Little known to the general public, moringa is nevertheless a very famous active in cosmetics. Zoom in on this detox ingredient for the body and hair, and a tutorial on how to make an anti-aging revitalizing mask with moringa powder yourself.
What is moringa?
This plant from India is a food crop, that is to say turned towards self-consumption. Originally from the southern Himalayas, moringa is now also found in Africa, particularly Senegal, and much of Asia. The local populations use its wood for heating or to make fences. Its leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins, iron, copper, amino acids and help fight against malnutrition.
Its cake, biodegradable, has long been used to decontaminate water and make it drinkable. This plant is also nicknamed “nebeday” in Wolof, and “never die” in English, that is to say the plant that never dies. No wonder, this tree of life is able to grow on any type of soil, and in any climatic condition, even in times of drought. It grows very quickly and has an incredible capacity for regeneration.
Moringa oil retains water in the skin
In cosmetics, it is the seeds, coming from the pods of the fruits, that are of interest to brands. By pressing them, an oil rich in oleic acid is obtained. However, this acid plays a key role in skin hydration. It forms a non-occlusive film on the epidermis which allows water to be retained in the skin. These seeds also contain so-called “polar” lipids: ceramides and sterols, which are good for the epidermis, because they are part of the intercellular cement. They contribute to the tightness of the skin hydrolipidic film and thus help it to play its protective role.
“These superactives are used in skincare for their ability to eliminate pollution particles and prevent them from sticking to the skin”, explains Marie-Hélène Lair, doctor of pharmacy. They are found in makeup removers, exfoliators or facial cleansers. They help to refine the skin texture and tighten the pores. The seed extract moringa is also present in certain shampoos or conditioners, to promote the elimination of dust and impurities during washing.
We also use moringa in cooking
The moringa is a superfood used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of over 300 ailments. It is able to strengthen the immune system, has healing and antibacterial properties and strengthens the digestive system. You can therefore consume it in the form of herbal tea, food supplement (capsules) or powder to slip into some of your culinary preparations. You can find recipe ideas here.
