Biophile’s Marula Serum says “100% natural” on the front. The ingredient list on the back tells a different story — one that involves a sneaky loophole called “processing aids.”
Those aren’t listed as ingredients. They don’t have to be. But they’re absolutely in your serum — and one of them is a synthetic solvent that literally strips the natural marula oil. So the label is *technically* true. And practically misleading.
It’s $68 for 30ml. I tried it because the “cold-pressed, unrefined” marula claim sounded like actual luxury, not marketing fluff.
The Loophole
“Processing aids” are exempt from labeling laws — so the solvent used to extract the oil isn’t listed.
The Base
Water is the first ingredient. Marula oil is third. You’re paying for diluted oil.
The Scent
It smells faintly of soap, not nuts. That’s the giveaway something’s been processed hard.
Photo: Look Studio / Unsplash
It’s not a bad formula — it’s just not the pure marula elixir they’re selling. The hero oil is real, but it’s been hexane-extracted, then re-blended with cheap fillers to stretch it.
- Marula Oil: still nourishing, but stripped of some natural antioxidants
- Propanediol: synthetic solvent that survives processing
- Glycerin: fine humectant, but not ‘luxury’
- Phenoxyethanol: lab-made preservative, definitely not ‘natural’
Photo: Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash
It’s watery-slick on application — absorbs in 20 seconds, which is fast. But 10 minutes later there’s a faint tacky film. That’s the glycerin sitting on top, not sinking in.
Week two: my skin looked fine. Never plump, never dewy — just *fine*. For $68, I want a reaction.
Photo: ajie wp / Unsplash
My dryness stayed the same. No breakouts, but no glow. It’s a moisturizing placeholder, not a treatment.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
It’s not a bad serum — it’s a dishonest one. The “100% natural” claim is technically true and completely misleading. Smart label, average product.