• The ordinary | Virgin marula oil

    Oils are staples in my skincare routine. When chosen appropriately, I think most people can benefit from them. Today, I’m going to review the 100% cold-pressed virgin marula oil from The Ordinary.

    I’ve been using facial oils instead of moisturizers for quite some time now. (It’s such an interesting topic; I’ll write a dedicated post about it!) Essentially, they help to seal in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier which is key to promote healthy, balanced skin.

    After hearing so many good things about marula oil, I was excited to see that the Ordinary (one of the brands under the Deciem umbrella) made one. So, of course, I immediately bought a bottle. At first, I didn’t know what to expect from a single-ingredient oil since I had previously only used oil blends. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised!

    What is it?

    Marula oil is derived from the fruit of the marula tree. It’s highly concentrated in oleic acid (omega-9) which is great for nourishing and softening the skin. It also contains a smaller amount of linoleic acid (omega-6) which helps to strengthen the skin barrier and thus prevent dehydration. Plus, it’s full of antioxydants meaning that the skin is better protected from the environment. I find marula to be a good all-rounder oil.

    Let’s talk about the texture. This almost clear oil has a low viscosity (although I heard that it depends on the brand because some are heavier and richer in consistency). The Ordinary’s marula oil penetrates quickly into the skin without feeling greasy. However, you definitely notice the much-wanted added glow!

    Marula oil plumps the skin and leaves it feeling silky smooth. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it also has a soothing action. I noticed that my skin was less red and my complexion was more even. Regarding its natural scent, it isn’t overwhelming. To me, it smells slightly earthy and nutty.

     How to use it?

    Like many facial oils, this is a versatile product. You can use it on its own instead of moisturizer (my preferred application). You can also mix it with your cream or use it on top of it. (I would only use oils underneath a cream if I was seeking to comfort and sort of cocoon my skin. Oil being occlusive, the moisturizer would only play the role of an overcoat and wouldn’t be able to penetrate into the skin. This is fine if you’re using a basic hydrating lotion, not so much if you’re paying a lot of money for fancy ingredients.)

    I find that three drops are enough during the day for my face and neck. I tend to apply more at night because I like to take more time to massage it in. It was especially great to use this oil during the winter. I’m using a lighter oil at the moment for testing purposes. I easily could have continued with the marula though.

    (As a side note, I know that it can also be used on hair but I haven’t tried that yet.)

    To sum it up, marula oil really agrees with my skin : it soothes, balances and protects it. It has now become one of my favorite skincare products. I’m interested in trying marula oils from other brands to see whether there is a difference in quality/results, if only to have another point of comparison.

    1 Comment

    1. CLAIRE
      June 6, 2018 / 8:04 am

      c’est une huile que j’utilise tous les jours ,j’en ajoute quelques gouttes dans ma crème hydratante et elle est parfaite ,pour moi qui est une peau sèche je n’ai aucune sensation de tiraillement

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