more than others, saying, "The high oleic acid content found in moringa oil suggests it would benefit dry, more mature skin types due to its significant moisturizing properties."
However, as with most ingredients, there are some necessary cautions to keep in mind. Per Medical News Today, it has been noted that moringa, in general, may not be safe for use by those who are pregnant. WebMD also supports this, noting that the plant has been used in traditional medicine as an abortifacient.