Learn About the Amazing Benefits of Moringa Oil for Hair

Moringa oil is a superfood ingredient that works wonders for both your hair and skin. Extracted from the seeds of the drumstick tree, moringa oil boosts the strength of your hair and restores dry, damaged strands. It protects the hair from heat damage, and it’s ideal for color-treated hair. Moringa oil also combats the skin damage, while providing deep hydration. It encourages skin cells to renew themselves, and helps fight signs of aging, reduces blemishes and prevents fine lines. If you’re not yet convinced, keep reading! Because we’re breaking down all the benefits for hair and skin and telling you why you need moringa oil in all your routines.

Moringa oil is an essential oil from the seeds of the moringa oleifera tree. Full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, and with a ton of benefits for your skin, hair and overall health, moringa oil is a superfood.

Moringa oil comes from the seeds of the moringa oleifera tree, commonly known as Drumstick tree and native to Africa, Central and South America, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. 

Moringa oil is nutrient-dense, high in palmitic and linoleic acids and contains vitamin C, as well as vitamins A, B and E. Moringa is rich in zinc and keratin, contains more calcium than milk and three-quarters of the iron in spinach.

Moringa oil is harvested through a process that extracts the rich nutrients in the seeds. Because it has a fairly soft kernel, the oil can be extracted from the Moringa seed by hand using a screw press (also known as a 'spindle' or 'bridge' press). The seed is first crushed, 10% by volume of water is added, followed by gentle heating over a low fire for 10–15 minutes, taking care not to burn the seed.

When it comes to antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients in skin care, it doesn’t get more inclusive than moringa oil. Moringa oil is 40 percent monounsaturated fatty acids, with 70 percent of that being oleic acid. This makes it great for hydrating and supporting the skin barrier. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to fight breakouts for clearer skin, counteracting breakouts. Moringa oil boosts the skin’s collagen production and protects it from environmental damage. It addresses skin concerns like pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and is gentle enough to use on all skin types.

Not only does moringa oil work wonders for skin, if you’re wondering how to repair damaged hair moringa is the hair oil to use. Moringa oil’s benefits for hair include nourishing the lengths of your strands with essential vitamins and minerals while deeply conditioning the scalp and strengthening hair follicles. Regular use of this ingredient (like by using a hair mask with moringa oil) helps to reduce split ends and hydrates chemically treated hair. Moringa oil even helps your hair retain pigment.

Moringa oil is considered a superfood primarily because its leaves are rich in vitamins and nutrients like antioxidants and vitamin C, but also chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid has been shown to slow cells’ absorption of sugar, which is one of the body’s biggest enemies. Moringa leaves have also been proposed as an iron-rich food source to combat iron deficiency. According to Ayurveda, moringa is said to have healing and energetic effects. The plant has significant detoxifying and cleansing effects due to its Ayurvedic properties of being light, dry, sharp, and fluid. 

Unlike other oils used in hair care, moringa oil has the ability to deliver moisture directly to the scalp. This nourishes your strands directly from the source. Because of this, you can apply moringa oil to wet or damp hair and scalp and it will still deliver the same hydration results.

Moringa oil increases blood circulation to the scalp, boosting hair growth. As your circulation increases, so do your hair follicles' absorption of nutrients, for stronger, healthier hair.

The zinc in moringa oil promotes keratin production. Your strands are 80% keratin. More keratin means more strand reinforcement, giving the appearance of thicker hair. If you’re interested in hiding thinning hair, moringa oil can help.

Moringa oil’s antimicrobial and detoxifying properties make it ideal for ridding the scalp of dandruff. Just massaging the oil into your wet scalp and rinsing can lift away dirt, dandruff and product residue for a healthy and clean scalp. 

Moringa oil is packed with amino acids that infuse the hair shafts with nutrients, smoothing frizz and promoting shine. These amino acids nourish weak, brittle strands and help to smooth and repair split ends.

Moringa oil is rich in fatty acids that work to improve hair texture and shine. And the protein make-up of moringa oil provides protection from environmental aggressors like UV rays, humidity and air pollution that can otherwise dry out your hair.

The vitamins C and E in moringa oil can protect your hair color from fading whether you have color-treated-hair or not. The oil creates a protective film on your hair, helping to preserve the vibrancy of your color.

If you’re looking for a way to bring life back to your locks, try the hot moringa oil treatment below.

1. Scoop a small amount of hair oil into a heat-safe bowl or glass container.
2. Place the heat-safe bowl or glass container into a larger bowl with hot water, allowing the smaller one to be partially submerged for a few minutes.
3. Test the oil on your wrist before applying it to your hair, and when it’s warm scoop some out with your hands and rub them together to spread it to the ends of your fingers.
4. Apply the oil to your scalp, massaging in small circles with your fingers all over from your hairline to the back of your neck and down to your ears.
5. Once the oil is distributed in your scalp, use a wide-tooth comb and pull the oil to your ends.
6. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and leave the moringa oil in your hair for 15 to 30 minutes.
7. Shampoo your hair and finish with conditioner.

Any hair type can benefit from moringa oil, but especially those with dry and/or damaged strands. It's also a great hair oil option if you have colored hair, and is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin and scalp.

You can absolutely apply moringa oil to your strands overnight as a deep moisture treatment. Just be sure to cover your hair with a scarf so that you don’t get oil on your pillowcase.

If you have oily hair or a greasy scalp, you should consider avoiding using additional hair oils.

Strengthen your hair, moisturize your scalp, and fight split ends while promoting natural growth by incorporating our hair mask with moringa oil into your hair routine. It works on all hair types for a boost of shine and color enhancement. All Davines formulas are free of harmful toxins, use natural ingredients, and are made with renewable energy and packaging that minimizes the environmental impact. And one percent of every purchase on our website is donated to 1% for the Planet, a charity for the betterment of our planet and communities. Our hair care isn’t just good for your hair, it’s good for the planet.
 

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

Photos by @goldandglowco and Davines