4 Types of Essential Oils and Their Benefits for the Skin
Essential oils are plant extracts that carry distinctive aromas and flavors. These oils are obtained through steam distillation or cold pressing from various plant parts such as stems, leaves, fruits, and flowers. They contain volatile aromatic compounds and are widely used in aromatherapy. Essential oils have long been recognized for their diverse biological activities, including their use as natural flavoring agents and therapeutic compounds in traditional medicine.
- The Role of Essential Oils in the Cosmetics Industry
- Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils
- 4 Types and Benefits of Various Essential Oils
The Role of Essential Oils in the Cosmetics Industry
In the cosmetics industry, essential oils are valued for their various benefits, such as relieving pain, fighting microbes, and providing relaxation effects. They also contribute a distinctive fragrance, helping to mask unpleasant odors from other ingredients like fatty acids and oils. Composed of small, fat-soluble molecules, essential oils can easily penetrate the skin and deliver effects.
Studies show that some essential oil compounds, such as 1,8-cineole, enter the bloodstream more rapidly through inhalation than through topical application, indicating limited skin absorption. However, topical effects have been documented, as seen in studies on rosemary oil, which has been found to improve skin hydration and elasticity—especially when formulated in lipid nanoparticles. Other studies have also shown strong antimicrobial effects of several essential oils against a variety of skin pathogens.
Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils
The primary antioxidant components in essential oils include thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, p-cymene, menthol, linalool, citronellal, isomenthone, menthone, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, and α-terpinolene. These compounds help neutralize free radicals that can damage proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and DNA, thus potentially preventing degenerative diseases such as aging, neurological disorders, inflammation, and cancer.
Essential oils act as antioxidants through two mechanisms: phenolic compounds donate hydrogen atoms to lipid radicals, halting the auto-oxidation process and acting as chain-breaking antioxidants. Non-phenolic terpenes, meanwhile, do not directly donate hydrogen but become oxidized alongside lipids, forming reactive radicals that trigger termination reactions.
4 Types and Benefits of Various Essential Oils
There are various types of essential oils with diverse benefits.
1. Immortelle Essential Oil
Immortelle essential oil, extracted from Helichrysum italicum, is known in the cosmetic industry for its honey-like aroma and skin-care properties. It is commonly used to enhance skin circulation, promote cell regeneration, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The main components of H. italicum essential oil (HEO) contribute to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to inhibit collagenase and elastase activity—features that make it effective as an anti-aging agent in cosmetics.
2. Lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil, extracted from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill via steam distillation, comes in two main types: classic lavender and spike lavender. Classic lavender, from L. angustifolia flowers, offers anti-inflammatory, calming, headache-relieving, sedative, and skin-healing effects. Spike lavender, derived from L. latifolia Medik, is effective for pain relief, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory purposes. Due to its strong camphor scent, spike lavender is more commonly used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
3. Chamomile essential oil
Chamomile essential oil is extracted through steam distillation from Matricaria chamomilla L. flowers and is widely used in cosmetic products. It contains sesquiterpenes and small amounts of monoterpenes, such as β-farnesene, farnesol, chamazulene, and α-bisabolol oxides A and B, known for their anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, spasmolytic, and antiseptic properties. It is commonly found in skin creams, body oils, bath products, mouthwashes, toothpastes, cosmetics, and shampoos.
4. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil, extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis L. through steam distillation, is commonly used in aromatherapy, bath salts, and hair care products due to its vasodilating effects that promote hair growth and help reduce dandruff. It has been found to be as effective as 2% minoxidil in treating hair loss but with milder side effects.
Read more:
Getting to Know the Types of Oils in Skincare: Origins, Benefits, and Differences
Although essential oils are derived from herbal plants and are known for their various pharmacological benefits, their use in cosmetics and medicinal products should be tailored to the specific properties and benefits of each oil. It is essential to always consider safe usage concentrations, particularly in topical applications, to avoid irritation or other skin reactions due to the high bioactivity of the compounds in essential oils. Responsible use, supported by proper formulation, ensures the optimal benefits for skin health and beauty.
Every essential oil in a cosmetic product needs to be scientifically proven for its effectiveness and safety. Conduct efficacy testing to ensure the benefits consumers truly experience. Complete this with assay testing at a reputable laboratory to ensure the active ingredient concentration meets standards.
These two tests help maintain formulation stability and prevent the risk of skin irritation. Test results from a reputable laboratory will increase consumer trust and strengthen your product's image. Start with proper testing to build a sustainable quality and reputation.
Author: Delfia
Editor: Sabilla Reza
Reference:
Reddy, Bongunuri Harsha Vardhan et al. 2025. Essential oils in cosmetics: Antioxidant properties and advancements through nanoformulations. Pharmacological Research – Natural Products. Volume 6.
