What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Marula Oil squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Marula Oil, so we publish the range (3) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Marula Oil near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Marula Oil
It is a plant- or seed-derived oil, valued for the emollient, conditioning feel it gives a formula. A high-oleic luxury oil that appears on pore-clogging lists in the moderate range despite its light marketing.
On a label it can read as Marula Oil, Marula, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Marula Oil in makeup and skincare
In makeup it turns up in cream blushes, tinted balms, and hydrating foundations; in skincare, in face oils and cleansing balms. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Marula Oil is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to Marula Oil
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Hemp Seed Oil — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
- Sunflower Oil — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
Marula Oil comedogenic FAQ
Is Marula Oil comedogenic?
Moderately. Marula Oil is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin. Sources disagree on Marula Oil, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Marula Oil?
Marula Oil has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Marula Oil, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 38 rated oils, 5 rate higher and 21 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Marula Oil pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Marula Oil is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.