What is marula oil in skincare?
Marula oil is cold-pressed from the kernels of the marula fruit, native to southern Africa. It is a light, fast-absorbing oil that is very high in oleic acid – often 70 to 80% – with vitamin E, phenolic antioxidants and amino acids.
Despite being oleic-dominant it has an unusually light skin feel, and its high antioxidant content makes it exceptionally resistant to oxidation compared with most plant oils.
What skin concerns does marula oil treat?
It hydrates and softens dry, dehydrated and mature skin, improves suppleness, and reduces the tightness that comes with a depleted barrier. Its antioxidants support skin against environmental and inflammatory stress.
It is often used on the face, body, cuticles and hair ends, and is popular for stretch marks. Because it is high in oleic acid it is better suited to normal, dry and mature skin than to congested, oily skin.
What ingredients are best paired with marula oil?
Apply it over a hydrating serum – hyaluronic acid, glycerin or niacinamide – so it seals moisture in, and combine it with ceramides for barrier repair.
It also works well as a final step over a retinoid to reduce flaking. Its stability means it keeps longer than lighter oils like grapeseed or rosehip without refrigeration. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is melasma?
Melasma is a common form of acquired hyperpigmentation that appears as symmetrical brown or greyish-brown patches, most often across the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and jawline. It develops when melanocytes – the pigment-producing cells in the skin – become overactive and deposit excess melanin into the epidermis, the dermis, or both.
It is far more common in women and in medium to deeper skin tones, and it behaves as a chronic, relapsing condition rather than a one-off mark – which is why management matters as much as treatment.
What causes melasma?
Three triggers dominate: ultraviolet and visible light exposure, hormonal change (pregnancy, oral contraceptives and hormone therapy – hence its nickname, the mask of pregnancy), and genetic predisposition.
Heat, visible light from sunlight and screens, inflammation from harsh products or aggressive procedures, and certain medications all make existing patches worse. Because the triggers are ongoing, melasma typically fades and returns rather than clearing permanently.
What ingredients are best for melasma?
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable, and a tinted mineral SPF containing iron oxides is best because it also screens the visible light that drives pigment production.
On top of that, the most evidence-backed actives are tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, liquorice root extract, retinoids and gentle alpha-hydroxy acids. Avoid harsh scrubs and strong heat, both of which can rebound the pigment. Take our Skin Quiz to build a routine around your skin tone and triggers.
