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 first civilizations. Some studies conclude that Hippocrates (the most famous physician of all time) already used essential oils to treat his patients, and claimed that a bath and a 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 field of cosmetics and health for thousands of years.
Unlike vegetable oils, such as olive, avocado, sesame, etc., essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic substances of great complexity with a non-oily texture, despite being called essential oils.
These are plant extracts in liquid form obtained from different parts of the plant: leaves and branches (for example, petitgrain), flowers (lavender), peel, citrus fruits (sweet orange, lemon, tangerine...), resins (myrrh, elemi, frankincense), spices (clove, cinnamon, cardamom...), woods (cedar, sandalwood...), etc.
Cosmetic essential oils and absolutes can be obtained through several methods; we will tell you about the main ones:
- steam distillation
- cold pressing of fruit peels
- extraction with volatile solvents
- supercritical CO₂ extraction
In ancient times, there were other ways to obtain aromatic substances from plants, such as enfleurage and tinctures, both techniques worthy of a separate post to discover the exciting world of natural aromas.
Essential oils are characterized by their powerful fragrance. Through the methods we have just seen, what we extract is the soul of the plant, its essence, with infinite cosmetic and therapeutic properties. This is why 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 bottle 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, sweet orange, frankincense, myrrh, lavender, and elemi essential oils are widely used. Therefore, in this week's post, we are going to analyze their properties and uses.
Cosmetic properties of myrrh essential oil
The health benefits of myrrh have been known since ancient times.
Myrrh essential oil is extracted from the resin of the Commiphora myrrha tree. From the Burseraceae family of plants, originally from countries like 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 the skin firm, delaying the effects of premature aging.
You can find myrrh essential oil in the creams and serums of our 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 our creams and serums contain sweet orange essential oil!
It is extracted by cold pressing the fruit peel and is known as the "oil of the smile" because its aroma creates a feeling of happiness; orange essential oil is a great skin rejuvenator and illuminator.
Among its cosmetic properties are its antioxidant power, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and tonic effects; it eliminates toxins from the body, stimulates collagen formation for younger, firmer-looking skin, and 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 with a wonderful silky touch.
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 (pp. 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 Arabian regions, such as Yemen, Oman, and Somalia. It is one of the most used oils for meditation due to its very peculiar smell. It has an intense, woody, warm, balsamic, spicy scent...
It is considered an excellent antiseptic, relieves anxiety, calms, deepens, and slows down breathing, while also favoring the protection of our immune system. It has a clarifying and sublime effect on the mind.
Because of its cosmetic properties, frankincense essential oil is indicated for use on devitalized and mature skin; it fights the first signs of aging and is truly beneficial for the prevention of wrinkles.
Frankincense essential oil is healing, which is why it is indicated for treating stretch marks or skin blemishes; little by little, it unifies the tone and softens spots and wrinkles.
You can find frankincense essential oil in the Radiant Skin Serum from our facial line and in the Ultra Firming Body Oil, creating synergy with mandarin essential oil, which brings 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 the Ultra Firming oil with frankincense, mandarin, sweet orange, and atlas cedar essential oils is an experience you have to live, I can't even describe it to you!!!!
Cosmetic properties of elemi essential oil
The Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) is a tree native to the Philippine Islands, can reach up to 30 meters in height, and produces a bright yellow resin. It is used in cosmetics for its properties and in perfumery for its citrusy, slightly spicy smell.
The essential oil, widely used in facial creams and serums in natural cosmetics, helps to 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 gives the skin a more uniform, smooth, and luminous appearance, and also for its exotic and intoxicating aroma.
You can find it in the Nutritive Cleansing Balm and the Anti-pollution firming cream.
Cosmetic properties of lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil is obtained from the flowers themselves—those that have a purplish tone and spike shape.
It is the essential oil par excellence in aromatherapy, as it has a soft and clean smell that invites relaxation. Hence, it works very well to relieve headaches and help with 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, so it is very suitable for treating acne problems, which is why you will find it in natural soaps or in facial creams and serums.
Our Radiant Look Eye Contour is enriched with lavender essential oil to reinforce natural cell renewal processes and thus smooth out expression lines.
TIP: Essential oils used in natural/organic cosmetics will be found in the list of ingredients (INCI) with their Latin names; however, in conventional cosmetic products, the scent is provided by synthetic fragrances that will appear under the designation of "Parfum."
