Is Marula Oil the Answer to Perfect Skin and Hair?
By now, you’re probably well aware of our obsession with beauty oils (coconut, argan, jojoba, we’re lookin’ at you). They’re great for moisturizing, anti-aging, cleansing, defrizzing—pretty much everything short of bringing peace to the Middle East. Now it’s time to meet the new oil on the block: marula.
By Stephanie Saltzman with reporting by Brook Le Poer Trench
MarulaOil Rare Oil Treatment
This multitasking product can be used on hair and skin—and we love it equally for both. Our curly-haired tester raved about its thick, flyaway-taming consistency. Applied to damp or dry hair, it adds tons of shine and moisture to ragged, sad-looking ends. The lingering fruity-floral scent is just an added benefit.
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
The entire Drunk Elephant line includes marula oil (the brand’s name comes from the idea that elephants get drunk when they eat marula fruit), but this no-frills oil is our favorite. “Pure marula oil may be especially appropriate for people with sensitive skin,” says Zeichner. This one has no added fragrance and made our tester’s dry winter skin noticeably softer and dewier after just a few nightly uses—not an easy feat.
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Acure Marula Oil
This product is a slightly more affordable version of the pure oil (you can buy a 1-ounce bottle for less than $20). To use it most effectively, apply the oil right after washing your face. “Dot the oil all over the area you want to cover, then rub it in, and connect the dots,” says Zeichner, who recommends layering other products over it. Because the oil absorbs into skin so well, it helps other products you slather on over it absorb better, too. “If you apply an oil before your anti-aging cream, the oil molecules behave like tiny Trojan horses, tricking the skin into letting active ingredients—like retinol, glycolic acid, and vitamin C—deeper into the skin and closer to the collagen-producing fibroblasts, all without irritating the surface,” says David Colbert, a dermatologist in New York City.
MarulaOil Rare Oil Replenishing Shampoo & Conditioner
Both products are infused with marula oil, so they’re intensely smoothing and moisturizing. But hydrating as they may be, the combo is surprisingly lightweight; our tester with fine hair used them and noted that her hair was shiny but not limp or greasy.
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Carol’s Daughter Marula Oil Softening Serum
Formulated specifically for curly hair, this serum smooths frizz and softens ringlets, leaving them glossy and soft. Our curly-haired tester liked the thin consistency because it allowed her to easily spread the product evenly through her hair.
The Body Shop Moisture Foundation SPF 15
Dry-skin-havers, take note: This is one of the most moisturizing foundations we’ve tried. In addition to marula oil, it includes a blend of silicones that smooth and hydrate skin all day, leaving it dewy and supple. (Though it’s probably not enough that you’ll want to give up your moisturizer.)
GET MORE MURALA OIL BEAUTY PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS >
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