Moringa Oil, Virgin Organic
INCI: Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Supplier: New Directions Aromatics ·
Evidence: ●○○ Traditional & compositional
In our formulas: The Innovator — 14%
What it is
Moringa oleifera — the drumstick tree, native to the Himalayan foothills and now grown across the tropics. The seed oil is sometimes called ben oil, from the behenic acid it contains. It is unusually high in oleic acid (often above 70%) and unusually stable, with a documented history of use in perfumery precisely because it holds scent and resists rancidity better than almost any pressed oil.
Why it matters for changing skin
At 14% it is our second-largest oil, and it is there for both performance and structure. It brings high-oleic replenishment for lipid-depleted skin. It also acts as a stabilising backbone for the fifteen other materials in the blend — including the fragile ones like rosehip and sea buckthorn, which oxidise readily on their own.
What it does
|
Concern |
How it helps |
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Lipid-deficient dryness |
High oleic content replenishes surface lipids |
|
Rough, dull texture |
Softens and adds light |
|
Formula stability |
Naturally resistant to oxidation; stabilises the blend |
|
Environmental exposure |
Contains natural antioxidant compounds |
|
Fragrance longevity |
Holds the essential oil notes without fighting them |
On the label you may also see it as
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil · Ben Oil · Behen Oil · Drumstick Tree Oil
Written by Joy Kirst
Joy Brown Kirst is the founder and formulator of Modern Age Skin, an award-winning clean beauty brand specializing in perimenopause and menopausal skincare. With an MBA from Rice University and over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, Joy brings strategic business expertise to the beauty industry.
Following her successful career in the executive search industry, Joy earned her Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation from Formula Botanica (2021), combining her business acumen with botanical expertise to create bioadaptive, results-driven formulas for hormonal skin changes.
Modern Age Skin’s hero product, The Innovator - Luminous Repair Oil, has won both the Shape Skin Award for Best Facial Oil (2024) and the Healing Lifestyles Earth Day Beauty Award (2025). The brand is Power Beauty Collab certified and Leaping Bunny Certified, reflecting Joy’s commitment to clean, cruelty-free beauty.
Joy and Modern Age Skin have been featured in Forbes, BeautyMatter, Well Defined, on television with Pix 11 in NYC, and on the Well Done, Thrive After 45, and Midlife Mavericks podcasts. Through her work, Joy is redefining skincare for women navigating hormonal transitions, proving that aging skin deserves sophisticated, science-backed solutions.