Native to the Himalayan mountains, Moringa oleifera is also known as “the miracle tree” due to its abundance of nutritional and medicinal applications. Amazingly, nearly all parts of the tree, including its leaves, seeds, bark, roots, and flowers, can be used to benefit our health and wellness. Full of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats, moringa oil—which is derived from the seeds of the moringa tree—is used as a cooking oil, a moisturizer, and an anti-inflammatory treatment. Studies also show that moringa oil lowers “bad” cholesterol in our bodies.
What’s more, moringa oil also boasts a number of powerful, efficacious anti-aging benefits for our hair and skin. This versatile oil tackles a host of aging concerns at once: Delivering penetrating moisture without becoming greasy or heavy, it keeps the hair strengthened, luscious, and radiant. Furthermore, its healing and hydrating properties enable it to transform dry and aging skin into a radiant, tightened complexion, making it an all-around stellar anti-aging ingredient.
Here, we break down the benefits of moringa oil for both hair and skin. Whether you’re concerned about dry or damaged hair and aging skin, or whether you just want to add an extra boost of radiance to your look, this miracle oil offers a wide range of potent solutions for all your beauty and wellness needs.
BENEFITS OF MORINGA OIL FOR HAIR
It Hydrates Hair And Scalp
Full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids like oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and linoleic acid, moringa oil provides long-lasting moisture to the hair and scalp without leaving them feeling greasy or heavy. As dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, tells Byrdie, “Moringa oil works well when massaged into the scalp. It has anti-inflammatory properties to help with scalp scaling and moisturizes well.” It also balances sebum production, preventing hair from becoming oily. Whether applied to the scalp alone or massaged throughout the hair for extra hydration and radiance, moringa oil makes a luxurious supplement for combating dryness, dandruff, and brittleness.
It Protects The Hair From Damage
Antioxidant-rich moringa oil also helps to combat the free radicals that damage hair and cause it to turn gray. Thus, it protects the hair from damage while also instilling it with deep moisture and radiance. In addition, moringa oil can also treat pre-existing damage to the hair. According to dermatologist Lucy Chen, MD, “The seeds of a moringa tree are also packed with amino acids, which can help repair split ends.
It Makes Hair Radiant And Glowy
Moringa oil’s high behenic acid levels—an ingredient used often in conditioners—also enable it to leave the hair with a healthy radiance and glow. Thanks to its ability to neutralize free radicals and its vitamin-rich composition, moringa oil also helps the hair retain its color, leading to an overall radiant, luscious, and bouncy appearance.
It Strengthens Hair
Nutrients like zinc found in moringa oil also enable it to strengthen the hair. It achieves this by boosting the production of keratin, which fortifies the hair and protects it from breakage. In addition, the antioxidants that combat free radicals in turn strengthen the hair as it protects it from damage.
It Stimulates Growth
The presence of zinc in moringa oil not only strengthens the hair, but also stimulates hair growth for a full, healthy-looking mane. Studies also show the positive effects of zinc in combating hair loss. When applied to the hair, moringa oil can thus increase the appearance of voluminousness and lushness.
MORINGA OIL BENEFITS FOR YOUTHFUL, WRINKLE-FREE SKIN
It Fortifies The Skin Barrier
Moringa oil’s high levels of oleic acid enable it to fortify the skin barrier by providing deep, lasting hydration and protecting the skin from environmental damage like free radicals, pollution, and sunlight. As the skin barrier strengthens, it becomes more effective in slowing the formation of wrinkles and age spots, contributing to glowing, tight, and healthy skin.
It Reduces Fine Lines And Wrinkles
Thanks to its ability to strengthen the skin barrier through its high fatty acid content, moringa oil protects the skin from the environmental damage that causes wrinkles to form. Furthermore, according to dermatologist Hadley King, MD, “Because of its high content of vitamin E, moringa oil has potent antioxidant properties.” These antioxidants help combat existing free radical damage to the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
It Makes Skin Glow
Moringa oil is rich in vitamins like vitamins A, C, and E, which improve skin elasticity, restore damage, and imfuse the skin with a healthy, natural glow. Vitamin C in particular boasts potent and regenerative properties that combat free radicals, increase collagen production, and soothe inflammation. As a naturally mild exfoliant, it evens the skin tone and brightens the complexion. As a 2014 study further demonstrates, nutrient-rich moringa oil helps revitalize the skin and promote a radiant, youthful appearance.
It Combats Inflammation
Moringa oil is also full of bioactive compounds like tocopherols, catechins, and ferulic acid, whose powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it an effective tool against inflammation and acne. Studies show that moringa also promotes wound healing, further demonstrating its restorative and regenerative properties.
UMA Recommends:
Ready to try out this miracle ingredient for yourself? Whether you’re looking to benefit your hair, skin, or both, we recommend products that incorporate all the potent benefits of moringa oil. Check out our Absolute Anti Aging Body Balm and Flawlessly Firming Chest Neck and Décolletage Serum to increase skin radiance and combat signs of aging, and our Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil to deeply moisturize and strengthen the hair.
