Marula Oil is a plant-derived cosmetic oil obtained from the seeds or kernels of the Marula tree, Sclerocarya birrea, a tree native to southern and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Its commonly used cosmetic INCI name is Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil.
Marula Oil is valued in skincare and haircare formulations for its emollient and conditioning properties and its distinctive fatty-acid profile, which is characterized by a high proportion of oleic acid. Published analytical studies have reported oleic acid as the predominant fatty acid, together with palmitic, linoleic, palmitoleic and stearic acids.
The oil is commonly incorporated into facial oils, moisturizers, body oils, serums, balms, hair conditioners, hair oils and other personal-care formulations where a plant-derived emollient with a smooth sensory profile is desired.
Marula Oil is a fixed vegetable oil produced from the oil-rich seeds or kernels of Sclerocarya birrea. The Marula tree is indigenous to southern and sub-Saharan Africa, and its fruit contains a hard stone enclosing oil-bearing kernels.
For cosmetic applications, the ingredient is generally identified as Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil. Cosmetic ingredient references list the material among vegetal oils and identify functions including hair conditioning and humectant activity, while commercial cosmetic grades are also marketed for emollient and moisturizing applications.
Marula Oil is especially notable for its high oleic-acid content. A clinical characterization study reported approximately 69.0% oleic acid, with palmitic acid at 15.3%, linoleic acid at 9.2%, palmitoleic acid at 4.1% and stearic acid at 1.5% in the investigated oil.
Marula Oil is not a single pure chemical compound. It is a naturally occurring mixture of triglycerides containing different fatty acids, together with minor unsaponifiable and other naturally occurring components.
The exact composition can vary depending on botanical material, geographical origin, seed maturity, extraction method, refining and storage.
Technical identity:
The commonly used CAS number 68956-68-3 is supported by multiple commercial ingredient documents and Southern African fatty-oil references.
Marula Oil functions as a botanical emollient in cosmetic formulations. It can provide lubrication, softness and a smoother skin feel and can be incorporated into both anhydrous and emulsion-based formulations.
Its relatively high oleic-acid content contributes to its characteristic sensory and spreading properties.
Marula Oil is used in skin-conditioning formulations designed to improve the softness and overall feel of the skin.
It can be incorporated into facial oils, moisturizing creams, body lotions, serums, balms and other products intended for dry or moisture-deficient skin.
A published clinical study investigated topical Marula Oil and reported moisturizing and hydrating effects in the tested formulation and study population. The study also reported moderate prevention of transepidermal water loss and occlusive effects.
Marula Oil can be used as a hair-conditioning oil in haircare formulations. Its lipid profile makes it suitable for products intended to improve lubrication, softness and manageability.
Potential applications include hair oils, conditioners, masks, leave-in treatments and hair serums.
Marula Oil can contribute to the oil phase of moisturizing formulations by providing emollient lubrication and helping reduce the dry or rough feel of the skin.
It can be used alone as a cosmetic oil or combined with other vegetable oils, esters, butters and lipid ingredients.
The fatty-acid profile is one of the most important technical characteristics of Marula Oil.
Oleic acid is generally the predominant fatty acid. Published research has reported different values depending on geographical origin and analytical methodology.
One detailed clinical characterization reported:
Other Marula seed-oil research has reported oleic acid at approximately 73% of total fatty acids and linoleic acid at approximately 8%, demonstrating that composition can vary between samples.
Commercial technical information can report somewhat different fatty-acid ranges. For example, one commercial specification lists oleic acid around 72.95–75.73%, palmitic acid around 9.17–12.75%, stearic acid around 6.44–7.85% and linoleic acid around 3.98–8.28%.
These differences demonstrate why fatty-acid percentages should be treated as grade- and source-dependent values rather than one universal Marula Oil specification.
In addition to triglycerides and fatty acids, Marula Oil can contain naturally occurring minor constituents.
Depending on source and processing, these may include:
Research using NMR characterization has identified differences between Marula oils from different geographical regions and reported minor components that can help distinguish authentic oils and assess quality.
The concentration of naturally occurring minor components can change substantially according to extraction and refining conditions.
Marula Oil is suitable for a broad range of personal-care formulations.
Potential skincare applications include:
Its main formulation contribution is emolliency and skin conditioning.
Marula Oil can be incorporated into:
Its lipid content can provide lubrication and contribute to a softer, smoother hair feel.
Marula Oil can also be incorporated into:
Its emollient properties make it suitable for anhydrous products designed to provide a conditioned feel.
Marula Oil can be incorporated into oil cleansers, cleansing balms and massage formulations where a botanical emollient is required.
Commercial cosmetic references list applications including massage oils, skin oils, lip treatments, shampoos, conditioners, balms and serums.
The performance of Marula Oil depends on its botanical source, extraction method, refining level, fatty-acid profile and storage conditions.
Formulators should consider:
Marula Oil is commonly described as having good oxidative stability, although actual stability depends on the composition and processing of the specific grade. Commercial material should therefore be evaluated using its current technical specification and Certificate of Analysis rather than relying only on general descriptions.
Because the oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, suitable packaging and storage conditions are important for maintaining its quality throughout its intended shelf life.
Marula Oil has a fatty-acid profile that can resemble other oleic-rich botanical oils, including olive and macadamia oils.
Research comparing Marula seed oil with olive and macadamia oils found similarities in overall lipid characteristics while also identifying distinctive minor components and compositional markers.
The high oleic-acid content gives Marula Oil a different formulation profile from oils dominated by linoleic or alpha-linolenic acids, such as conventional high-linoleic safflower or sunflower oils.
This makes Marula Oil useful when a formulator wants a botanical oil with a predominantly monounsaturated fatty-acid profile.
Swapnroop provides cosmetic ingredient sourcing support for manufacturers and formulators seeking plant-derived raw materials for skincare, haircare and personal-care formulations.
Marula Oil can be considered by customers looking for:
For commercial applications, customers should evaluate the supplied material using the current product specification, batch-specific Certificate of Analysis and relevant technical documentation.
Marula Oil is a specialty botanical cosmetic ingredient valued for its emollient, skin-conditioning and hair-conditioning applications.
As a Marula Oil manufacturer and supplier in India, Swapnroop can support cosmetic manufacturers, personal-care formulators and ingredient buyers seeking Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil for skincare, haircare, lip-care and other cosmetic formulations.
The exact technical parameters, fatty-acid profile and quality limits should always be confirmed against the current commercial specification and batch Certificate of Analysis.
Marula Oil is a plant-derived fixed oil obtained from the seeds or kernels of Sclerocarya birrea, a tree native to sub-Saharan Africa. Its commonly used cosmetic INCI name is Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil.
The commonly used INCI name is Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil.
The commonly listed CAS number for Marula Oil/Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil is 68956-68-3.
Marula Oil is primarily used as an emollient, skin-conditioning and hair-conditioning ingredient. It can also contribute moisturizing and formulation-support properties.
Yes. Marula Oil can be used in facial oils, creams, lotions, serums, balms, body oils and other skin-conditioning formulations.
Yes. It can be incorporated into hair oils, conditioners, masks, leave-in products, serums and other hair-conditioning formulations.
Oleic acid is generally the predominant fatty acid in Marula Oil. Published studies have reported approximately 69–73% oleic acid in investigated samples, although commercial grades can differ.
Marula Oil can contain palmitic, linoleic, palmitoleic and stearic acids, along with other minor fatty acids. Exact percentages depend on the botanical source and processing method.
Yes. Cosmetic Marula Oil is generally supplied as a liquid oil at normal room temperature. Commercial descriptions commonly characterize it as clear to pale yellow or golden oil.
It is used in skincare, haircare, lip care, nail care, massage oils, facial oils, body oils, creams, lotions, conditioners, masks, serums and balms.
No. Marula Oil used as a cosmetic ingredient is a fixed vegetable oil obtained from the seeds/kernels of Sclerocarya birrea. It should not be confused with an essential oil.
Important quality parameters can include appearance, odour, acid value, peroxide value, fatty-acid profile, moisture, insoluble impurities, oxidative stability and other grade-specific requirements. The current specification and batch COA should be used for final quality acceptance.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |