Moringa Oil for Soap Making
Moringa oil is less well known in the world of soap making than many of the more so-called common oils and although it is an oil that has been used for centuries in African and Asian countries it is a relatively new discovery in the western world.
So where does the oil come from?
Moringa oil comes from the seeds of the moringa tree (botanical name: moringa oleifera) which is also known as the “tree of life” or the “miracle tree.”
Virtually all parts of the moringa tree, including its seeds, roots, bark, flowers, and leaves, can be used for cosmetic, nutritional, or medicinal purposes.
Cold pressing the seeds from the tree produces a liquid oil which is yellow in colour and has a unique earthy scent.
Moringa oil has many skin and hair benefits so it is a great multitasker that can be used for a multitude of skincare purposes such as cleansing, moisturising and smoothing.
What are the Properties of Moringa Oil?
Moringa oil has both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and it is very effective for reducing inflammation and soothing skin. It is also high in antioxidants which play an important role in repairing the skin and protecting it from environmental damage such as pollution. And because moringa oil is rich in fatty acids it supports the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
Moringa Oil for Cold Process Soap
Moringa oil has a saponification value (SAP value) of 0.139 (NaOH). It is very high in the fatty acid oleic acid. Oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid which is effective for skin conditioning.
In soap making unsaturated fatty acids slow down trace and saponify more slowly than saturated fats and they are softer and produce a mild and more creamy lather.
Read more in my blog about blog Fatty Acids and Soap Making.
I recently had the opportunity to get up close and personal with moringa oil when I taught a private soap making and skincare class with the lovely team from Agro Produce UK which is a rural development business producing fair trade products including, you guessed it, cold pressed organic moringa oil.
Agro Produce UK are unique because they have a close relationship with their suppliers and there are some inspiring blogs on their website such as the amazing story of Charles Mugarura, their Ugandan moringa supplier.
The products that the team created were extra special as they brought along their own freshly pressed organic moringa oil to make the natural soap and skincare.
For the soap making session we used moringa oil to make cold process soap and shampoo bars with 3 recipes that I had formulated beforehand to include varying amounts of moringa oil with a maximum of 15%.
As with all cold process soap the soap bars could not be used straight away as it needs to be cured for 4 weeks but the feedback afterwards from both the soap and shampoo bars has been very positive.
Moringa Oil for Natural Skincare
Moringa oil contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, which can help boost collagen production.
It is suitable for all skin types and because it is a lightweight oil it won’t clog pores.
The team created several different skincare products with moringa oil including body butters, cleansing balms and lip balms.
I was impressed with how creamy and light the oil was for making body butter.
I sampled some of the body butter (bottom right) and my skin felt super moisturised. The body butter absorbed quickly into my skin without leaving a greasy residue and it kept my skin soft for days afterwards too.
The Miracle of Moringa
Moringa oil is a very beneficial oil for making natural soap and skincare and in doing so supporting the farmers that plant the ‘miracle trees’ to secure a healthy and sustainable future.
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