Benefits of Marula Oil | What It Can Do and How To Use It

Marula oil, also known as “soumbala”,” is an effective remedy for dry skin, especially suitable for people with eczema or psoriasis. This oil is extracted from the marula tree’s roots, bark and fruits. Enriched with shea butter, it provides the essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, effectively moisturising dry or cracked skin.

In the 1920s, John A. Odum founded a marula oil company, popularizing this plant that has long been used by blacksmiths, farmers and fishermen in Africa. This led to the development of various marula oil products, including cosmetics and household cleaners.

Marula oil offers numerous benefits for people with dry skin, eczema or psoriasis. It is also effective for itchy or flaky scalps and can be safely used as a moisturizer for babies. In addition to its therapeutic uses, marula oil is a cosmetic solution that prevents wrinkles and promotes skin softness and suppleness. It is also an excellent source of vitamin E for the body.

Marula Oil Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (15ml) Calories: 120 Total Fat: 14g

• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 0mg Total Carbohydrate: 0g Protein: 0g

Marula oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, it has been shown to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

This remarkable oil is also packed with high amounts of Vitamin E, making it particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with dry skin or psoriasis. Vitamin E is a protective shield for the skin, guarding against infections and damage.

Moreover, Marula oil is renowned for its anti-ageing properties, effectively reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face.

Benefits of marula oil for skin

Marula oil provides several benefits to the skin and acts as a natural moisturizer, helping to retain moisture and keep the skin hydrated. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps prevent sepsis and cancer-related wounds.

The moisturizing properties of marula oil make it an excellent choice to nourish and hydrate the skin. Because it effectively binds water, it helps fight dryness and leaves the skin supple and refreshed.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of marula oil contribute to its therapeutic potential. It can help reduce inflammation, soothe irritated skin, and promote a healthier complexion. This makes it particularly useful in treating sepsis and cancer-related wounds.

Including marula oil in your skincare routine can provide these beneficial effects, supporting overall skin health and improving its appearance. Please note that results may vary from individual to individual, and it is advisable to perform a patch test before applying marula oil to a large skin area.

How to use marula oil on the skin

1. Direct Application: Apply the oil directly to the skin in its raw form.
2. Blending with Other Oils: Mix marula oil with other beneficial oils like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, hazelnut oil, or sandalwood oil. This blend can address skin concerns such as acne, dryness, eczema, etc.
3. Skincare Formulations: Marula oil can be used as a carrier oil to create lotions, creams, and ointments for the skin.
4. Hair Care: Add marula oil to hair care products like shampoo or conditioner to moisturize dry hair.
5. Healing Properties: Marula oil aids in the healing of wounds and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
6. Wrinkle Reduction: Regular marula oil can help reduce facial wrinkles, promoting a youthful appearance.
7. Moisturizing Benefits: Marula oil is a natural moisturizer for the skin, helping prevent dryness and keeping the skin soft and supple.
8. Sunscreen Protection: Marula oil offers natural sun protection with an SPF of approximately 15, making it beneficial for individuals with dry skin.
9. Support for Cancer Patients: Marula oil can benefit cancer patients experiencing side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. It is also used in the treatment of wounds caused by cancer.
10. Fragrance and Attractiveness: The pleasant smell of marula oil makes it a popular ingredient in fragrances and perfumes, adding an attractive scent to the body.
11. Anti-Ageing Properties: Due to its ability to promote the generation of skin cells, marula oil is considered a natural anti-ageing ingredient.
12. Scalp Care: Marula oil effectively treats dry and itchy scalps, providing relief and nourishment.

Marula oil benefits for hair

Marula oil offers several benefits when used on the hair, promoting its health and vitality:

1. Moisturizes Dry Hair: By providing deep hydration, marula oil helps to combat dryness and nourish the hair strands, reducing hair fall and breakage.
2. Soothes Scalp Conditions: The soothing properties of marula oil make it effective in addressing scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff, relieving itchiness and flakiness.
3. Reduces Hair Loss: Marula oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce scalp inflammation, which can contribute to hair loss. It also protects the scalp from infections caused by bacteria or viruses.
4. Hydrates Hair: Acting as a natural humectant, marula oil helps to retain moisture in the hair, keeping it hydrated for extended periods.

Incorporating marula oil into your hair care routine can help improve your hair’s overall health and appearance, promoting its strength, shine, and manageability.

How to use marula oil on hair

How to Use Marula Oil on Hair and Benefits of marula oil on Hair:

1. Direct Application: Apply a few drops of marula oil onto your hands and rub it onto your hair, focusing on the ends and dry areas. This can be done as a standalone treatment.
2. Steam Treatment: Wrap your head with a hot towel after applying marula oil to your hair. The steam from the towel will help open up the scalp’s pores, allowing for better oil absorption and enhanced benefits.
3. Mixing with Hair Products: Add a few drops of marula oil to your regular hair treatments, such as shampoo or conditioner. This will strengthen your hair and help prevent infections from entering your scalp.
4. Scalp Care: Marula oil is beneficial for the scalp as it aids in fighting against scalp infections. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help calm scalp swelling and promote a healthier scalp environment.
5. Pure Application: Marula oil can be used independently for hair and scalp treatment. Being a natural product without additives or chemicals, it can be directly applied to the hair and scalp for its beneficial effects.

Marula oil acne

Marula oil for acne:

Marula oil is a good option for treating acne and rashes due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation and skin irritation. In addition, its antibacterial properties can prevent the development of unpleasant odours caused by acne.

• How to use marula oil for the treatment of acne:
• Apply a few drops of marula oil directly to the affected area.
• Leave the oil on the skin for about 5-10 minutes.
• Gently massage the oil into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
• Repeat this process daily or as needed to treat acne.

Incorporating marula oil into your skincare routine can help soothe acne-prone skin and improve its appearance. However, results may vary from individual to individual, and it is advisable to perform a patch test or consult a dermatologist if you have specific skin conditions or allergies.

Marula oil for hair growth

Marula oil can promote hair growth due to its nourishing properties. Although it does not directly stimulate hair growth, it helps create a healthy scalp environment, essential for optimal hair growth.

1. Use of marula oil for hair growth:
2. Apply a few drops of marula oil to your scalp.
3. Gently massage the oil into your scalp in a circular motion to promote blood circulation.
4. Leave the oil on for a few hours or overnight for optimal absorption.
5. Rinse thoroughly with a gentle shampoo to remove residue.

Regular marula oil can help maintain a healthy scalp, minimize scalp infections and provide nutrients to the hair follicles, contributing to better hair growth.

Is marula oil good for eczema

Marula oil has important properties that help in the treatment of eczema:

Anti-inflammatory properties: Marula oil’s fatty acids and antioxidants fight inflammation and redness associated with eczema [4]. This soothes irritated skin and relieves symptoms.

Moisturizing: Marula oil is easily absorbed and deeply moisturizes to relieve dryness and itching, which is common with eczema [1]. It restores the skin barrier and reduces water loss, critical for treating eczema.

Protective effect on the skin: the high oleic acid content of marula oil improves the penetration of the product into the skin. This facilitates the absorption of topical medications or emollients used in eczema treatment and optimizes their action.

Antibacterial properties: marula oil inhibits bacterial growth, preventing secondary infections on skin affected by eczema [7]. It reduces complications and promotes the healing of eczema-related skin lesions.

Conclusion

In summary, marula oil offers numerous benefits for skin and hair health. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties relieve ailments such as eczema, psoriasis and dry scalp. Marula oil promotes skin suppleness, reduces wrinkles and protects against infections. Its high polyunsaturated fatty acid and vitamin E content contribute to overall wellness, including heart health and protection from damage. Incorporating marula oil into skin and hair care regimens can result in healthier, moisturized skin and conditioned hair. Whether used directly, blended with other oils, or incorporated into skincare formulas, marula oil is a versatile and beneficial addition to your beauty regimen.

References and Sources

“‘Dasgupta.” (2014, March 4). Retrieved July 23, 2014, from http://www.faim.org/l-Marula-Cream-for-Wrinkle.html
Larson, R., Larson, G., & Carson, S. (1987). Marula oil: potential as an antibacterial agent.
Marula Oil, (2013). Retrieved July 23, 2014, from http://www.marulaoil.co.za/index.php?id=1.

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