Moringa oil for treating acne?

Affecting approximately 80% of teenagers and 40% of adults, acne is a very common skin condition. This inflammatory disease of the hair follicle and sebaceous gland is primarily due to the obstruction of skin pores as a result of excess sebum or slowed cellular renewal. A hormonal component also plays a role in the pathogenesis of acne, as well as an imbalance in the intestinal and/or skin microbiota. Difficult to live with, acne is also challenging to treat without dermatological supervision.

If you are troubled by your acne, consult a dermatologist without delay. With the right treatment, you could see your skin condition improve within a few weeks.

Whenever possible, in addition to the treatments prescribed by a dermatologist, many people turn to the use of natural ingredients such as the moringa oil. Being low in comedogenicity, this vegetable oil is suitable for individuals with acne-prone skin and possesses several properties beneficial for this skin issue. Indeed, the moringa oil has anti-inflammatory virtues, primarily due to its richness in oleic acid and flavonoids. This botanical extract works via several mechanisms and can notably regulate the NF-κB inflammatory signalling pathway. Moringa oil is also capable of inhibiting the production of interleukin-1β and 6 (IL-1β and IL-6), TNF-α, and macrophage inflammatory proteins β (MIP-β), all of which are pro-inflammatory cytokines. By reducing inflammation in the skin tissues, moringa oil not only helps to reduce acne but also to prevent scarring.

Another intriguing property of moringa oil is its sebostatic effect, that is, its ability to reduce sebum production. This is particularly beneficial for oily skin types in general. This effect is believed to be due to its phenolic compounds which, by inhibiting 5α-reductase, prevent the synthesis of dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), a metabolite that stimulates the activity of the sebaceous glands. The sebum-regulating properties of moringa oil were recently highlighted in a double-blind clinical trial involving 11 individuals. After applying a cream containing 3% moringa oil for 12 weeks, participants saw an average reduction of 25% in their sebum production. If this effect were to be confirmed by further clinical trials, it would be highly beneficial for individuals suffering from acne, as hyperseborrhea is one of the causes of this skin condition.

Finally, it is worth noting that moringa oil possesses a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Several studies conducted in vitro on various microorganisms have shown that this botanical extract has a bactericidal effect on both Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The mechanism of action of moringa oil is as follows: by destabilising bacterial membranes, the vegetable oil leads to the loss of vital intracellular components of the microorganisms. A similar effect can be assumed on Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria involved in the development of acne.

The anti-inflammatory, sebostatic and antibacterial properties of moringa oil make it a potential ally in the fight against acne. However, without clinical trials, it is impossible to confirm this.

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• OTUKI M. & al. Unveiling the anti-inflammatory potential of Moringa oleifera: the topical impact of seed oil on skin inflammation and hyperproliferation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2020).

• JUNIOR D. & al. Moringa oleifera seed oil: A review. Journal of Research in Agriculture and Animal Science (2021).

• PIETZNER A. & et al. Effects of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil on Cultured Human Sebocytes In Vitro and Comparison with Other Oil Types. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).