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Note: This post has been compensated. The personal opinions I share on this post are solely my own.
I’m so excited to introduce you to Martha’s Skincare!
A few months ago, Martha’s, an organic skincare brand based in Madrid, reached out to me to try their extra virgin macadamia oil. Every time I go back to Spain, I’m always on the hunt for local and family-owned skincare brands that catch my eye. It’s not just about the product, but rather the mission and values.
Duncan Watts, founder of Martha’s said: “We are a small private family. Entirely funded from our hard-earned family savings and without any external investors. Martha is the name of our dear late grandmother who I was very close to. The brand is a dedication to her.”
Duncan was originally born and raised in Kenya. Before settling in Madrid, he lived in London for many years.
Why macadamia oil specifically? Duncan said: “This came about from our family passion about organic food and overall healthy lifestyle. We are foodies and mad about genuine organic food. We couldn’t find true organic spices for our cooking from the retail shelves, hence we embarked on growing our own organic spices. Along the line, we realized the excess production, so we began to share with our friends. But when we set about to get truly organic and pure skincare product for ourselves. This was even harder.”
What sets Martha’s apart from other macadamia oils on the market is the fact that they own an organic orchard located northeast of Nairobi, Kenya! The product is made and delivered straight from the farm to the customers. Since Martha’s is a very small artisan producer, their oil is packaged by hand and their production is manually processed. They only produce a VERY small batch of their amazing oil.
“We make our own organic compost manure, as well purchase some cow and goat manure from the neighbors as a way of providing a means of income to them. The farm is also part of and within a deliberately established forest of 4,000 trees. We did this as part of our initiative to help conserve the environment through carbon sequestration. Hence any little purchase of the oil goes partly to conserve this forest.” Duncan.
Martha’s mission is to deliver the highest macadamia oil quality at an accessible price point, while still being sustainable. After all, they began sharing the product among friends and family, but now they’re ready to take their production and distribution to the next level and share it with the world. Although they want to target niche markets like skincare boutiques and spas in the US, their macadamia oil is also available on their website.
Duncan: “Producing the oil from the nuts is not so easy. Of all nuts, this is the most difficult to extract oil from. Macadamia nuts contain the highest amount of oils making it very difficult to extract. Some people take shortcuts by using chemical extraction methods to overcome this hurdle. This leaves traces of chemicals in the end product hence contaminating the oil. We chose to go the hard and very slow manual method that ensures true cleanliness and maximum retention of its natural ingredients for the best benefits.”
Before I used it, I was struggling with a few annoying zits, but after using it consistently a few times a week for the last few months, my skin is more supple and I haven’t had annoying pimples so far! I was using other oils, but now I only use Martha’s as my only oil after exfoliating and using my serums.
Martha’s macadamia oil is organic, clean and 100% vegan. The brand does not contain – SULPHATES, PARABENS, PHTHALATES, OXYBENZONE and NO ADDED SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES.
Although macadamia oil is widely available, not all of them are 100% organic as they claim to be. If you look closely at the list of the ingredients, many times you’ll find ingredients that are not 100% organic. Martha’s mission is to provide a truly clean and green skincare product.
The consistency of Martha’s macadamia oil, unlike some other oils, is not too thick. You will not feel like your pores are clogged. During the summer, I’ve been using it in place of my regular moisturizer, and so far, my skin has been loving it!
Out of all the gazillions of oils on the market, I find macadamia oil to be the most underrated. Why? Let me enlighten you!
Macadamia oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and is an excellent source of Vitamin B. It mimics the natural sebum in your skin, which is why it absorbs so easily without feeling greasy.
It’s great for sensitive skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, which aid skin conditions like rosacea or dryness.
It helps with premature aging and wrinkle formation.
It’s loaded with antioxidants and absorbs very quickly and deeply into your skin.
Macadamia oil is very versatile. Not only can you use it to nourish your hair, but it also acts as a great healing ointment treatment. It’s also meant to be used by men as it works great as an aftershave treatment.
As opposed to other premium products on the market, macadamia oil helps with texture, anti-aging and deeply moisturizes. If you want to create a minimalist skincare routine, macadamia oil is a product that you should definitely add to your arsenal of products!
The origin of the macadamia oil will also determine the pricing. Martha’s is an artisanal producer of this oil. That’s what they specialize in, and I like how they keep it simple with just one product at an accessible price point.
Overall, if you’re looking to add a new oil into your skincare routine, then look no further than Martha’s! I was also impressed by the prompt delivery from the farm in Kenya to my apartment in LA!
Martha’s website and Instagram
