sweet orange: Cold pressed from the peeled rinds of oranges, sweet orange oil brightens dull complexions, helps control oily skin, promotes the production of collagen and increases blood flow. It is anti-inflammatory and helps to heal and soothe infections. The bright citrusy aroma has a calming effect and helps control anxiety. It is both uplifting and soothing. There is quite a bit of this in my cocoa butter cream.
Caution: Citrus oils used alone can sometimes be photo-toxic, meaning that you might sunburn more easily if exposed to sunlight, though I suntan without sunscreen and haven't notice this to be a factor.
tangerine: Cold-pressed from the peeled rinds of tangerines, tangerine oil has anti-fungal and antiseptic properties which makes it a good treatment for acne and inflamed skin. Cytophylactic properties make it a viable treatment for scar tissue, stretch marks and cellulite. It has a calming effect and can promote healthy sleep. I use it to pump up the citrus aroma in my cocoa butter cream.
Caution: Citrus oils used alone can sometimes be photo-toxic, meaning that you might sunburn more easily if exposed to sunlight.
cedarwood: There are numerous species of cedarwood that are used for essential oils. The most prized is Lebanese cedarwood which some believe was the first essential oil to be extracted. By the Egyptians. It was widely used in many of their rituals, in cosmetics, perfumery and in a antidote to a known poison of the day called "mithridat". Today, Texas cedarwood is cultivated specifically for its' essential oil. I use that. But still, I'm looking forward to some Lebanese cedarwood. I use it in my men's cream Flannel
geranium: It would be hard for me express how much I love this oil. I actually have a bottle of geranium spray (coming soon) that I keep next to my bed that I spray on myself sometimes before I go to sleep. Its a little surprising because the geranium flowers have a more peppery smell, while this essential oil is very floral. Steam distillation extraction. Benefits to the skin include: Acne, bruising, broken capillaries, burns, dermatitis, eczema, oily complexion, mosquito repellant. I also mix this a lot with citrus oils. Found in Repose Night Cream
vanilla: Technically not an essential, vanilla oil is derived from a number of different types of vanilla plants and several different chemical extraction processes. It cannot be extracted using the steam distillation method so solvents are used to create an oleoresin or concrete. Since it is hard to determine which solvents are used by each manufacturer and they can be super yucky and harsh and bad, I make my own vanilla oil. No big secret here - chopped up vanilla beans and almond oil together in the dark for a week or so to become something nearly magical. Vanilla is uplifting and mood balancing and stress reducing. Used in Unity Road All Over cream.
Often considered a cost effective alternative to vanilla vanillin is derived from the white crystals that form on the long brown pod as it dries. Maybe. Maybe not. I'll pass.
Lavender: Legend has it that Mary used an ancient form of lavender oil - nard - to anoint the feet of Jesus. The Egyptians used it as a perfume and the Romans bathed with it. It is a highly fragrant lightly floral scented essential oil that is know to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety and emotional stress. Anti-oxidant and anti-fungal and anti-microbial, it heals wounds and burns and restores skin complexion and reduces acne. I use it in Respose Night Cream in toners, sprays and anywhere else I can think of to use it. I go through buckets of it.
sandalwood: Traditionally, sandalwood essential oil is extracted from the bark of Indian sandalwood trees, but due to the rising popularity of essential oils, sadly, the Indian sandalwood is nearly extinct. I use Australian sandalwood that is more sustainably harvested. This is an oil that promotes mental clarity and boosts memory. It is an excellent anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent and is good for acne, wounds, burns, boils and restores luster and clarity to mature skin. I use it in Flannel
lime: Cold pressed from the outer peeled rind. Lime essential oils treat acne, brittle nails, controls sebum production, reduces oily skin, reduces varicose veins and soothes insect bites. Used in Flannel
ylang ylang: Translated from Chinese, it means "Flower of flowers". This heavily floral essential oil is calming and romantic. It is good for mature skin, soothes irritation and give skin a beautiful, healthy glow. I use it in Repose Night Cream
I also use it in soy wax candles too, to create a warm, homey and soothing environment. It smells gorgeous and is actually the fragrance that give Channel No. 5 its' distinctly floral fragrance!ß
essential oils
At Unity Road, I use therapeutic-grade essential oils exclusively. Some are both therapeutic-grade and certified organic, though, believe it or not, organic essential oils are not all that common. There isn't an organic option for every essential oil, that I use, available from my bulk suppliers. But Therapeutic-grade means that they can be prescribed by naturopaths and can be inhaled or ingested and must be incredibly pure. And, even though they are very expensive, I do not skimp on the oil.
There are two very important components to the application of a skin care product: How it feels going on and what it smells like. Great care has gone in to the selection of just the right kinds of oils and butters of the purest quality and it has taken years to perfect the process of whipping them all together in to a sumptuous cream that glides on. It follows then that the perfect blend of the finest essential oils complete the symphony to create a sensory experience that will - I promise - make your eyes roll back in your head.
But as I have explored the world of essential oils I have come to learn that there are a myriad of health benefits to the use of essential oils. Many of these oils have been in continuous use in other parts of the world since before the time of Christ (think frankincense and myrrh). I am not advocating these for health reasons, because I am not a licensed homeopath or an aromatherapist, but I find it interesting, imperically, that these health benefits are associated with the use of essential oils. I can say for sure, they do effect my mood. I did notice feeling a little peppier after a shower with a grapefruit and peppermint shower gel and I did find that lavender calmed me down long before I learned that they are purported to do those exact things.
So decide for yourself. I can tell you one thing for sure: They smell really good.
Below are the generally accepted skin care "aromatherapeutic" benefits of the oils that I use in my products.
If you are pregnant or nursing always check with a physician before using any essential oils....