An In-Depth Look At The Benefits Of Moringa Oil For Skin Health

By Felix Tajanko

APRIL 28, 2023

When evaluating sustainable and eco-friendly skin health products, you may notice moringa oil frequently – and for good reason. Moringa oil is a type of oil extracted from the seeds of the moringa oleifera tree, which contains many therapeutic benefits. This natural oil has been used in parts of Africa and Asia as a skin care and medicinal agent for thousands of years. This blog will bring you up to speed about the benefits you can expect from using moringa oil topically and how to best incorporate moringa oil in your skin health routine.

The use of moringa oil can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The reason for its popularity comes from its undeniable ability to nourish and soothe the skin, cementing its usefulness for both functional and aesthetic skin care. Before use, moringa oil must be extracted from the seeds of the moringa oleifera tree, which also produces useful roots, bark, flowers, and leaves. This cold-pressed oil is chock-full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids such as oleic acid, the monounsaturated fatty acid commonly found in olive oil. Oleic acid is particularly noteworthy since it possesses moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties¹. The other fatty acid of note is behenic acid, which is responsible for the creamy texture of the oil and complements the wound-healing properties of oleic acid². Moringa oil is useful for boosting skin health due to the following benefits that it exhibits:

• Moisturizing: The oleic and behenic fatty acids help to draw moisture into the skin, hydrating skin and leaving it smooth and supple ³.
• Antioxidative: The antioxidants in moringa oil can help protect the skin from damage-causing free radicals, which are known to lead to premature aging and other skin problems ³.
• Skin soothing: The fatty acids and vitamins in moringa oil lend to its anti-inflammatory properties⁴.
• Wound healing: Treatment with moringa oil has been found to shorten the healing time of chronic skin wounds⁵.
• Regulating oil production: Moringa oil can help to balance the production of the skin's natural oils, called sebum. This is especially useful for those managing oily, combination, or acne-prone skin⁶.
• Antimicrobial: Moringa oil has been found to have antibacterial properties that protect against harmful strains of bacteria and microorganisms on the skin⁷.
• May help lessen the appearance of scars: The vitamin E found in moringa oil content has been shown to help to improve the appearance of scars when applied consistently for a substantial amount of time⁸.

Introducing moringa oil into your daily skin care routine is a great way to improve the health of your skin and can be especially helpful in alleviating irritated and dry skin. With continued use of moringa oil, you may notice your natural sebum levels evening out, which in turn can help reduce acne. Continued use can also help protect against the oxidation of your skin thanks to its antioxidative properties. Lastly, the vitamin E in moringa oil may help fade the appearance of scars. Moringa oil may help to mitigate the changes in skin associated with aging, such as crepey skin under the eyes. Since chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of wrinkles and fine lines, the anti-inflammatory properties of moringa oil may help to slow their onset⁹. The nutrients in moringa oil have also been shown to boost collagen production, potentially improving skin elasticity and firmness that diminishes as levels of collagen decrease with age⁵. Though you could supplement your skin directly with moringa oil, the most common and efficient method of incorporating this oil into your skin health routine is via topical skin care products containing the oil, such as moisturizers and serums. Moringa oil is commonly found in moisturizers and serums due to its soothing and softening effect, often acting synergistically with other ingredients that hydrate your skin. Few ingredients rival moringa oil’s anti-inflammatory and hydrating capabilities. This along with the fact that moringa oil is natural, safe for acne-prone skin, and works well with most other ingredients, it’s no surprise that you can find it contained in a wide range of premium skin care formulations. OneSkin is no exception, including moringa oil in the formulation of its newest Topical Supplement - OS-01 EYE. OS-01 EYE was formulated with the highest concentration of OneSkin’s proprietary OS-01 peptide, which paired with moringa oil, effectively reduces the appearance of crow’s feet and delivers lasting moisture to the skin cells around the eyes. Learn more about the ingredients in OS-01 EYE and the benefits it can have on your skin.

• Moringa oil is hydrating, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and may help boost collagen production in an effort to reverse skin aging and counteract any visible signs.
• Moringa oil can help to balance the production of the skin's natural oils, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.
• Moringa oil’s hydrating and soothing properties complement the OS-01 peptide in OneSkin’s latest formulation, OS-01 EYE, specifically formulated for the delicate, commonly dry skin around the eyes.

By Felix Tajanko: Felix is studying Bioengineering at the University of California - San Diego and is passionate about scientific writing as well as the research of hormones and microhemodynamics.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15086775/
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-014-0065-y
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629919305757
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32142866/
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031321000816
6. https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/effect-of-moringa-oleifera-on-undesireble-skin-sebum-secretions-ofsebaceous-glands-observed-during-winter-season-in-humans.html
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32634640/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26977069/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28003373/