Marula ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily an emollient and skin-conditioning lipid, used to soften, reduce transepidermal water loss, and improve slip in creams, balms, oils, and hair products.
What does Marula do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily an emollient and skin-conditioning lipid, used to soften, reduce transepidermal water loss, and improve slip in creams, balms, oils, and hair products.
Is Marula clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well-tolerated and unproblematic, with low irritation potential when fresh and properly refined. Sensitivity is uncommon, but oxidized plant oils can be less comfortable for reactive skin.
Is Marula sustainable?
This ingredient is plant-derived, typically pressed from tree kernels, and is readily biodegradable. Sustainability depends on responsible wild-harvest or cooperative sourcing, traceability, and fair labor practices in the supply chain.
Is Marula COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards when produced through approved physical extraction and processing methods. It fits Green Chemistry principles well because it is renewable, biodegradable, and can be made with low-solvent, low-complexity processing.
How does Marula work chemically?
This material is a triglyceride-rich plant oil, typically high in oleic acid with smaller fractions of linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids plus natural tocopherols and phytosterols. It is commonly used around 1 to 10% in emulsions and can be used much higher in anhydrous oils, with stability improved by antioxidants and protection from heat, light, and air.
Last updated 2026-09-01