The Surprising Truth About Marula Oil for Your Face: Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Written by Dr. Heather Smith without Ai generated content. Links are non-affiliate.

Marula oil is often marketed as a skincare miracle, but the truth is more complicated.

While it has some benefits, its fatty acid profile makes it a poor choice for many skin types—especially if you’re prone to breakouts.

Let’s break down when it works, when it doesn’t, and which oils are better alternatives.

In this article, we'll explore why marula oil is only suitable for some and we'll give you a list of better, non-comedogenic oils to pursue instead.

TL/DR:

Marula oil is NOT the best facial oil for most people—but it works well for:

✅ Deep body moisturization (elbows, knees, hands)
✅ Chapped lips & brittle nails
✅ Stretch marks & scar care
✅ Frizz control & dry hair treatments
✅ People who already use and love it

🛑 Avoid marula oil if:
❌ You have acne-prone, oily, or very sensitive skin
❌ You need a lightweight facial oil
❌ You want stronger anti-aging or brightening effects

What is Marula Oil? History, Science, & Myths

A Traditional African Beauty Secret

Sclerocarya birrea (marula) oil is derived from the nuts of the marula tree, which grows in parts of Southern Africa. It's been used for centuries by locals to treat various skin conditions. Yet, there isn't much data out there to support its effectiveness.

The marula tree has been a source of nutrition for thousands of years, with evidence showing its use dating back to 10,000 B.C. It's a botanical treasure of Africa, often called the tree of life. Its fruits and nuts are rich in minerals and vitamins.

Marula trees grow up to 18 meters tall. The fruit is edible and high in vitamin C, and the tree has many uses, including as a source of wood for carving, bark for rope-making and dyeing, and leaves for medicinal purposes. The marula fruit can be used to make jam, juices, and alcoholic beverages, but scientists have debunked the myth that elephants get drunk off the fermented fruit.

Marula oil itself consists mainly of oleic acid and palmitic acid. Despite being marketed as an effective facial moisturizer or treatment for wrinkles and other signs of aging, it's important to know that pure marula oil isn't suitable for all skin types.

What's Inside? Marula Oil's Fatty Acid Profile

Virgin marula oil consists primarily of oleic acid - an omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid. However, it also contains smaller amounts of palmitic acid, a fatty acid which may be more irritating than beneficial. 

Oleic acid isn't a "bad" oil, but it needs to be offset with high levels of linoleic acid to ensure you receive the positive benefits and not the side effects.

• Oleic acid (omega-9): 70-78%
• Palmitic acid: 9-12%
• Stearic acid: 5-8%
• Linoleic acid (omega-6): 4-7% 😢 
• Arachidonic acid (omega-6): < 0.5%
• Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3): < 0.5%
• Eicosanoic acid: < 0.5%

Is Marula Oil Good for your Face? The Pros and Cons

Why it Works for Dry Skin (but not for everyone)

While there may be some benefits from using marula oil for face care, it does not offer any notable advantages compared to other facial oils.

The fatty acid profile makes marula oil "just ok" for skin that's very dry, otherwise it's found itself on our list of worst oils for the face.

Oleic acid, in high concentrations, can be irritating, cause inflammation, and clog pores - unless it's balanced out with a high percentage of linoleic acid. 

Oils, like argan, that are high in oleic acid AND linoleic acid are the best for your facial skin because the balance gives you the best of both worlds - the oleic acid moisturizes and the linoleic acid reduces inflammation and acne.

It's also worth noting that even though marula oil does contain antioxidants, these components aren't as potent as what one would find in other types of facial moisturizers or anti-aging treatments available on the market today.

Those looking for significant results from using marula oil alone will likely end up disappointed, no matter how much they apply or how frequent their usage is over time.

Pore-Clogging Risk: Marula Oil Comedogenic Rating

For most people selecting an oil for their face, we don't recommend using oils with a comedogenic rating greater than two.

The oils rated three and above are more likely to clog pores. The oils in the "3" range are borderline and can still be beneficial for some people with very dry skin. 

Definitely skip marula oil for acne treatment!

If you're looking to target acne or oily skin, there are so many other oils that are universally more balanced and beneficial for all skin types, including oily or acne-prone.

Our list of favourite face oils is long; start by considering abyssinian, argan, meadowfoam, pomegranate, rosehip and squalane (the best face oil ever). 

The True Benefits of Marula Oil

The body is where marula oil can really shine. Like coconut oil (another oil preferable on the body rather than the face), marula will help get your dry, flaky skin back in check.

Marula Oil Benefits: When It Works Best

Marula oil is deeply moisturizing, making it a great addition to body care, hair treatments, and dry skin routines. If you have very dry and flaky skin, you might enjoy these benefits:

✔ Intense Moisturization – Although the fatty acid profile makes marula bad for your face, it is still excellent as a body oil for rough elbows, knees, and hands.

✔ Chapped Lips & Brittle Nails – Marula oil is excellent for softening dry lips and strengthening fragile nails and cuticles.

✔ Stretch Mark & Scar Care – While it won’t magically erase scars, it may help improve skin elasticity and texture over time.

✔ Hair & Scalp Hydration – Marula oil can smooth frizz and flyaways, making it a popular choice for dry, coarse, or curly hair types. A few drops applied to damp ends can add shine and softness.

Is Marula Oil Farming Sustainable

Ensure that you choose a brand or product certified by an international standard such as Ecocert - certifying sustainable farming practices behind their production process.

Due to the way in which marula oils have traditionally been produced, ethical concerns often arise surrounding the sustainability of their production process. Although Ecocert or organic certification ensures a certain level of ethical standards are met during harvesting and manufacturing processes, much of the industry remains unregulated, leaving consumers unsure whether they can trust what brands claim about their sourcing practices.

Certified organic marula oil does exist, but much of it is wild-harvested, so the growing environment won't be altered (but the risk of overfarming does exist).

Wild harvesting can have some advantages (local economic growth), but also risk for exploitation if wages aren't appropriate or if proper agricultural practices aren't taught and encouraged. 

Conclusion

The use of marula oil on the face is a controversial topic among skincare experts. While some believe it improves skin tone, texture and hydration, others argue that the fatty acid profile puts it on the bottom of the list for facial oils.

Because of the unbalanced fatty acid profile, marula oil isn't suitable for all skin types - those with sensitive, acne-prone, or oily skin need to be extra cautious when considering adding this product into their routine, as it could worsen existing conditions, including clogged pores and acne.

If you do use it, start with dry skin areas like nails, cuticles, stretch marks, knees, and elbows. If you have severe dryness on your skin or scalp, it's still ok to try it for overall hair health or facial use; it's just not for everyone.

FAQ: Marula Oil – What You Need to Know

Is marula oil good for all skin types?

Not necessarily. While marula oil is great for very dry skin, it has a high comedogenic rating (3), meaning it may clog pores for acne-prone, oily, or sensitive skin.

Does marula oil clog pores?

Yes, marula oil contains high levels of oleic acid and low linoleic acid, which increases the risk of clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation for some skin types.

What is marula oil best used for?

Marula oil works best for body moisturization, chapped lips, brittle nails, stretch marks, and frizz control in dry or curly hair. It’s not ideal for most facial skincare routines.

Is marula oil good for anti-aging?

While marula oil contains some antioxidants, it is not as powerful as other anti-aging oils like bakuchiol, rosehip, or pomegranate seed oil.

Is marula oil lightweight or heavy?

Marula oil is a richer, heavier oil, making it better suited for body care and hair treatments rather than everyday facial use.

Is marula oil sustainable?

It depends on the source. Wild-harvested marula oil supports local economies but can lead to overfarming and ethical concerns. Look for Ecocert-certified brands to ensure sustainability.

References

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• Shoko T, Maharaj VJ, Naidoo D, Tselanyane M, Nthambeleni R, Khorombi E, Apostolides Z. Anti-aging potential of extracts from Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst and its chemical profiling by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Feb 7;18(1):54. 
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• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/87559129.2012.660716