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Bottom Line: all of these oils are great for anti-aging, and depending on your skin type, one might suit you better than another. Read Below for details!
MARACUJA OIL: for dry, dehydrated skin
MORINGA OIL: for dry, combination, and acne-prone skin
MARULA OIL: for all skin types, especially for anti-aging
While there are plenty of things to love about wintertime,
(and I love thinking about trips to Lake Tahoe in December, getting cozy by the fire after skiing…okay back to the point of this post…)
the havoc that it can wreak on our skin is certainly not one of them. As temperatures drop, so do humidity levels which means that our skin has to work extra hard to retain its moisture.
Between the low humidity, the added dryness caused by central heating and the cold wind, our skin is up against a lot in winter and can often become tight, dry, chapped, cracked and inflamed if not properly hydrated. To add insult to injury, this can get even worse as we age because our skin gets thinner and produces less oil. A bleak midwinter indeed!
When I need a little extra moisture during the colder months, aside from cranking the humidifier, I like to swap my moisturizer for a face oil. Not only are face oils heavier and richer than your average cream moisturizer, but they are also packed with fatty acids and antioxidants that will give your skin an extra boost and help fight the signs of aging.
Natural seed oils have become a big beauty trend in the last while, which is funny because before the invention of synthetic substitutes, seed oils were THE skin care trend all over the world for thousands of years (I’m talking ancient Egypt and Cleopatra)!
Now as more people turn to natural and cruelty-free products, these ancient ingredients are back in the spotlight and can be found in their pure form or in products by some worthy natural and cruelty-free brands.
If your skin is begging for some winter relief, here are three of the best face oils, along with some solid products that can help you incorporate these oils into your skincare routine. Need more inspiration to include oils in your routine? I’ve included some ways in which the stars of old used them to up their looks!
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MARACUJA OIL
Maracuja oil is made from the pressed seeds and flowers of the passionflower plant (Passiflora edulis), which is native to Brazil and other parts of South America. This strangely beautiful plant has been used for nutrition and medicine for centuries, dating as far back to the Aztec empire.
This incredible oil’s secret is that it contains over 70% linoleic acid (aka Vitamin F), a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid that will help hydrate and soothe flaky, dry skin even during the harshest of winters. It’s also rich in antioxidants like lycopene, Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, alkaloids and beta-carotene that help repair damage, fade dark spots and turn the clock back on aging. Its anti-inflammatory benefits make it effective for soothing skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, which have a tendency to flare up when the weather turns cold. Maracuja has a heavy consistency and is best for skin that is very dehydrated.
The cruelty-free brand Tarte doesn’t just make a great Maracuja Face Oil, they actually have an entire line of maracuja-infused makeup that includes everything from foundation to lip gloss so that you can hydrate at every step of your beauty routine!
Or if you’d prefer to just go for the pure stuff, you can’t go wrong with Bella Terra’s organic maracuja oil, which is definitely a more affordable route it you plan on using this on your hair, body or nails as well.Â
Rita Hayworth doused her hair in heated castor oil on a regular basis, in order to dazzle in movies such as Gilda, 1946.
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MORINGA OIL
Moringa oil is extracted from the seedpods of the moringa tree (Moringa pterygosperma), which was originally native to the foothills of the Himalayas and parts of Africa but now grows all over the world. Like the marula tree, the moringa tree is versatile and has long been used for cooking, medicine and cosmetics. The ancient Egyptians used this miracle oil to protect their skin, ward off wrinkles, soften hair and cure common skin ailments.
Moringa oil truly does it all – not only is it hydrating, it’s also anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-aging. Moringa oil is made up of 40% monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, which helps to hydrate, seal and protect your skin from the elements. It’s also chock full of antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties mean that it’s super for treating acne, too! Moringa oil is similar to the oil our skin produces naturally so no matter what your skin ailment is, it can help restore, hydrate and balance your skin.
Mara is a natural, cruelty free, and GMO-free brand that has hopped on the moringa oil bandwagon with their Natural Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil. It also contains algae oil, which has hydrating, soothing and antioxidant properties of its own.
If you prefer the pure stuff or you’re on a budget you can also opt for a straight moringa oil like this one from Mother Earth Organics that will keep your skin hydrated all season long.
Vivien Leigh indulged in regular facials with Madame Lubatti, which included the use of aromatic facial oils, to keep her gorgeous skin fresh.
MARULA OIL
Marula oil is derived from the marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea), which grows in the woodlands and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. This incredibly versatile plant has been an important source of sustenance in Africa for centuries and its fruit, wood and bark can be used to make everything from beer to rope to medicine. Its cosmetic properties lie in its oil and protein-rich kernels, which are cold pressed into marula oil.
Marula oil is good for all skin types and it’s rich but lightweight so it doesn’t feel greasy. It contains amino fatty acids that moisturize and soften the skin during those cold, bitter months of winter. It’s also high in the antioxidants Vitamin C, Vitamin E and epicatechin, which can help to fight against free radical damage from sunlight and pollution that can cause signs of aging. Those same antioxidants can also help break down enzymes that slow collagen and elastin production, leading to plumper and more youthful looking skin.
One of my favorite natural and cruelty-free marula oil products is Drunk Elephant’s Virgin Marula Luxury Oil. This is not cheap but it gets consistent, through-the-roof reviews. This is a pure marula oil without any other fancy ingredients, but the magic (and I’d imagine, the reason for the higher price tag) is in their patented unheated water extraction process, which ensures the oil is as nutrient dense as possible and of the highest quality. It also gives it a longer than average shelf life of three years, which is great if you only plan to use this product in the winter months. Between that and their well-designed bottle that allows you to get every last drop of product, I’d say Drunk Elephant is well worth the price tag.
However if you’d prefer to start with a more budget friendly option, Sky Organics also makes an effective, no-frills, pure marula oil that I would recommend.
So if you find your skin is dry, itchy and irritated this winter, don’t hide – hydrate! Any one of these nourishing, antioxidant- packed oils is sure to help cure your winter skin woes and help you achieve glowing and youthful skin all year round.
Sophia Loren often says the secret to her beauty is eating pasta and bathing in olive oil! She also uses the oil on her face. As an Italian myself, I fully approve, especially the pasta! She looks as if she might’ve just come from one of her oil baths, as she gazes at Gregory Peck in Arabesque, 1966.
And finally,
to give your skin a full breather, a hot cup of tea and a good book on a cold day can’t be beat.
Have you tried any of these oils?Â
Leave your comments below.
For more on skin oils see my post Repair Sun Damage with 3
4 thoughts on “Maracuja, Moringa, or Marula Oils: which one is best for your Skin?”
Another wonderfully informative and enjoyable read. This blog is so professional and rivals any other skin care blog out there! Keep them coming!
Thank you!
This is really valuable information for skincare product users as it helps them demystify the ingredients label!
Thank you. Let me know if you have any questions!