Matcha and turmeric can move over for a second, because there’s another natural ingredient making a buzz in the beauty sphere — and there isn’t much it can’t do. Enter the (not so) humble moringa leaf. The unassuming plant’s oils and extracts have actually been used in herbal medicinal practises for centuries, but it’s suddenly gaining traction amongst nutritionists and skin and hair specialists alike, with luxe beauty brands such as UMA, Farmacy and Herbatint, to name but a few, all jumping on board.
Here’s why you should be putting moringa on your face (and everywhere else) ASAP…
1. Skin
Moringa has the muscle to minimise breakouts, wrinkles and guard against pollution
It’s good news for those with problem skin, because moringa is filled to bursting with vitamin A (what retinol is derived from) and it’s one of the most potent vitamins out there for near perfect skin. When applied topically, it encourages the skin cells to renew themselves at a lightning speed, helping to limit pesky breakouts, blur blemishes and pigmentation, and iron fine lines into oblivion. Flawless complexion, here we come.
It gets better, though. The unsung skincare ingredient is also packed with moisture magnet and antioxidant vitamin E, which makes it perfect for combating the double whammy of dry, flaky skin (thanks, winter and central heating) as well as pollution and other environmental aggressors.
Try…
– Emma Hardie, Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm, £39
This moringa cleansing balm obliterates even the hardiest of foundation and mascara without stripping the skin of moisture. Get a hot cloth involved and it’s like a mini facial.
– Odacite Very Dry Serum Concentrate, £39
Flaky forehead? Dehydration lines? Uncomfortable tightness? Make them a thing of the past by amping up your daily moisturiser with just a single drop of this booster. Moringa maintains healthy cells and the added petitgrain oil moisturises and plumps.
– LUSH Magical Moringa Primer, £25.95
Don’t let the word ‘oil’ put you off – this is virtually like Velcro for make-up. The results are intensely soft, nourished skin and zero slipping and sliding. You only need a dot.
2. Hair
Moringa will give you the softest, strongest hair ever
Argan, coconut, macadamia — if your hair is prone to frizz, breakage and parched ends, you probably think you’ve tried all of the hair oils out there, but stylists and colourists are touting moringa oil as the next best thing in haircare — and we can vouch for that — our lengths have never felt softer.
“Many of my clients want natural hair products that don’t compromise on the effectiveness of the results and moringa is a great place to start,” says Theo Bambacas, master colourist at Supernatural salon. “It’s a powerhouse ingredient to apply to your hair because it has a large variety of rich minerals including zinc (essential for healthy hair production) and antioxidants to help boost keratin production. It helps restore strength, promote hair growth and repair damage.”
Try…
– Herbatint Organic Moringa Repair Shampoo, £9.99 and Conditioner, £10.99
About 99.8 percent of the ingredients in Herbatint’s shampoo and conditioner duo are of natural origin but don’t underestimate their ability to totally transform lacklustre lengths. Expect a shine to rival a shampoo-ad model and less breakage. P.S. They’re both sulphate free, so perfectly safe for coloured or keratin-treated hair.
– UMA Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil, £54
This is as luxe as hair oil gets. The moringa, jojoba and grape seed oils help keep frizz and flyaways on lock-down without the heavy, greasy feel and the citrussy scent is a surefire pick me up on grey winter mornings.
– OUAI Curl Jelly, £22
Along with silk proteins and keratin, a moringa oil blend in this clever gel-oil formula helps define corkscrews and spirals, making them gusty and springy, not crispy or weighed down. Girls with curls, rejoice.
3. Body
Moringa can help fight post-HIIT fatigue
Essential for building and maintaining healthy muscles, moringa is estimated to contain several times more iron than spinach, which means incorporating it into your diet could help alleviate barrecore-induced soreness.
Try…
– KIKI HEALTH Organic Moringa Powder, £10
This velvety green powder may look exactly like matcha but tastes like a mixture of green tea and spinach with a peppery edge. Don’t let that put you off, though. Stirred into smoothies, it’s virtually undetectable but boasts heaps of benefits.
– Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder, £7.99
Teamed with a squeeze of honey, this smooth, earthy powder, made from naturally dried moringa leaves, gives porridge an extra health kick.
4. Wellness
Moringa can help combat stress and boost the immune system
There’s no denying the effects that stress can have on both our body and skin, like spots and feeling run down, but according to nutritionists, sprinkling moringa powder into your morning latte, and even using the leaves as a salad garnish, might just have the ability to counteract them.
“Moringa is an excellent food for the immune system,” says nutritionist Cassandra Barns. “It’s high in iron, and in beta-carotene, which our body uses to make vitamin A – these are essential immunity nutrients. Moringa leaf is also said to have ‘adaptogenic’ properties, meaning it can help protect against the effects of stress.”
Anything that keeps a cold away gets our vote.
From: Elle UK
