One of the things that I love to study is the connection between the oils we use and the plants and part of the world they come from. Plant oils and the study of the botanical families they come from is a fascinating study and one I want to share more on soon, but today, our focus is a wonderful oil from the Moringa oleifera plant.
Moringa oil is often called the “miracle tree” or “horseradish tree." The plant, Moringa oleifera, comes from the Himalayan foothill region of India and now grows throughout the tropics. It grows fast, is drought-resistant and is one of those very generous plants providing food and nutrition, oil and healing.
A Note on the Botanical Family
Moringa belongs to the family Moringaceae, a small group with no other lipid-producing members. But when we look higher in the taxonomic rank for plants we find a relative: cabbage and mustard (Brassicaceae), papaya (Caricaceae), and meadowfoam (Limnanthaceae). These distant links help explain why Moringa oil has such a distinct lipid profile.
Inside the Seeds: Ben Oil / Behen Oil
Moringa oil is pressed from the seeds, and is often called Ben oil or Behen oil, due to its relatively high concentration of behenic acid (C22:0). Here's the full fatty acid breakdown.
Fatty Acid Breakdown (approximate):
Oleic acid (C18:1): 73%
Behenic acid (C22:0): 7%
Palmitic acid (C16:0): 6%
Stearic acid (C18:0): 5%
Arachic acid (C20:0): 3%
Gadoleic acid (C20:1): 2%
Palmitoleic acid (C16:1): 2%
Linoleic acid (C18:2): 1%
α-Linolenic acid (C18:3): 1%
You'll notice the first entry is Oleic Acid, a very common fatty acid that we find in some percentage in just about every plant oil. Moringa is particularly high in Oleic Acid which tells us it has a relatively long shelf life and you might see cloudy bits if the oil is kept cold (this is the oleic acid solidifying and will reverse when placed back at room temperature).
But what I want to focus on here is the relatively high percentage of three long-chain fatty acids. These are all the fatty acids that are (C20:0) and longer. This is why Moringa oil has such a lovely silky skin feel and slight viscosity.
Moringa Oil for Formulating
Stable and Oxidation-Resistant: With less than 3% polyunsaturated fatty acids, Moringa oil resists rancidity and stores well.
- Fatty Acids: High in oleic acid and palmitoleic acid (omega-7), it softens and supports the skin barrier .
- Antioxidants & Phytosterols: Tocopherols (vitamin E), quercetin, ferulic acid, and zeatin help repair and protect against environmental damage
- Healing & Calming: Traditional use includes treatment for blemishes, wounds, and irritation, and helps with oxidative stress and inflammation .
Enfleurage to Modern Skincare
Moringa oil’s stability has made it a traditional medium for enfleurage, the old art of extracting fragrance from delicate flowers. It has a wonderful ability to absorb and retain volatile scents which has made it a favorite for perfumers before the distillation of essential oils became common.
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Today, this same quality makes Moringa oil a superb carrier oil for actives and a wonderful oil for your facial oils, balms, and serums. I find it layers well with both lighter and heavier oils and holds up well in warmer climates.
A Few Notes on Using Moringa Oil
Facial Oils: Combine with other oils high in monounsaturated fatty acids for a silky, non-greasy serum.
Balms and Creams: Moringa oil contains long-chain fatty acids that lend a luxurious feel on the skin and help support a healthy skin barrier.
Massage Oils: Long shelf life good for massage and body oils
Perfume Bases: Experiment with enfleurage or modern infusion techniques to capture botanical scents.
Thank you sharing this information on Moringa oil. I was using it sometime back and then stopped. I love the fact that it has a very long shelf life which I need to take into consideration when I am formulating.