African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil Ingredients + Evidence-Based Efficacy Review

African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Aspalathus Linearis Extract

Review

Does African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil Work?

According to CreamScan's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil has to offer:

✅ Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.

✅ Antioxidant protection

Key Benefits of African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil

These are the key benefits you can expect from using African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil:

🔵🔵🔵 Exceptionally Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, due to the high content of Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (est. ≈47.5%) and Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil (est. ≈35.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🍀 Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil (est. ≈35.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil

CreamScan identified a few things to consider before adding African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil to your skincare routine:

⚠️ Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

⚠️ Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil contains no humectants at all.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Pros & Cons of African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:

🟩 Pros:

✅ Exceptionally rich moisturizer with the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin

✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage

⭕ Cons:

⚠️ May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry

⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy

Summary: African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil

Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil

, as a moisturizer, provides an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin, delivered in a rich, thick texture.

With its high antioxidant content, African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation.

That said, there are some things about African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil worth noting.

With its high occlusivity, African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil is ideal for dry skin but may feel too thick on other skin types. If you have oily, combination, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to try a sample before purchasing.

If you use this product as your only moisturizer in a routine, please note that it doesn’t contain any humectants. Regardless of your skin type, humectants are vital for optimal moisturizing efficacy. Therefore, pairing African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil with a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, can be highly beneficial for your skincare routine.

📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

Est. % The Estimated % is our algorithm-based assumption about an ingredient's concentration in a formula. Learn more The Estimated % is our algorithm-based assumption about an ingredient's concentration in a formula. Learn more	Ingredient	Origin	Functions
47.5	Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols. Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols.	Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials. Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.	Moisturizing (Occlusive) Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Moisturizing (Occlusive) Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
35	Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.	Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials. Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.	Moisturizing (Occlusive) Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Moisturizing (Occlusive) Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Antioxidant Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and prevent accelerated skin aging. Antioxidant Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and prevent accelerated skin aging. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
17.5	Aspalathus Linearis Extract Aspalathus Linearis Extract	Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials. Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.

47.5

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Function:

Origin:

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil

Function:

Origin:

17.5

Aspalathus Linearis Extract

Function:

Origin:

Ratings

None

Benchmark

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

47.5

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil

35.0

Benchmark

Moisturizing rating

5.0

Ingredient		Est. %	Benchmark Sciense based points to which we compare all humectants and all occlusives in a product to calculate its Humectancy and Occlusivity. Sciense based points to which we compare all humectants and all occlusives in a product to calculate its Humectancy and Occlusivity.	Raiting
Humectancy	All humectants	0.0	10	0.0
	None
Occlusivity	All occlusives	82.5	20	10.0
	Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols. Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols.	47.5
	Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.	35.0
Moisturizing rating				5.0

Ingredient	Est. %	Benchmark According to various studies, a formula made up of 10% humectants will significantly increase skin hydration. Some studies also suggest that any further icrease in the consentration of humectants does not translate inty any more hydration and may even be dehydrating. To achieve maximum Humectancy, the product should have humectants with a total score of 10 and more. According to various studies, a formula made up of 10% humectants will significantly increase skin hydration. Some studies also suggest that any further icrease in the consentration of humectants does not translate inty any more hydration and may even be dehydrating. To achieve maximum Humectancy, the product should have humectants with a total score of 10 and more.	Humectancy
None
All humectants	0.0	10	0.0

None

Benchmark

Ingredient	Est. %	Benchmark The most occlusive product possible is 100% petrolatum (hello Vaseline Jelly). According to studies, hovewer, even 10% petrolatum can achieve almost the same mosturizing effect. The occlusive properties of petrolatum are at least twice as superior as other occlusive ingredients. This is why, in order to match the moisturizing efficacy of 10% petrolatum, a product needs to contain at least 20% of other occlusives. Our benchmark for maximum Occlusivity is 20 (and the petrolatum score is always doubled). The most occlusive product possible is 100% petrolatum (hello Vaseline Jelly). According to studies, hovewer, even 10% petrolatum can achieve almost the same mosturizing effect. The occlusive properties of petrolatum are at least twice as superior as other occlusive ingredients. This is why, in order to match the moisturizing efficacy of 10% petrolatum, a product needs to contain at least 20% of other occlusives. Our benchmark for maximum Occlusivity is 20 (and the petrolatum score is always doubled).	Occlusivity
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols. Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols.	47.5
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.	35
All occlusives	82.5	20	10.0

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

47.5

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil

35.0

Benchmark

Ingredient	Ingredient anti-wrinkle power Shows on a scale of 0-10 how effective an ingredient is at reducing wrinkles. Both the Reported Efficacy of the ingredient and the Strength of Evidence are taken into account. Shows on a scale of 0-10 how effective an ingredient is at reducing wrinkles. Both the Reported Efficacy of the ingredient and the Strength of Evidence are taken into account.	when present at, %	in this formula est. %	Rating
None
Total				0

None

Anti-wrinkle rating

Ingredient	Est. %	Benchmark It differs from one antioxidant ingredient to another, but, on average, the research suggests that topically applied antioxidants are effective in consentrations of 3% or above. Any product with a total antioxidant score of 3 or more is considered to be reach in antioxidants. It differs from one antioxidant ingredient to another, but, on average, the research suggests that topically applied antioxidants are effective in consentrations of 3% or above. Any product with a total antioxidant score of 3 or more is considered to be reach in antioxidants.	Rich in Antioxidants
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.	35
All antioxidants	35	3

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil

Benchmark

Ingredient	Est. %	Benchmark The effective concentration of soothing ingredients varies, but we consider a product rich in soothing ingredients if their estimated concentration is equal to or higher than 5%. The effective concentration of soothing ingredients varies, but we consider a product rich in soothing ingredients if their estimated concentration is equal to or higher than 5%.	Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing	0	5	No

None

Benchmark

Ingredients explained

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Est. %	47.5
Function	Moisturizing (Occlusive), Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Moisturizing (Occlusive), Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Origin	Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials. Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.

A famous but not well enough researched emollient fatty oil from the seeds of Marula fruits. It contains fatty acids and a lot of antioxidant and emollient phytosterols.

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Est. %	35
Function	Moisturizing (Occlusive), Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Moisturizing (Occlusive), Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier. Antioxidant, Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and prevent accelerated skin aging. Antioxidant, Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and prevent accelerated skin aging. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients. Emollient Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Origin	Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials. Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.

An emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.

Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Est. %	17.5
Function
Origin	Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials. Botanical Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.