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Moringa seed oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant: a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that's native to the Indian subcontinent near the Himalayan mountains, but widely cultivated across the globe. The moringa oleifera tree has been dubbed the Miracle Tree (also called the drumstick tree) for its hardiness and abundant nutritional and homeopathic uses - all components of the tree, from its leaves to its seeds, to its roots, can be utilized for food, supplements, and cosmetic purposes. Leaves of the moringa plant contain seven times the vitamin C of an orange, four times the calcium of dairy milk, and three times the potassium of a banana when compared gram for gram! Plus amino acids and essential nutrients that support good health.
Moringa oil, which we use in some of our products, is a lightweight, golden-olive oil with a mild nutty scent. It's packed with fatty acids – most dominantly oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat. It's rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E and has a wonderful smoothing effect on skin and hair. A natural fixative and stable oil thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants, it's often used as a carrier oil (one of the popular carrier oils alongside jojoba oil and almond oil) for volatile fragrances and is often used in aromatherapy for this purpose.
Lightweight, yet intensely nourishing, moringa oil is excellent for applications to both hair and skin.
Benefits of moringa oil for skin
Similar in composition to the sebum that we naturally produce, moringa oil is well-tolerated by most skin types, and is able to nourish and support the skin barrier, without feeling overly heavy or leaving greasy residue. As an emollient, it forms a protective barrier to help seal moisture in the upper layers of the skin to prevent dry skin. It is a key ingredient in our vegan lip balms!
Traditional Asian and African medicine tout its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it commonly used as a healing salve for minor cuts and burns. Some peer-reviewed studies have been conducted to explore its healing properties and potential for combatting breakouts. Its high concentration of vitamins C and A could help plump the appearance of skin and reduce the prominence of fine lines.
As with any new ingredient, we recommend doing a patch test before applying to your face or body.
Benefits of moringa oil for hair
Containing a fatty acid known as behenic acid, moringa seed oil is exceptionally smoothing for hair strands and the hair shaft. A fantastic emollient, it helps restore softness and shine to dry hair and damaged hair, whilst still feeling lightweight. It can help with split ends and overall hair health without weighing down fine hair or coating hair follicles. Some people incorporate it into their hair care routine for scalp health, using it as a scalp treatment or in a scalp massage, sometimes mixed with essential oils.
It's not currently used in any of our hair care products, but it is an ingredient we certainly are interested in utilizing more... so watch this space!
Note: This information is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. If you're experiencing significant hair loss or have concerns about your scalp health or hair health, please seek medical advice from a healthcare professional for additional information.
Ethique products that contain moringa oil
Our nourishing plastic-free lip balms
Moringa oil has a high concentration of fatty acids and antioxidants, giving it excellent nourishing properties. So naturally, it was the perfect ingredient to include in our lip balms.
Packed with other luxurious plant-based ingredients; cocoa butter, castor seed, and jojoba oils, our lip balms nourish and leave your lips feeling smooth and supple for longer. This concoction of heavy-moisture-hitters lock in hydration for your lips. In fact, 94% of testers found an immediate improvement in the appearance of dry lips!
Where does moringa seed oil come from?
Our Moringa seed oil is sourced directly from growers in Rwanda through social enterprise Asili Oils, who help connect hundreds of small-holder farmers with international brands (like us at Ethique) to support the local communities through this primarily women-run industry.
We’re big believers in the honest and fair or direct trade of ingredients as it has far-reaching benefits for the communities and creates a better environment for human health. Not only does fair and direct trade ensure fair prices, reliable income, and good working conditions for the growers, but it also reduces the environmental impact of raw materials sourcing. When growers are not under pressure to over-use the land for resources in order to survive, they are far more inclined to cultivate crops in a sustainable manner. It also ensures longevity – techniques and skills can be passed down for generations to continue to support economic and social progression for the long-term.
References:
Meireles, D., Gomes, J., Lopes, L. et al. (2020). A review of properties, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of Moringa oleifera: integrative approach on conventional and traditional Asian medicine. ADV TRADIT MED (ADTM) 20, 495–515.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-020-00468-0
Nadeem, M., Imran, M. (2016). Promising features of Moringa oleifera oil: recent updates and perspectives. Lipids Health Dis 15, 212.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-016-0379-0
Stohs, S. J., & Hartman, M. J. (2015). Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleifera. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 29(6), 796–804.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5325
Coppin, Julia. (2008) A study of the nutritional and medicinal values of Moringa oleifera leaves from sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal and Zambia.
https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3MG7PVN
https://www.renature.co/articles/moringa-oleifera-the-miracle-tree/
