Congratulations mama! You are soon to welcome your little bundle of joy.
If you are here, the hormones and physiological changes must have been doing a number on your skin, am I right?
First of all, worry not, because many pregnant women experience changes in their skin like dryness, blotchy patches, acne, and melasma.
However, it is important to switch your skincare routine to keep your skin loved and hydrated while you grow a miracle inside of you.
You have to be mindful of what you put on your body. Many popular skincare ingredients (such as retinol) might be unsafe for pregnant and nursing women.
This is why we are about to discuss a hydrating and nourishing oil, known as Marula oil. Full of fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids, marula oil hydrates, nourishes, protects, and repairs the skin, making it a great option for those stretch marks1.
What Is Marula Oil?
Marula oil, otherwise known as Sclerocarya birrea, is found in the kernels of the fruit of the Marula tree, native to Africa. It has been used by generations as hair, massage, and body oil for its hydrating, healing, and nourishing properties.
This fast-absorbing oil has a harmonious blend of antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C), phenolic acids, fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid), amino acids (L-arginine and glutamate), and flavonoids2.
Sclerocarya birrea hydrates the skin, makes fine lines and wrinkles smooth, and also helps to reduce inflammation and redness, without leaving a greasy or oily residue.
As it restores skin elasticity, vitamin E helps with collagen production, which makes it great for hydrating dry skin and combating stretch marks.
Being an anti-inflammatory oil, it repairs damaged skin, and improves skin elasticity, while strengthening the skin barrier. These properties make it exceptionally great for people with dry, flaky, irritated, or dehydrated skin.
Other Names Of Marula Oil
It is also known as Sclerocarya birrea, its scientific name.
Some people call it the miracle oil3, and even the elixir of youth4.
Who Should Use Marula Oil
Marula oil is best for people with the following skin conditions and types, with proven results:
- Dry skin – Because of its hydrating properties.
- Dehydrated skin – For its moisturizing, healing, and occlusive properties5.
- Flaky or rough skin with dry patches – Since marula oil provides deep hydration and nourishes the skin.
- Sensitive skin – For its anti-inflammatory abilities to soothe redness and irritation and promote wound healing
- Mature skin – Because it can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, premature aging, and free radical damage.
Who Should NOT Use Marula Oil
- Oily and acne-prone skin – Since Marula oil is comedogenic, it can end up clogging pores, which is not favorable for acne-prone and oily skin types.
- People with nut allergies – If you have known nut allergies, there is a possibility of experiencing an allergic reaction to marula oil6.
What Percentage Of Marula Oil Is Best?
100% cold-pressed Marula oil is the best7. Since it is free from preservatives and additives, it is great for pregnant women.
Is Marula Facial Oil Safe For Pregnancy?
If you’re expecting mama, dealing with all those skin issues like dry skin, flakiness, or stretch marks, which usually marula oil helps with, you may be now wondering if you can use this oil during those 9 magical months.
So, is marula oil safe during pregnancy?
Yes, marula oil is safe for pregnant women and is used by women all over the world to combat stretch marks.
Apart from being a great moisturizer, it is rich in fatty acids and promotes skin elasticity, collagen, and firmness. This makes it one of the best things to massage onto your skin/body to heal, treat, and prevent stretch marks.
However, there are not a lot of clinical studies to back it, despite no recorded side effects. This is why you should always proceed with a patch test to rule out any allergic reaction8.
That being said, it is a safer alternative to many skincare ingredients that are not recommended to be used during pregnancy. For instance, retinol and dermal fillers are to be avoided.
Marula oil steps up as a safe alternative to address wrinkles, fine lines, skin texture, and collagen levels while adding moisture to the skin.
Clinical studies have proven marula oil to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties9, so if you have sensitive acne-prone skin, this might be the best thing for you to use when pregnant.
However, there is one caveat for acne-prone and oily skin. Since Marula tree oil is comedogenic (3-4 rating on the comedogenic scale rating10), it means it can clog pores and exacerbate breakouts.
Hence if you have blemish-prone skin originally, or your skin is breaking out in pregnancy, marula oil is not a good choice for you.
Is Drunk Elephant Marula Oil Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, Drunk Elephant Marula Oil is safe during pregnancy.
Marula Oil Benefits For Skin During Pregnancy
Enlisted below are some amazing benefits of Marula Oil for the skin during pregnancy:
- Great moisturizer
Since it is rich in essential fatty acids, amino acids and vitamins, it is a great oil to add to your skincare regimen. It deeply hydrates the skin and boosts the skin barrier, something which is very important in pregnant women who often suffer from dryness.
- Full of antioxidants
As it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it prevents oxidative stress brought about by free radicals and prevents premature aging.
Since pregnant women are to steer clear of certain ingredients that address this aspect but are unsafe during pregnancy, marula oil is suitable for them for its anti-aging benefits.
- No more stretch marks
It boosts the production of collagen, improves skin elasticity, and heals wounds, which helps with stretch marks. It also has healing properties, which help repair and protect the skin11.
- Soothes the skin
Marula oil is known for its effectiveness to reduce the appearance of redness, irritation, and inflammation (blotchiness). This quality makes it a great option for pregnant ladies, who often experience changes such as dryness, increased sensitivity, and more.
- Alleviates itchiness
As your skin stretches to accommodate your growing belly, it often gets super itchy. Applying Marula or Sclerocarya birrea oil topically can help relieve the itching and provide deep moisture to the skin.
- Safe and natural
Many products include irritating ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives, which are not safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Hence using pure and cold-pressed oil is safe and natural, instead of harmful and synthetic ingredients.
- Nourishing
Since this oil is rich in fatty acids, amino acids, multivitamins, and antioxidants, applying it topically can help nourish, heal, hydrate, and protect the skin, giving it the TLC it deserves.
Is Marula Oil Good For Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are a part and parcel of pregnancy, and there is no denying that. As the belly grows, the skin stretches, and the lack of collagen and moisture leads to red or purple stretch marks. Once the baby is here, and our skin starts healing, the stretch marks turn white or light.
Marula tree oil boosts collagen production and skin elasticity, in addition to its healing and skin-firming properties. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that promotes cell regeneration and skin firmness. Hence applying Marula oil helps in reducing the appearance of stretch marks12.
Can I Use Marula Oil While Breastfeeding?
During breastfeeding, you have to be mindful of everything you put in and on your body.
Though marula or Sclerocarya birrea is one of those oils that has been used to massage babies for a long time, it is absolutely important to consult your healthcare provider about using marula oil while breastfeeding.
Generally speaking, it is safe to use when breastfeeding, but it still needs to be backed up effectively by research.
What Face Oils Are Safe During Pregnancy
The following face oils are safe and beneficial during pregnancy:
Jojoba oil
It is a soothing and anti-inflammatory oil, with moisturizing and balancing properties.
Argan oil
Rich in fatty acids and multivitamins, argan oil hydrates and nourishes, while being well-tolerated generally.
Safflower oil
It retains moisture and soothes the skin.
Sweet almond oil:
Almond oil is lightweight, non-greasy, and hydrates deeply. It’s also great for damaged hair after bleaching and helps to make them silky again.
Marula oil
As discussed, it is a moisturizing, healing, and nourishing oil that soothes inflammation.
Rosehip oil
Rich in essential fatty acids, multivitamins, carotenoids, and minerals, rosehip oil has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, repairing, and anti-aging benefits.
Check out my comparison article here, if you’re debating between marula and rosehip oil. It will help you decide which one has best moisturizing effects for your skin.
Grapeseed oil
It acts as a great moisturizer and helps even out the skin tone, making it great for hyperpigmentation (melasma).
Sunflower seed oil
It is full of antioxidants and a really good moisturizer.
Squalane oil
It is a super moisturizing, lightweight, and non-comedogenic oil full of antioxidants that slow down the wear and tear by free radicals.
Vitamin E oil
It promotes healthy skin and helps reduce stretch marks.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
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Resources:
- https://www.ever-eden.com/
- https://www.ijisrt.com/
- https://vibrantbodymind.co.uk/
- https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/
- https://africanbotanics.com/
- https://www.thieme-connect.com/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- https://www.natureinbottle.com/
- https://draxe.com/
