Pop star Madonna swears by it, Nicole Kidman loves it – and even the powerful (and supposedly beautiful) Cleopatra didn't start a day without it. We're talking about aromatherapy. Specifically for facial skin. A quick glance at social media reveals countless posts with this hashtag. It's a trending topic, then. Reason enough for us – the 48grams editorial team – to delve into aromatherapy, its origins, and its opportunities and risks. This post, therefore – pun alert – gets under your skin.
Aromatherapy is part of herbal medicine.
To begin, a definition is helpful. Aromatherapy refers to the use of pure essential oils to influence and relax body and mind. It is used both to alleviate illnesses and for wellness effects; it belongs to the field of phytotherapy (herbal medicine) and is even part of conventional medical therapy in many countries (not in Germany). Importantly, countless clinical studies have already demonstrated the positive effects of aromatherapy. This applies not only, but especially, to facial skincare.
Natural ingredients with proven effects
One of the greatest advantages of essential oils is their completely natural origin. The substances are extracted from plants and are therefore free of chemicals. It doesn't get any better than that. To give a few examples and effects: Lavender oil soothes the skin and relieves minor inflammations; tea tree oil has strong antibacterial properties and helps in the treatment of u.a. Acne; rose oil is considered an outstanding moisturizer and promotes skin regeneration.
Effective against free radicals
Many essential oils are also rich in antioxidant compounds. In other words, they are similarly effective to vitamin C in fighting free radicals, molecules that cause premature skin aging and tissue damage. Here are a few examples and their effects: Frankincense oil is a powerful antioxidant and firms the skin; carrot oil, on the other hand, is rich in beta-carotene and protects the skin from environmental damage; rosemary oil also combats free radicals and promotes cell renewal.
Moisturizing and soothing the skin
For those who want to delve even deeper into the subject, essential oils are excellent moisturizers. They help soothe dry skin, retain moisture, and improve the overall condition of the skin. This is especially important for people with sensitive skin. Here are three examples: Jojoba oil mimics the skin's natural oils and regulates the vital moisture balance; chamomile oil soothes irritated skin and reduces facial redness; rose oil, in turn, has regenerative properties and promotes a radiant complexion—what we so often call a "glow."
Relaxation and mood improvement
Essential oils don't just work on or in the skin; they also demonstrably have a positive influence on our well-being. These natural fragrances reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and—last but not least—lift our mood. These psychological benefits naturally impact skin health. Those who are constantly under pressure will soon see the effects on their faces, such as acne breakouts or signs of premature aging. Here are a few examples: lemon oil lifts the mood; peppermint oil reduces stress; ylang-ylang oil induces deep relaxation.
Skin sensitivity and allergies
As valuable and effective as essential oils are, despite their natural composition, they can trigger skin irritations or allergies. This is especially true for people with sensitive skin. Therefore, the 48grams editorial team recommends: It's important to perform a patch test before use. This is the only way to ensure that no unpleasant reactions occur in the facial tissue. Furthermore, it's important to note that some essential oils (z.B. Oils (such as citrus oils) can make the skin more sensitive to light. As a result, sunburn occurs more easily and quickly.
Cons: Dilution and caution
Essential oils are highly concentrated! Before use, they usually need to be diluted with carrier oils. Each product has its own specific instructions for this. Therefore, please pay attention. Another no-go is using the oils near the eyes or mucous membranes. Unfortunately, this often leads to severe irritation.
The history of aromatherapy
Finally, the promised historical digression. As mentioned, the Egyptian ruler Cleopatra was a great fan of aromatherapy (which, of course, wasn't called that back then). The systematic extraction of essences – for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes – only developed much later. Around 1920, the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé rediscovered the effects of essential oils – more or less by chance: During an experiment, he burned his right arm. Without thinking, he dipped the wound into the nearest liquid. It was lavender oil. His pain quickly subsided, the burn healed rapidly, and no scars remained. Gattefossé's surprise sparked scientific interest. The chemist began his study of the healing properties of essential oils. René-Maurice Gattefossé summarized his findings in the book "Aromatherapy" (published in 1939) – thus becoming the father of aromatherapy.
