5 Benefits Of Moringa For Skin + How To Make A DIY Mask At Home For Glowing Skin

Below, you'll find five ways moringa can benefit your complexion, along with a face mask recipe:

Moringa oleifera, also known as "drumstick tree," "miracle tree," "horseradish tree," and "tree of life"; is a plant native to India and is also grown in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Moringa is remarkably high in vitamin C—having about seven times more than oranges2, in fact. This is great news for your skin, which needs the vitamin to naturally produce collagen. "[Vitamin C] helps boost collagen production and cell turnover," shares Nicole Simpson, aesthetician, biochemist, and founder of Amethyst Skincare. This supports the skin's ability to self-repair and maintain its healthy youth, she notes. 

The collagen-related perks of moringa were observed in a small human study, where cream with moringa extract was applied to people's faces. After three months, collagen formation increased3 and skin elasticity improved; the researchers attributed these effects to the plant's natural compounds.

"Every day, our skin is exposed to stressors such as pollution and UV radiation," says Simpson. Our body reacts by making cell-damaging free radicals, "which attack important parts of our skin cells, like the cell membrane and DNA," she adds. The result? Premature wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging.

But thanks to moringa's high level of antioxidants—including vitamin C, A, and B3—the remedy might be just what you need to get that youthful glow. According to Jessie Cheung, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, antioxidants like the ones in moringa neutralize those free radicals that damage our skin cells. Essentially, these compounds "help to 'put out the fires' in our skin that would otherwise lead to skin aging," she says.

However, if your skin is on the drier side, you can still benefit from moringa. It contains vitamin B3, a natural humectant. This means it attracts water to the skin's outermost layer. "Even for those with dry skin, [moringa] oil seeps into the skin tissues to restore moisture," says Holly Cutler, medical esthetician and founder of FACE Skincare Medical Wellness.

Additionally, moringa's antioxidative properties can ease the biological processes behind breakouts and other skin conditions. "When skin is under oxidative stress—from lack of sleep, poor diet, stress, or living in a polluted city—it causes inflammation," says Simpson. This can prompt those hormonal imbalances mentioned above, causing "many different conditions to manifest, such as acne, redness, psoriasis, and eczema," she notes.

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Here's how to make a DIY moringa face mask.

Like many natural beauty remedies, there are countless ways to make a moringa face mask. You can mix the powder with your favorite base ingredients, like mashed avocado or banana. As for moringa oil? Use it by itself or mixed in with other moisturizers, depending on the unique needs of your skin.

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