Monday Madness: The Benefits of Maracuja (Passion Fruit) Oil!

So with the craze of Argan oil being out on the market and being dubbed as "magic liquid gold" Tarte decided to join that bang wagon and bring out their Maracjua oil which is really and also known as Passion Fruit Oil.   At first when I heard of it, I really didn't bat an eyelash as I was already using Josie Maran and Poppy Austin's Argan Oil.  However being the researcher that I am, I decide to look up the product and really see what its all about.   Hell I mean for $55 to almost $90 a bottle this better shine and work like Argan oil in my opinion!

So what is Tarte's Maracuja oil? Well it is actually nothing more then 100% Passion Fruit Oil.  So the bigger question really is, what is Passion Fruit Oil?  

Passion Fruit (aka Maracujá oil) is an egg-shaped tropical fruit that is small in size and comes in either a yellowish or purplish color.  When cracked open, inside the fruit are as many as 250-300 small, hard pitted seeds.   The oil comes from these seeds when crushed for extraction.  Passion fruit seed oil is high in vitamin A, C and potassium which helps to keep the skin healthy and glowing.  Passion fruit seed oil also works as an antibacterial for acne prone skin and other facial issues.  It also helps to reduce swelling and irritation of the skin when inflamed by acne and can also help to reduce sebum secretion which for many is overly active especially in the T-zone area.  Passion Fruit Oil contains ascorbic acid, β-carotene, calcium, flavanoids, phosphorus, and potassium which is all good and healthy for the skin.  

When buying Passion Fruit Oil for your skincare routine, remember just like Argan Oil, there are a few things you need to consider.

Ingredients

Passion Fruit Oil should only say 100% Organic Passion Fruit (aka Chinola, Passiflora incarnata, Maracujá or Parcha) oil.  It should be cold pressed and unrefined/undiluted.  The color should be yellow and have a light fruity aroma to it.  If it has anything else mixed in to it, then don't buy it.  It is not 100% Passion Fruit Oil and it has been tainted with other chemicals or added fillers that are not needed.   The majority of all Passion Fruit Oil comes from Brazil.  So if you bottle says harvested in Canada..pffts...put it down and walk out.

Packaging

Since Passion Fruit Oil is rich in vitamin A and C; it is considered to be an antioxidant therefore it will breakdown when exposed to air and light.  Its best you buy it in a bottle that's opaque or dark and that comes with a droplet in order to avoid you contaminating the oil with the germs from your hands. When not in use, make sure to store it away in a cool dry place (not your bathroom) to keep it away from light and constant room temperature changes. 

Scent

Passion Fruit Oil should have somewhat of a sorta of fruity scent.  It by far should not be overpowering like a Pina Colada scent, but it should have a very mild well...passion fruit scent.  However if it has no scent, then again put the bottle down.  No scent means its been filtered and/or cooked at some point which would render the product useless anyway.

Price

The million dollar question. Just how much does this 100% organic cold press unfiltered oil cost? You be surprised to find out...not much. A one ounce bottle should start on or about $6.00. However the price tag that Tarte is selling it for is just as outrageous as Josie Maran 1oz Argan Oil. This is an oil that you can find at any health food store or order it online.   As long as the product you are getting says the ingredients listed at above, then you should be fine.  Just because you order it online doesn't make it any better or worse then buying it in a store.  What you want to do is also research the company you are buying it from and make sure the product is legit.  Googling it, is what it really comes down to.   I bought a one ounce bottle for $6.00 from Garden of Wisdom online and I am more then happy with the product.  I recommend you look around before you blow unnecessary money for something that can be bought anywhere else in its purest form for a few dollars!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana