What's In My Jar
Mara Beauty Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil
Mara Beauty

Mara Beauty Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil

Efficacy25/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients
Edit

Works for

1 of 3 advertised claims delivered

Moisturizing
Vitis vinifera seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 7 more
Good evidence
What the product description says
“MARA Universal Face Oil is packed with algae, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and essential fatty acids formulated to help nourish tired, dry skin to its bouncy, beautiful potential.”
Source: Credo Beauty

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Vitis vinifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~5.5–8.2%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~6.9–10.4%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~2.5–3.8%
Alaria esculenta extractKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumWorks as a humectant helping to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be effective as an anti-oxidant.~0.5–1.15%
Adansonia digitata seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.5–2.3%
Plankton extractKey activeEffect: MediumCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.45–1.05%
Moringa oleifera seed oil· EmollientEffect: LowA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid~23–34%
Linum usitatissimum seed oilEffect: Low~4–5.9%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.2–0.8%
Evens skin tone
No ingredient credited for this claim
No evidence
What the product description says
“This clean product contains a proprietary algae blend high in omegas 3, 6 and 9 to help improve the appearance of skin tone, texture, and firmness.”
Source: Credo Beauty

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Anti-aging
Alaria esculenta extract, Tocopherol
Weak evidence
What the product description says
“Nutrient-rich superfood plant oils–moringa, baobab, and kalahari melon–soak your complexion with vitamin A, B, C, E & F, and minerals to give you a gorgeous glow, quench thirsty skin and help to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines.”
Source: Credo Beauty

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Alaria esculenta extractEffect: LowWorks as a humectant helping to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be effective as an anti-oxidant.~0.5–1.15%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.2–0.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus aurantium amara peel oil + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~1–1.5%est.
Citrus aurantium amara peel oil—High~0.85–1.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
FarnesolAdded to create a nice product smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~23–34%est.
Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~5.5–8.2%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~2.5–3.8%est.
Adansonia digitata seed oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.5–2.3%est.
Plankton extractCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Plankton extractCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin3/5~0.45–1.05%est.
Edit

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Moringa oleifera seed oil~23–34%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil
Helianthus annuus seed oil~6.9–10.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Vitis vinifera seed oil~5.5–8.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil
Linum usitatissimum seed oil~4–5.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing
More about Linum usitatissimum seed oil
Vaccinium myrtillus seed oil~3.1–4.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Vaccinium myrtillus seed oil
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.5–3.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Citrullus lanatus seed oil~1.9–2.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Citrullus lanatus seed oil
Adansonia digitata seed oil~1.5–2.3%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Adansonia digitata seed oil
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil
Citrus aurantium amara peel oil~0.85–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Citrus aurantium amara peel oil
Alaria esculenta extract~0.5–1.15%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

Works as a humectant helping to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be effective as an anti-oxidant.

More about Alaria esculenta extract
Plankton extract~0.45–1.05%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Plankton extract
Tocopherol~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Limonene~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Farnesol~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Added to create a nice product smell. Can be irritating

More about Farnesol
Geraniol~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Ingredient list view

Moringa oleifera seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Linum usitatissimum seed oil, Vaccinium myrtillus seed oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Citrullus lanatus seed oil, Adansonia digitata seed oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus aurantium amara peel oil, Alaria esculenta extract, Plankton extract, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Farnesol, Geraniol

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Credo Beauty
$40.00
Buy
Bluemercury
$72.00
Buy
Amazon USPrice as of 10/26/2026 16:46 GMT
$72.00
Buy

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributesresearchgate.net
  2. 2
    Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  5. 5
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Mara Beauty Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil
Mara BeautyAlgae + Moringa Universal Face Oil
Buy at Credo Beauty$40.00$72.00as of 10/26 16:46 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Credo Beauty$40.00$72.00as of 10/26 16:46 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.