Essential Oils: Myths and Facts

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are simply plant extracts. Concentrated essences that capture plant scents and vital properties. These are obtained by either cold pressing or distillation process from the plant’s matter. The use of essential oils in medicine and beauty dates back as far as 4500 B.C.E.

Benefits of Essential Oils in Skincare

In skincare and cosmetic products, these extracts are used both as a fragrance and also for functional properties such as anti-ageing or antibacterial.

Scents added to the skincare can be either of natural origin - essential oils or fragrances made from synthetic components that imitate natural scents. When choosing a product that’s scented with essential oils, it’s important to know the pros and cons. 

essential oilsEucalyptus essential oil is a powerful healing agent that offers superior anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Safety Concerns & Considerations

If you’re concerned about the impact of essential oils on your skin, that’s understandable but thankfully you’re protected! The EU Cosmetic Regulation has strict limits on what essential oils can be used in products and to what extent/percentage they can be added. All these regulations are in place to protect consumers from the harmful effects of the incorrect use of essential oils. All cosmetics fully natural or partly synthetic before can reach the market that must go via Safety Assessment Protocols conducted by certified laboratories.

Essential OilsMany essential oils are used in holistic aromatherapy, they relieve stress and anxiety and have significant positive effects and powerful health benefits

Allergens - constituents of essential oils

Some people may react allergically to essential oils. Typical allergic reactions to essential oils or products containing essential oils include a burning or stinging sensation, dry or cracked skin, blisters or bumps, hives, eye irritation, and a runny nose among others. The easiest way to ensure safety is to run a patch test before starting to use any cosmetic product for the first time.

To patch-test, a product simply applies a small amount of it to a washed and cleaned patch of skin and leaves it for 24h. If you experience any burning, itching or redness remove and wash away the patch area. If you are allergic to the product it will be easy to tell.

Essential OilsClove oil has powerful antioxidant and calming properties, lemon oil, peppermint oil and tea tree oil have antibacterial and antifungal properties and can fight bacterial infections.

Essential oil benefits

There are many benefits of adding essential oils to skincare and cosmetic products and for most people, if correctly used they can provide a ton of goodness to the skin. Essential oils can help improve mood, help you smell good and/or can have beneficial effects on your skin. 

Fragrance

Who doesn’t love to smell great? Having essential oils added to your products creates a wonderful (if it’s the right combination of oils) scent that leaves you smelling heavenly. Some essential oils are proven to help boost your mood or have other emotional benefits. For example, lavender is supposed to promote a sense of calm (great for those with anxiety), ylang-ylang has been known to help boost self-esteem and confidence, and bergamot helps with evoking positive emotions. If you’re looking to have a certain impact on your mental and emotional well-being, it’s helpful to research which essential oils can boost a certain mood/emotion.

Skin

Depending on what kind of skin you have and what challenges you’re wanting to tackle, certain essential oils may prove to be beneficial. Skincare products that contain essential oils frankincense could help with anti-ageing or wrinkles, while products containing tea tree oil are known to be anti-inflammatory and can help with acne-prone skin.

Personal choice 

Whether or not you seek out or avoid products that contain essential oils is really up to you and a personal choice! There are people who look for products that contain synthetic fragrance oils, while others avoid those at all costs and seek those using essential oils. Some factors to consider before using products with essential oils are if you have sensitive skin or not, if you’ve had previous reactions to certain oils, and if there’s a family history of allergic reactions. With your skin, it’s always important to err on the side of caution. 

Essential OilsAromatherapy oils have been used for centuries in alternative medicine as a complementary therapy due to their health benefits.

Most importantly - read the labels

In order to avoid any potential reactions or irritation, it’s important to thoroughly read the labels, and directions of application provided by the brands and to do a skin test beforehand. Some products aren’t meant to be applied close to your eyes, while others are only supposed to be left on your skin for a few minutes at a time. Make sure to read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Essential oils, also known as organic essential oils, are extracts of concentrated essences derived from plants. The use of these organic compounds has been employed for centuries in medicine and beauty. These days, they are widely used in skincare products due to their therapeutic properties and the fragrances they provide. However, there is a lot of confusion regarding the efficacy and safety of essential oil usage. To clear up any myths about organic essential oils, here is an overview of the facts.

Essential OilsAromatic plant compounds of can have a significant positive effect on your mental health, stress relief and also have been proven to be helpful in reducing pain.

Do Essential Oils Work?

Yes! When it comes to organic essential oils and their medicinal benefits, scientific studies have borne out many positive results on a variety of ailments including acne, scabies, fungal infections, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Essential oils are known to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. They can also be used as aromatherapy to reduce stress and boost mental well-being.

Are organic essential oils safe for use?

Yes! In general, organic essential oils are safe for topical use when diluted with a carrier oil like almond or jojoba oil. However, it is important to keep in mind that some organic essential oils may cause skin irritation due to their powerful concentration. Always do a patch test before using an organic essential oil on sensitive areas of the face or body. Also, refrain from ingesting any organic essential oil without consulting your doctor first as this could lead to severe health implications.

Essential OilsDo not apply essential oils undiluted directly to the skin as they may cause adverse reactions and if in doubt seek professional advice - this is especially recommended to pregnant women.

What are the benefits of organic essential oils?

Organic essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic benefits, including being antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant. Organic essential oils can be used to treat various skin concerns like acne, inflammation and infections. In addition, organic essential oils provide relief from mental health issues like depression and anxiety as they promote relaxation when inhaled. They also help in boosting energy levels and improve sleep quality.

By knowing the facts about organic essential oil usage, you can make informed decisions with confidence regarding the products that best suit your individual needs. Through proper use of organic essential oils, you can reap their numerous benefits for both physical and emotional

How to use essential oils?

Essential oils should never be used on the skin undiluted. Normally very small amounts are added to carrier oils such as sweet almond oil, jojoba or coconut oil.

A few drops of lemon essential oil can be added to sweet almond oil and create an aromatherapy massage oil. Massage therapist would use therapeutic grade best essential oils to help relieve muscle pain and stiffness. Most people see significant improvements of using essential oils applied topically.

Essential OilsEssential oils benefits have been know to ancient civilizations and can address multiple health concerns. These natural ingredients can help regulate blood flow throughout the body as well as stimulate the limbic system - providing relief from muscle pain amongst many other wellness benefits.

Most common essential oils and their benefits

Lavender Oil:

Lavender oil is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used to reduce anxiety, stress and insomnia while promoting skin healing.

Peppermint Oil:

Peppermint essential oil is known for its cooling action on the skin and helping to relieve itchy scalp or irritated skin conditions. It also helps in reducing inflammation as well as headaches and muscle cramps.

Tea Tree Oil:

Tea tree essential oil is renowned for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It can be used to treat acne, athlete’s foot, warts, fungal infections and dandruff. Tea Tree oils don't just offer a refreshing scent - they can also be used to reduce the appearance of zits and acne. A natural remedy for skin woes, this essential oil is quickly becoming an important part of many skincare routines!

Eucalyptus Oil:

Eucalyptus essential oil has a refreshing aroma and provides relief from congestion, colds, and flu symptoms. It also helps to relieve pain due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Lavender Oil:

Lavender essential oil is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used to reduce anxiety, stress, insomnia and help promote skin healing. It also helps to balance the body’s hormones, enhances mood and improves digestion.

Rosemary Oil:

Rosemary essential oil can be used to stimulate blood circulation and relax muscles. It is also known for its antiseptic properties and can help in treating head lice, dandruff and other scalp conditions.

Chamomile Oil:

Chamomile essential oil has a soothing aroma and is renowned for its calming effect on the body. It helps to relieve anxiety and depression while improving sleep quality. Moreover, it also helps to soothe skin irritation such as eczema, psoriasis and sunburns.

Ginger Oil:

Ginger essential oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It helps in reducing joint pain, muscle fatigue, nausea and headaches. In addition, it

Orange Oil:

Orange essential oil is known for its uplifting and calming effects. It helps in reducing stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue while improving mood. Moreover, it also has a high antioxidant content which can help protect the skin from harmful environmental factors like UV radiation and pollution.

Essential OilsOrganic essential oils are powerful extracts that provide a variety of therapeutic benefits when used properly. Knowing which organic essential oils work best for your individual needs can go a long way in helping you achieve optimal results from these nature's gifts.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of organic essential oils to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing. It works by inhaling the organic essential oil molecules or through topical application on the skin. The benefits of aromatherapy include improved mood, better sleep, stress management, improved immunity and enhanced cognitive function.

Using organic essential oils for skincare can be a great way to naturally nourish your skin while enjoying its therapeutic benefits. With proper knowledge about organic essential oils and their usage, you are sure to make the most out of them!

Does Aromatherapy really work?

Aromatherapy is believed to work by stimulating the olfactory system, releasing hormones and improving blood circulation in the body. Studies have shown that organic essential oils can provide relief from anxiety, improve sleep quality and reduce inflammation. Therefore, aromatherapy does indeed work for many people who seek an alternative approach to wellbeing.

Aromatherapy, which is the therapeutic use of organic essential oils, has been used as an alternative form of medicine for thousands of years. With the proper knowledge and usage of organic essential oils, one can benefit from its therapeutic effects both physically and emotionally. Studies have shown that organic essential oils can help in reducing anxiety, improving sleep quality and providing relief from inflammation. Thus, organic essential oils are a great way to naturally nourish your skin while enjoying its therapeutic benefits. Do give organic essential oils a try to experience their true potential!

Organic essential oils are a natural and potent way to promote wellness. However, it is important to always do a patch test before using organic essential oils on sensitive areas of the face or body. In addition, never ingest any organic essential oil without consulting your doctor first as this could lead to severe health implications. By understanding their benefits and proper use guidelines, organic essential oils can become an integral part of your skincare routine.

Other uses of essential oils include household cleaning products that best essential oils replace synthetic fragrances and can support healthy lifestyle.

Essential Oils

Potion Organic

With products from Potion Organic, you never have to worry about any lack of transparency or harmful ingredients. All the allergic components are included within the ingredients list with a double asterisk and comment: (**) naturally occur in essential oils.

We strictly adhere to the EU Cosmetic Regulations protocols and our products never exceed recommended limits as the safety of our customers is our first and foremost priority.

Potion Organic includes a list of all potential allergens on the labels and the product pages along with directions for use. Please read these carefully before using any of our products. We highly recommend running a patch test before using your cosmetics for the first time to ensure your safety.