moana oil

Reviewed by Marta on November 24, 2014

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The die-hard hippie in me can’t help but like the idea of rubbing pot into my skin. Indeed, the newly legitimized medical marijuana industry in the US, has already come up with a topical form of cannabis. But I got mine from New Zealand in the form of Moana Pure Drop of Youth Oil (NZ $89 or roughly $78 USD).

Cannabis oil is the main ingredient in this organic facial oil. Hemp seed oil, as it is rather more coyly called, contains trace elements of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana. Although only trace elements, at least there’s more to this active than smoke and mirrors. There is clinical research that cannabinoids have anti-aging, antioxidant properties. Published findings confirm that cannabinoids are responsible for lipid production, therefore, helping to regulate conditions such as dry skin or acne.

And I do find Moana Pure Drop of Youth Oil useful wherever my skin is on the drier side. I have not, however, seen much of an anti-aging impact such as any visible reduction in lines or wrinkles. I also find this oil a little oily. It takes a while to absorb and may be more suited to drier skins.

Cannabis is backed up with other useful oils, most of which are New Zealand natives such as antioxidant kiwi and kawakawa, purported to be antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. I had to look most of them up, including kowhai, which has amazing yellow flowers and is used in traditional medicine as a wound healer, and mamaku, a tree fern.

Although I can’t say I got high on my results, I would recommend Moana Pure Drop of Youth Oil to those with dry skin who are looking for an organic facial oil. Younger skins will appreciate its nourishing qualities, while I feel older ones (such as mine) will need the backup of other, more heavy-hitting anti-aging actives.