Marula Oil: Evidence and Safety

Quick safety points

• The only human study we found on the oil itself tested 20 healthy women. It found the oil did not irritate their skin over 96 hours. That is a small, short test, not proof that no one will react. [1]
• Marula belongs to the cashew and mango plant family (Anacardiaceae). In one lab study of children with suspected cashew allergy, some were also sensitised to related plants such as mango, but that study did not test marula. We found no source on marula oil and nut allergy, so if you have a tree-nut allergy, ask your allergist before use. [10][11]
• Marula oil is often sold at a high price, and tests of shop-bought oils found some odd samples that may point to blending or contamination. Buy from sellers who say what is in the bottle. [4][5]
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies, pets and medicines are not covered in the sources we read. See the safety checklist. Do a patch test first.

What marula oil is

Marula oil is pressed from the kernel (the seed inside the hard stone) of the marula fruit, from the tree Sclerocarya birrea. The tree grows in southern and other parts of Africa. The fruit pulp is eaten and used for drinks, and the nuts are also eaten. [6] The sources we read do not say how each commercial oil is pressed, so we cannot say how many are cold-pressed or refined.

In plain words, marula oil is mostly oleic acid, the same main fat as in olive oil. One lab analysis of an oil used in a skin trial found 69% oleic acid, 15% palmitic acid, 9% linoleic acid, 4% palmitoleic acid and 1.5% stearic acid. [1] A Zimbabwean kernel-oil sample was about 73% oleic acid and 8% linoleic acid. [3] Compared with olive and macadamia oils, marula oil has no alpha-linolenic acid, according to a study of 44 shop-bought oils. [4] Exact numbers vary by tree, place and batch. How it feels on skin was not measured in the sources we read.

How it is used

It is used as a face and body oil, in lotions, lipsticks and foundations, and as a hair oil. [1] It can be used on its own or mixed with other oils; see carrier oils explained. The kernel is also eaten as a nut. For cooking oils, see Oils & Fats.

Traditional use (not proof)

The research literature says the Zulu people of South Africa, among others, applied the oil to keep skin healthy. [1] The fruit and nuts are traditional foods in southern Africa. [6] Traditional use does not show that the oil works. We did not find a source we read that describes women's cooperatives making marula oil, so we do not describe them here. One paper on Namibian wild-plant products mentions small-scale processing and cooperatives in general, without detail on marula. [9]

What research shows

There is no good evidence on marula oil for acne, eczema, scars, stretch marks, hair growth or ageing. We found one small human study of the oil itself.

A review of 27 skin studies lists marula oil among 17 oils and says healthy skin may tolerate oleic-rich oils, while inflamed skin (for example eczema) may be harmed by them. [2] Marula oil is 9% linoleic acid, so this caution may apply to people with eczema or damaged skin. This is a reasoned point from that review, not a marula trial.

Lab and animal findings: in mice with a Parkinson-like condition, marula oil, especially as a nanoemulsion, reduced inflammation markers and improved movement. [8] This does not show anything in people.

Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for marula oil on acne, eczema, hair, scars, stretch marks or wounds.

Claims checked

• "Anti-aging": we found no study of marula oil on wrinkles or ageing. Not supported.
• "Non-greasy" or "absorbs fast": the one trial measured moisture and water loss, not feel or speed of absorption. Its authors linked the oil's fatty acids to absorption into skin. [1] The oil did lower water loss, but less than petroleum jelly. [1]
• "Biomimetic, like our skin's own lipids": this is the trial authors' wording, not a tested benefit. [1]
• "Non-comedogenic": we found no source rating marula oil for pore clogging. See comedogenic ratings checked.
• "Rich in antioxidants, so it protects the skin": the sources we read give lab and animal results only. [8]
• "Traditional, so it must be safe": no. See traditional use above.

Forms, grades and why they matter

Marula oil is sold as a cosmetic oil, in lotions and lipsticks, and as a food-grade oil. [1][6] A 2024 test of 24 indigenous southern African seed oils bought online (marula among them) found most fatty-acid ranges fit published values, but some oils in the set differed, and the authors argued for quality rules. [5] In 44 shop-bought marula oils, some samples looked unusual, which the authors said might mean adulteration or contamination. [4] See cosmetic grade vs food grade.

Safety and cautions

• Skin reaction: no irritation in the 20-woman patch test. [1] Individual reactions are still possible with any plant oil; patch test first.
• Nut and related-plant allergy: marula is in the same family as cashew, mango and pistachio. [11] One lab study found some children with suspected cashew allergy were also sensitised to related plants, but it did not test marula. [10] We found no case report on marula oil allergy in the sources we read.
• Eczema or damaged skin: a review suggests oleic-rich oils may add damage in inflamed skin. [2]
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies, pets, medicines, swallowing: not described in the sources we read.
• Adulteration: see forms and grades. [4][5]

Quality and storage

A 2023 paper on marula oil in mice says the oil is particularly stable because of its monounsaturated fats and natural antioxidants. [8] That is a statement in a paper's introduction about an animal study, not a shelf-life test, and we found no storage study. As with any plant oil, general advice is on the storage and rancidity page. If an oil smells sharp, sour or like old paint, do not use it.

Related pages

• Carrier oils explained
• Check before you use natural oils and butters
• Patch testing natural oils and butters
• Macadamia oil
• Baobab oil
• Comedogenic ratings checked