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7 Proven Benefits of Moringa for Skin Health
Eating moringa or drumstick leaves provides a wide range of health benefits. But do you know the beauty benefits of moringa for skin are also plenty and promising? Read on to know why you should intake moringa leaf powder or add moringa oil to your skincare routine.
To look good, you should eat good. Everyone wants to have happy skin and nothing wrong with it. Rather than using cosmetics to hide the problems, why not try to heal it from out to in by feeding the skin all the goodness?
After all these years, the world has turned into plant products for skin wellness. Apart from turmeric and aloe vera – the popular ingredients recommended for pure skin, now, it is Moringa which has been recommended for skin impurities and skin ailments.
The benefits of moringa for skin are promising and witnessed by most people all around. No doubt Moringa products are one of the highly exported goods from Asian and African countries to other parts of the world.
This green powder of mother nature showed its effectiveness on the skin, hair, general health, and mineral deficiency problems. The leaves are rich in iron and zinc which helps with hair loss and hair growth also. Moringa hair packs and face masks are popular because of their iron and zinc contents.
Related: Benefits of Moringa for Hair
Moringa is considered a miracle tree and superfood as it has all of its parts from leaves, flowers, pods, seeds, and stems that are edible and beneficial to health and beauty. Moringa leaves, flowers, and seeds are ingested or topically used for skin allergies and infections.
Let’s discuss deeper and see the possible benefits of moringa for skin with available science-backed studies here.
What is Moringa?
Drumstick tree is also mentioned as Moringa oleifera is a drought-resistant tree from the family Moringaceae that grows fast. The other common names of moringa are horseradish tree or ben oil tree.
The tree leaves are mostly used as a part of meals in Asia and Africa. Moringa has a long history of use in ancient times by Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. They use this ingredient in their body wash, face wash, soaps, and maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
In the Indian subcontinent, moringa leaves are used in various recipes including fries, pickles, non-vegetarian curries, tamarind-based dishes, soups, tea, and so on.
All of its parts have nutrients and minerals with health benefits. The tree is a treasure of mankind as it is filled with powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, phytonutrients, amino acids, vitamins that could alleviate problems and elevate overall health from hair to toe.
Not only skin and hair ailments, but moringa can also treat many severe health conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, erectile dysfunction, and infertility.
Moringa is a great source of iron and zinc with powerful plant compounds like glucosinolates which have a high amount of sulfur that has anti-cancer properties and is beneficial in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in men.
Read also: Benefits of Moringa for Men
How does moringa benefit skin?
More than any part, the oil extracted from moringa seeds is highly beneficial for the skin including fighting against free radical damage and oxidative stress. The ben oil or moringa oil has plant compounds including cytokines that promote cell growth and prevent tissue damage. Moringa oil is rich in vitamin C that helps with collagen production which is important to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles.
The healing and nourishing properties of moringa treat the skin ailments like sagging skin, acne, blemishes, black patches, dark spots, scars, cuts, bruises, and many others.
The high concentration of behenic acid gives the tree the name “ben oil tree”. This acid in the leaves or seeds is the main reason why it is used in anti-aging products. The combination of behenic acid with fatty acids provides deep nourishment and moisturizes the skin and hair when applied topically.
7 Proven Benefits of Moringa for Skin Health
Moringa has essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and vitamins. Vitamin A in moringa helps to increase the production of collagen which is an important component that builds up the skin, Vitamin C in moringa helps as an antioxidant and prevents damage to cells, and Vitamin E in moringa as anti-inflammatory reduces internal and external skin inflammation.
Learn more about the benefits of moringa for skin below.
Moringa for Aging
Moringa seeds are great for aging. The oil in the seeds treats dull and dry skin. Furthermore, the antioxidants prevent free radical damage that otherwise harms skin tissues and leads to skin wrinkles.
Related: Benefits for Moringa Seeds for Skin
Early signs of aging can be stopped by using moringa. Pollution and harmful sun rays are the main stressors that our skin is exposed to. These stressors stimulate free radical damages and make skin damages like damaging DNA cells and cell membrane. As a result, you get wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines.
We need antioxidants to fight off these negative body reactions. Moringa has a lot of them. It has vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C which are powerful antioxidants that support a young look and natural glow.
According to dermatologists, antioxidants in moringa counteract those free radicals and prevent cell damage. Additionally, anti-inflammatories in the compounds reduce fires in the skin and delay aging.
The moringa leaf powder and seed oil have vitamin C that rejuvenates the skin, cures damaged skin cells and tissues. A plant compound called cytokinins in moringa helps in boosting the cell growth on skin and hair. So, moringa ward off sagging skin.
The antioxidants prevent and alleviate damages from the UV rays of the sun.
Moringa for Acne
Having antibacterial properties, moringa is beneficial in averting acne breakouts. It also further removes blemishes, pimples, dark spots, and blackheads.
As moringa can reach and penetrate sebaceous glands, it could reduce skin breakouts.
Pimples are often created after excessive sebum in the skin locks dead skin cells and blocks pores. The excessive sebum and oil in the skin create a path to bacteria that cause different types of acne. Moringa can help manage sebum and remove excess oil, it prevents acne.
In addition, the antioxidant properties of moringa eliminate biological reasons behind skin conditions and breakouts like oxidative stress. It is a reaction to poor diet, mental stress, environmental pollution, or lack of sleep that leads to inflammation in the skin.
All these factors contribute to hormonal imbalance and cause skin ailments like redness, pimples, psoriasis, acne, eczema, and hair problems like hair loss, gray hair, hair fall, and more.
Moringa leaf paste with water or moringa oil alone on the affected area can provide better relief from pain and inflammation.
You can also ingest moringa powder to purify the blood and remove toxins from the body. It internally cleanses the skin and body and removes trapped toxins in the body to ward off acne and pimples.
Moringa also helps to close the large open skin pores. Its effect on collagen production leads to tightening of the skin thus pores are reduced.
Moringa for Skin Complexion
As already known, moringa helps to remove blemishes, dark spots, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, blackheads, acne, and eyebags with that it gives even skin tone and skin complexion.
Moringa leaf paste on dark spots, pimples, acne, or blemishes reduces them and helps to maintain pure and clean skin.
Moringa Boosts Collagen
Vitamin C is highly active in moringa which is seven times higher than oranges. This is great for skin as it can naturally produce collagen and cellular growth. Collagen is important for the skin as it boosts the skin’s ability to maintain youthfulness and self-repair.
Not only production, but vitamin C also helps with stabilizing collagen levels. The vitamin plays the main role in supporting the main enzymes that secure collagen-linked fibers and prevent enzymes from reducing collagen in aging. Thus it makes the skin firm.
In a study, participants who used a face cream with moringa extract showed increased collagen formation and improved skin elasticity. The study found that active plant compounds in moringa could be behind this effect.
Moringa for Oily and Dry Skin
Having oily or dry skin naturally is not helping with makeup and a fresh look. The antioxidants in moringa give the skin the ability to protect and repair. In this way, it minimized chances of inflammation and stress that otherwise stimulate excess oil production.
The active antioxidants in moringa also balance hormonal changes by neutralizing oxidative stress. The hormone imbalance can affect the skin with excessive inflammation and oil secretion.
For dry skin, moringa has vitamin B, a natural humectant that passes water into the outermost layer of the skin. The moringa oil even for dry skin can penetrate like an arrow into the skin tissues, heals and moisturizes them.
Moringa for Lips
The powder and oil are used as the main ingredient in lip creams and lip balms that soften the lips and make them smooth.
The antiseptic properties of moringa treat bacterial infections, skin cuts, bruises, wounds, rashes, insect bites, abrasions, burn marks, boils, and sunburn.
Moringa for Wound Healing
The oil and paste of moringa can be used as an antidote for pimples to cut in the skin. Wounds are breeding grounds for bacterial infections. If you did not treat it properly, even the small open wounds can create severe infections and complications. Moringa shows potential effects on speeding up wound healing.
Though human studies on wound healing benefits of moringa need to be done as long-term research with more human subjects, the available research showed promising effects.
How to Use Moringa for Skin?
Moringa powder is produced by grinding sun-dried moringa leaves and has a bright green color. Moringa oil is extracted from seeds by cold pressing or other methods.
The benefits of moringa for skin can be achieved by ingesting the powder or applying its paste or oil in the affected area. The possible ways to use moringa for skin are included in the skincare routine, drink, foods, and as a supplement.
Skincare Routine
If you are considering moringa for face care, you can make DIY face masks or face packs using moringa.
Moringa Honey Face Mask
Ingredients
- Moringa powder – 1 tablespoon
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Rosewater – 1 tablespoon
- Lemon juice – 2 teaspoons
Preparation
- Mix all the ingredients to a fine paste.
- Add water to get the right consistency of the face mask.
- Apply the paste on the face and leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Wipe off the water with a dry towel and use moisturizer to soothe the skin.
If you have oily skin you can use hazel water in the place of rose water. You can also avoid lemon juice and add any essential oil to the mixture. This face mask can be applied in the morning.
Moringa Avocado Face Mask
Ingredients
- Moringa powder – 1 tablespoon
- Avocado – 1
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
Preparation
- Take out the pulp from the avocado and mashed it smoothly.
- Now, mix mashed avocado with moringa powder, honey, and lemon juice.
- Apply the paste to the face evenly and rest for 20 minutes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Wipe off the water with a clean towel.
As you are using lemon juice, direct exposure to the sun immediately after using the face mask can cause irritation or burn. So it is best to not go to direct sunlight after using it or else try this face mask in the evening.
Moringa Mask for Blemishes
Ingredients
- Moringa powder – 1 tablespoon
- Banana – Half
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Essential oil – 1 teaspoon
Preparation
- Mash a half banana to a paste.
- Mix mashed banana with moringa powder, honey, and an essential oil like tea tree oil.
- Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Moringa Skin Scrub
Ingredients
- Moringa powder – 1 tablespoon
- Oats – 1 cup
- Regular sugar – 1 cup
- Coconut oil – Half cup
Preparation
- Grind the oats to a powder.
- Mix oats powder with moringa powder, sugar, and coconut oil.
- Use the mixture as a body and face scrub.
- Wash the scrubbed area with cold water.
Using cold water or ice cubes on scrubbed areas or face is important because scrubs open pores in the skin which have to be closed after the treatment.
Moringa Oil for Massage
Moringa oil can be used as cooking oil or essential oil. If you are using it for cooking, you should check if it is cold-pressed oil.
For skin as an essential oil, you should use it with a carrier oil like coconut oil, almond oil, etc.
Moringa oil is light and absorbed easily so it can be used for skin.
Related: Benefits of Moringa Oil for Skin
Ingredients
- Carrier oil – 2 cups
- Moringa oil – 5 to 10 drops
- Beneficial essential oil – 5 to 10 drops
Directions
- Mix all ingredients and apply the oil to the face and body.
- Do a gentle massage.
- Relax for some time and wipe off excess oil with a tissue.
Moringa has antioxidant properties that not only benefit your skin but also extend the shelf life of oil for a long time. Store the oil in air-tight containers and keep it in a dark and cool place at room temperature.
Moringa in Drinks
In smoothies, you can add moringa leaves or powder with your regular kale, spinach, or any greens.
Moringa Kale Smoothie for Preworkout Session
Ingredients
- Moringa powder – 1 to 2 teaspoons
- Kale – 2 to 4 leaves
- Banana – 1
- Dates – 1 to 2
- Almond butter – 1 tablespoon
- Cacao powder – 1 tablespoon
- Coconut water – Half cup
- Ice cubes – One cup
Preparation
- Blend all the ingredients in a blender.
- Pour in a jar and add ice cubes if needed.
- Drink and enjoy.
If you like to have moringa for internal cleansing and soothing the skin from in to out, have a Moringa tea.
You can prepare moringa tea with leaf powder or ready-made tea bags, both are available with us.
Moringa Tea
Ingredients
- Moringa powder – 1 to 2 teaspoons
- Ginger – A slice
- Cinnamon – 1/2 teaspoon
- Honey – 2 teaspoons
- Water – 1 cup
Preparation
- Boil a cup of water with a slice of ginger.
- Turn off the heat and add moringa and cinnamon powder.
- Steep for 5 minutes and drain in a cup.
- Add honey and drink it.
Related: Benefits of Moringa Tea for Skin
If you are replacing the powder with a moringa tea bag then add one tea bag and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the filter and drink adding honey or lemon.
Moringa in Foods
You can make moringa stir fry, moringa soup, or moringa curries.
Moringa Veg Soup
Ingredients
- Moringa leaf powder – 1 tablespoon
- Cumin powder – Half teaspoon
- Pepper powder – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – Required
- Vegetables – Your choice
Preparation
- Boil the vegetables and mash them roughly.
- Take 2 cups of water, boil it with mashed vegetables, spices, and salt for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add moringa powder.
- Let it steep for 5 more minutes.
- Drink it hot.
Moringa Coconut Stir Fry (Indian Style)
Ingredients
- Moringa leaves – 2 cups
- Turmeric powder – Half tablespoon
- Chili powder – 1 tablespoon
- Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
- Coconut – Half cup (shredded)
- Shallot – 3 pieces
- Garlic – 2 cloves
- Salt – As required
- Oil – As required
Preparation
- Wash the fresh moringa leaves thoroughly.
- Boil them in a cup of water until it cooks well.
- Meanwhile, coarsely grind the shredded coconut, garlic cloves, and cumin.
- In a pan add oil and fry chopped shallots for a minute.
- Now add boiled moringa leaves, turmeric powder, chili powder, salt one by one and stir well.
- After the spices are cooked, add coarsely ground coconut mixture and stir well for 2 minutes.
- Serve with rice.
Possible Side Effects
Moringa is no exception that any herbal and English medication should be taken with caution and the right dosage otherwise cause side effects.
You may be allergic to it. Before trying a new treatment for your face or skin with any herb, do a patch test on part of your body and wait for a day to confirm you don’t have an allergy to it and your body accepts that.
Moringa leaves have laxative properties so be strict about your measure of intake, excessive consumption can cause upset stomach and digestion problems.
All parts of moringa from leaves, flowers, pods, or seeds have to be cooked to consume. Any part of the tree consumed in raw form causes indigestion.
Moringa leaves have a pungent taste which can cause nausea if you are less tolerant.
Moringa can create contractions and tighten the uterus so pregnant women should not take this.
Also, for breastfeeding mothers, moringa can affect your lactation and breast milk composition, so avoid taking it orally.
The bottom line
Moringa is a superfood that means it can give you vitamins and minerals that your body needs for proper functioning.
The benefits of moringa for skin are promising. It can effectively be used for blemishes, acne, blackheads, and skin inflammation.
Antioxidants in moringa prevent cell damage and neutralize oxidative stress. Also, the anti-inflammatories of the plant cure internal and external inflammation. The minor inflammations or cuts in the skin can lead to severe skin conditions when untreated.
Don’t take inflammations and skin breakouts or small open wounds easily, using natural and readily available home remedies like moringa for protecting skin from further damage.
Study shows that moringa is effective on facial skin revitalization. The participants used face creams that contain moringa oleifera leaf extract. The results found that moringa face creams enhance skin revitalization abilities and aid in anti-aging.
Let’s enjoy the benefits of moringa for skin, hair, and health just by adding a spoon of powder into a smoothie, soup, or tea.
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