Ingredients Barrier repair Marula Oil
71Mu
Tier · Anecdotal evidence
Barrier repair · Antioxidant

Marula Oil

INCI: Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil · Also called: Marula Seed Oil

A rich, fast-absorbing oil for very dry or mature skin. Clinically tested as gentle on sensitive complexions, with mild brightening from its polyphenols.

For your skin

A rich, fast-absorbing oil for very dry or mature skin. Clinically tested as gentle on sensitive complexions, with mild brightening from its polyphenols.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

African nut oil with 70-78% oleic acid plus high tocopherol content; clinically non-comedogenic and non-irritating, with significant antioxidant and tyrosinase-modulating activity.

Why we tier this anecdotal

4 cited papers across 3 countries. Most of what's cited here is mechanism-level or in-vitro work. We track this as Anecdotal until controlled clinical trials accumulate.

2
International
1
China
1
European Union

Cited research

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Efficacy Evaluation of N-Acyl-Phytosphingosine Prepared from Marula Oil Derived Fatty Acids in Skin Barrier Repair, Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2026 — 28-day clinical trial (n=32) of 0.05% marula-oil-derived ceramide cream showed reduced TEWL and redness, increased skin thickness and density; outperformed standard C18-ceramide on anti-inflammatory activity

2026Positive — efficacyPMID:41809528View source ↗
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Poljsak N, Kocevar Glavac N (Slovenia), Vegetable Butters and Oils as Therapeutically and Cosmetically Active Ingredients for Dermal Use: A Review of Clinical Studies, Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022 — systematic review of clinical evidence for 17 plant-derived dermal oils including marula

2022Meta-analysis — positivePMID:35548366View source ↗
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Shoko T et al. (South Africa, Univ. Pretoria), Anti-aging potential of extracts from Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018;18(1):54

2018Mechanism onlyPMID:29415712View source ↗
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Komane B et al. (South Africa), Safety and efficacy of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst (Marula) oil: A clinical perspective, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2015;176:327-335

2015Positive — efficacyPMID:26528587View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.