The best essential oils for the skin
Essential oils are one of the key ingredients in natural and organic cosmetics . They are used for their cosmetic properties and to provide a pleasant aroma to products.
They are as old as the earliest civilizations. Some studies conclude that Hippocrates (the most famous physician of all time) already used essential oils to treat his patients, claiming that a bath and massage with them ensured longevity .
So, although using essential oils for cosmetic purposes is increasingly fashionable due to their natural origin and multiple benefits , they have been used in the fields of cosmetics and health for thousands of years.
Unlike vegetable oils, such as olive, avocado, sesame, etc., essential oils are highly concentrated, complex aromatic substances with a non-oily texture, despite being called essential oils.
These are liquid plant extracts obtained from different parts of the plant: leaves and branches (for example, petit-grain), flowers (lavender), peel, citrus fruits (sweet orange, lemon, mandarin, etc.), resins (myrrh, elemi, incense), spices (clove, cinnamon, cardamom, etc.), woods ( cedar , sandalwood, etc.).
Essential oils for cosmetic use and absolutes can be obtained by several methods , we will tell you the main ones:
- steam distillation
- cold pressing of fruit peels
- extraction with volatile solvents
- supercritical CO₂ extraction
In the past, there were other ways to obtain aromatic substances from plants, such as inflorescences and tinctures , both of which deserve a separate post to explore the fascinating world of natural aromas.
Essential oils are characterized by their potent fragrance. Through the methods we've just seen, we extract the soul of the plant, its essence, with infinite cosmetic and therapeutic properties. Hence, they are also used in aromatherapy for therapeutic purposes.
It is important to know that to preserve them well, they must be stored in an opaque jar and in a cool place, or they will lose their properties.
There are as many types of essential oils as there are plants from which they can be extracted; but in natural cosmetics , orange, frankincense, myrrh, lavender, and elemi essential oils are widely used. Therefore, in this week's post, we'll analyze their properties and uses.
Cosmetic properties of myrrh essential oil
The health-promoting properties of myrrh have been known since ancient times.
Myrrh essential oil is extracted from the resin of the Commiphora myrrha tree . It belongs to the Burseraceae plant family and is native to countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Arabia, and Yemen.
It is one of the most suitable essential oils for meditation and relaxation, as it leads to a state of well-being just by noticing its aroma for a few minutes.
In cosmetics, myrrh essential oil is considered one of the best anti-aging active ingredients . It promotes tissue regeneration, prevents and softens wrinkles , and helps keep skin smooth, delaying the effects of premature aging.
Myrrh essential oil can be found in the creams and serums of the Anti-Age Line .
Cosmetic properties of sweet orange essential oil
Sweet orange essential oil is one of my favorites, and those of you who know our brand have surely noticed that all of our creams and serums contain sweet orange essential oil !
Extracted by cold pressing from the fruit's peel, it is known as the smile oil because its aroma creates a feeling of happiness. Orange essential oil is a great rejuvenator and skin brightener.
Among its cosmetic properties , its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and tonic properties stand out; it eliminates toxins from the body, stimulates collagen formation for firmer, younger-looking skin, also stimulates the lymphatic system, and it smells wonderful!!!
Our Calendula Repairing Body Cream is enriched with orange essential oil and will leave your skin hydrated, soft, and wonderfully silky.
Orange essential oil works very well in most aromatic compositions for natural creams and serums.
Tip: Sweet orange essential oil is not photosensitive , as determined by a study by Robert Tisserand in his book Essential Oil Safety (pages 372-373).
Cosmetic properties of frankincense essential oil
Frankincense essential oil is obtained from the resin of the Boswellia sacra and Boswellia carteri trees . Boswellia trees grow in African and Arab regions, such as Yemen, Oman, and Somalia. It is one of the most widely used oils for meditation due to its distinctive scent. It has an intense, woody, warm, balsamic, and spicy aroma.
It is considered an excellent antiseptic, relieves anxiety, calms, deepens and slows breathing , and also helps protect our immune system. It has a clarifying and sublime effect on the mind.
Due to its cosmetic properties, frankincense essential oil is indicated for use on devitalized and mature skin , combats the first signs of aging , and is really beneficial for preventing wrinkles.
Frankincense essential oil is healing, which is why it is indicated for treating stretch marks or marks on the skin . Little by little, it unifies the tone and softens spots and wrinkles.
You can find frankincense essential oil in the Radiant Skin Serum from the facial line and in the Firming Body Oil , creating synergy with mandarin essential oil, which gives luminosity to the skin , in addition to a completely addictive aroma. If you haven't tried essential oils in body products , you can't miss them. A massage with Ultra Firming oil with essential oils of frankincense, mandarin, sweet orange and Atlas cedar is an experience that you have to live, I can't tell you about it!!!!
Cosmetic properties of Elemi essential oil
Elemi ( Canarium luzonicum ) is a tree native to the Philippine Islands. It can grow up to 30 meters tall and produces a bright yellow resin. It is used in cosmetics for its properties and in perfumery for its citrusy, slightly spicy scent.
The essential oil, widely used in natural cosmetics facial creams and serums, helps regenerate the skin, giving it a healthier and younger appearance, as it increases the production of new cells.
Several products in the Anti-Age Line contain elemi essential oil in their composition, due to its regenerative properties, which give the skin a more uniform, smooth and luminous appearance, and also due to its exotic and intoxicating aroma.
You can find it in the Nutritive Cleansing Balm, in natural cream, Anti-pollution Firming Cream .
Cosmetic properties of lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil is obtained from the flowers themselves, which have a purplish hue and are shaped like spikes.
It's the quintessential essential oil in aromatherapy, as it has a soft, clean scent that invites relaxation. This is why it works so well for relieving headaches and promoting sleep .
It also has antibacterial properties and is used to heal wounds, burns, insect bites, etc.
Among its cosmetic properties, its regenerative effect stands out, making it very suitable for treating acne problems. That's why we find it in natural soaps, or in facial creams and serums.
Our Radiant Look Eye Contour is enriched with lavender essential oil to strengthen natural cell renewal processes and soften expression lines.
TIP : Essential oils used in natural/organic cosmetics can be found in the list of ingredients (INCI) with their Latin name. However, in conventional cosmetic products, the scent of the products is provided by synthetic aromas that appear under the name Parfum.
