Essential oils in cosmetics: benefits and applications

Treating anxiety, relieving stress, soothing headaches or addressing respiratory problems… There are so many ailments that disrupt our daily lives. Think you’ve tried everything to calm them? What if we told you that all these complaints can be alleviated with the help of essential oils? There are dozens of them, so it’s important to know which to use and when. In this article you’ll discover the benefits of aromatherapy and how our cosmetics company has integrated this method into its products.

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant constituents, usually in the form of essential oils, to prevent or relieve physical or mental complaints. People have been using essential oils and their benefits since time immemorial – especially before the Middle Ages in countries such as China, Egypt and India. Yet modern aromatherapy as we know it today only emerged in the early 20th century. Today, even a dermocosmetic company can use aromatherapy.

But how are these oils actually obtained? Essential oils, also called plant essences, are extracted via mechanical processes such as dry distillation or steam distillation of aromatic plants (such as lavender, chamomile, thyme…) or specific plant parts (such as flowers, roots, fruits…). These oils contain hundreds of terpene and aroma molecules that are particularly active for everyday health. This step is often carried out in a company that formulates beauty products.

Essential oils come in all kinds and with very diverse properties, depending on the plant used. They can be used orally, through the skin or by diffusion into the air. But they can also be processed as an active ingredient in a cosmetic product by a cosmetics company. Precautions must always be taken when using them.

Be careful when using!

The fact that essential oils come from plants and are therefore natural does not mean they are automatically harmless to your health. Essential oils must be used very precisely and often in very small quantities.

Aromatherapy is a natural form of medicine, but that does not make it a gentle therapy. On the contrary, essential oils are very powerful substances. Therefore cosmetics companies that use them must train their formulation experts well in the correct application of them in products. Some oils are dermocaustic – they can burn the skin. Others are allergenic or photosensitizing (they make the skin more sensitive to UV rays). And some are even neurotoxic (they can cause nausea or epileptic seizures) or hepatotoxic (they burden the liver). It is therefore essential to use them correctly.

Used under the right conditions and in the right dosage, however, essential oils are particularly effective. The dose is usually expressed in drops – from 2 to 3 drops up to about ten, depending on the type of oil. In all applications they must be diluted in a carrier (such as a vegetable oil). Whether in a bath, in a diffuser, orally, through the skin or as an active ingredient in cosmetics: you must know how to use them correctly. A cosmetics company that uses essential oils as active substances must also perform tolerance tests to ensure an optimal dosage.

Some oils and their benefits

There are more than 200 types of essential oils. Here are some examples with their properties:

• Peppermint oil (Mentha Piperita): rich in menthol, an excellent pain reliever. Used for headaches, digestive problems, nasal congestion, etc.
• Tarragon oil (Estragon): contains estragole and has antispasmodic and anti-allergic properties. Relieves muscle contractions, menstrual pain and hay fever.
• Chamomile oil: soothes sensitive skin (allergies, itching, eczema, psoriasis, acne…). Widely used in cosmetic formulation due to its effectiveness in facial care.
• Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris with Thuyanol): acts antiseptic and anti-infectious. Stimulates the immune system and helps with circulation problems (such as heavy legs).
• True lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia): regenerating and wound-healing. Works as a relaxant and anti-inflammatory.
• Lemon verbena oil: powerful antioxidant, protects against skin aging. Stimulates and tones the skin. Widely used in the cosmetics industry.
• Yarrow oil (Achillea Millefolium): strongly styptic, anti-itch and stimulating thanks to monoterpenes.
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When cosmetics companies get involved!

Many essential oils can be used as powerful active ingredients in cosmetics. Whether for skin or hair care, these oils can be effective for complaints such as acne, wrinkles, scars, excessive sweating, dandruff or an oily scalp. Thanks to their targeted action they are particularly popular with brands that specialize in beauty products!

For example, a cosmetics company can use Fragonia to purify oily skin, Rose oil as an anti-aging ingredient, Atlas cedar against dandruff, Ylang-Ylang for shiny hair or Clary sage (Sauge Sclarée) for oily hair. Geranium is also often used for skin problems such as eczema or stretch marks.

More and more companies in cosmetics and perfume development are venturing into aromatherapy to create unique, useful care products. For example, combining essential oils in a shampoo with a scalp massage can provide a relaxing effect. And by using essential oils in skincare, dermocosmetic companies can offer broader effects while tapping into the ‘green’ and ‘clean beauty’ trend. They help replace harmful chemical substances that some other brands still use.

Anybrand Cosmetic (inspired by the haircare brand Hairborist, which applies aromatherapy) is a cosmetic formulation company that develops personalized beauty products with essential oils and their benefits.

Finally: the use of essential oils requires thorough knowledge. So be sure of what you’re doing if you want to use them yourself, or be guided by a professional. But honestly? Our advice: choose care or cosmetic products from a specialized cosmetics company in aromatherapy – and preferably organic as well!