Welcome to Ingredient 101 with Volition Beauty! Where we break down some of your favorite skincare ingredients, give you the facts and figures, and answer commonly asked questions.
Today, let's talk essential oils. First off, what makes an oil essential...?
1. Generally speaking, oils used in skincare formulas fall into 2 categories: carrier oils and essential oils.
2. Firstly, they differ in source and purpose. Carrier oils come from the pressing of the fatty parts of plants such as kernels, nuts & seeds - and their principal function is moisturization. Whereas essential oils are extracted from other parts of plants such as leaves, roots, and bark via distillation. Essential oils are mostly used for their aromatic and therapeutic benefits, with some addressing specific skincare concerns. (BTW - distillation is a process that uses steam, water, CO2, or solvents to extract the essential oil).
3. Secondly, they differ in viscosity and smell. Carrier oils tend to be thicker in texture than essential oils, and in the majority of cases not as aromatic as essential oils either. Top tip - when possible look for cold-pressed carrier oils as they have retained more nutritional value then hot-pressed oils.
4. But lastly, don’t be alarmed by essential oils! There is a lot of misinformation about them. As a general rule, when it comes to skincare, essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin. Skin sensitivity to essential oils’ aroma and concentration is greatly reduced when the oils are diluted in a carrier oil. And of course, we’re all different so everyone reacts differently to each essential oil. Just a few drops of essential oils are needed in any formula. Only a very low concentration of essential oils is needed to enjoy the aroma and therapeutic benefits. But always test the formula first on a small part of your skin to see if there is any reaction. After all, many essential oils have beneficial results for the skin. But as always, when in any doubt, consult your dermatologist first.
These skin-nourishing Volition products all contain essential oils that offer specific skincare benefits to the formula: new Orangesicle Balancing Daily Cleanser, Hibiscus Unspottable Correcting Oil, Detoxifying Silt Gelée Mask, and Eucalyptus Stretch Mark Minimizer.
