Natural Cosmetics

The Evolution of Color

No animal testing, no harsh chemicals just beautiful color from nourishing ingredients that are
gentle enough for every skin type.
Feel the silky wash of natural color. When cosmetics get their color from natural flowers and
mineral pigments, getting a subtle, natural look without looking "made up" is easy. We feature a
selection of foundations, face powders, and color cosmetics made with natural pigments to flatter
all skin tones and conditions for lasting moisture and rich color. nd you!ll feel good while looking
good because these products are less likely to cause skin reactions.
Glossary of Cosmetic Ingredient Functions
"ody care and cosmetic ingredients can serve many different functions. #his glossary provides a
helpful tool for understanding the common definitions of the various functional categories of
cosmetic ingredients.
ABRASIVES
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to remove materials from the skin and other
parts of the body %e.g., teeth&.
ABSRBENTS
$ubstances, which are added to cosmetic products to take up water' and(or oil'soluble, dissolved
or finely dispersed substances.
A!!ITIVES
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products, often in relatively small amounts, to create or
improve desirable properties or suppress %or minimi)e& undesirable properties.
ANTICRRSIVES
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to avoid corrosion of the packaging.
ANTI!AN!R"FF AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to hair care products to control dandruff. nti'dandruff products are
regulated as over the counter drugs in the *nited $tates.
ANTIFA#ING AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products either to suppress foam during manufacturing
or to reduce the tendency of finished products to generate foam.
ANTI#ICRBIA$S
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to help reduce the activities of microorganisms
on the skin or body. +,amples include methyl and propyl paraben.
ANTI%I!ANTS
$ubstances, which are added to cosmetic products to inhibit reactions, promoted by o,ygen, thus
avoiding o,idation and rancidity.
ANTI&ERS&IRANT AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic formulation to reduce perspiration.
ANTISTATIC AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to reduce static electricity by neutrali)ing
electrical charge on a surface.
BIN!ERS
$ubstances which are added to solid cosmetic mi,tures to provide cohesion.
BI$GICA$ A!!ITIVES
$ubstances derived from biological origin and are added to cosmetic products to achieve specific
formulation features.
B$EAC'ING AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products with the intention of lightening the shade of
hair or skin. %e.g., hydro-uinone&
BTANICA$S
$ubstances, which are derived from plants, mostly by physical means, added to cosmetic
products to achieve specific formulation features.
B"FFERING AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to adjust or stabili)e the p..
C'E$ATING AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to react and to form comple,es with metal ions
which could affect stability and(or appearance of cosmetics.
CS#ETIC C$RANTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to color the cosmetic product and(or to impart
color to the skin and(or its appendages. #ypically the colorant does not impact the function of the
product. /onsumer generally consider color additives to be either "natural" or "artificial." "rtificial"
typically refers to synthetic organic dyes bearing the designations F01/, 01/, and +,t. 01/.
#he "natural" colorants include inorganic mineral pigments %which may or may not be sythesi)ed&,
plant ingredients and other naturally occurring colorants.
!ENAT"RANTS
$ubstances which are mostly added to cosmetic products containing ethyl alcohol, in order to
render them unpalatable and therefore discourage ingestion.
!E!RANT AGENTS
$ubstances added to cosmetic products to reduce or mask unpleasant body odors.
!E&I$ATR( AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to remove unwanted body hair.
E#$$IENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to smooth and soften the skin.
E#"$SIF(ING AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to promote the mi,tures of immiscible li-uids
such as oil and water.
E#"$SIN STABI$I)ERS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to help the process of emulsification and to
improve formulation stability and shelf'life.
FI$# FR#ERS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to produce, upon application, a continuous film
on skin, hair or nails.
'AIR !(ES
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to color hair.
'"#ECTANTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to hold and retain moisture.
&ACIFIERS
$ubstances which are added to transparent or translucent cosmetic products to render them
more impervious to visible light and nearby radiation.
RA$ CARE AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products for the care of the oral cavity.
%I!I)ING AGENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to change the chemical nature of another
substance by adding o,ygen.
&RESERVATIVES
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products for the primary purpose of inhibiting the
development of micro'organisms.
&R&E$$ANTS
2aseous substances added to cosmetic products under pressure in pressure'resistant containers
for e,pelling the contents of the containers when the pressure is released.
RE!"CING AGENTS
$ubstances added to cosmetic products which change the chemical nature of another substance
by adding hydrogen or removing o,ygen.
S$VENTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to dissolve other components.
S"RFACTANTS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products to lower the surface tension as well as to aid
the even distribution of the cosmetic product upon application.
"*V* ABSRBERS
$ubstances which are added to cosmetic products specifically intended to filter certain *3 rays in
order to protect the skin or the products from certain harmful effects of these rays.
34$/5$4#6 /5N#75884N2 2+N#$
Su+stances ,hich are added to cosmetic -roducts to
increase or decrease the viscosity of the finished
-roductScience and Art of Smell
$ince the beginning of civili)ation, humans have used fragrances to enhance their daily lives and
enhance special occasions. *p until the mid'nineteenth century, all fragrances were naturally
derived. "ut in the early 9:;<!s scientists learned how to isolate and identify the chemicals
responsible for aromas. #he first of these were cinnamic aldehyde from cinnamon oil and
ben)aldehyde from bitter almond oil. 4n the 9=><!s, the first completely synthetic perfume, /hanel
No.?, was marketed and from there the synthetic perfume industry skyrocketed.
t present, natural fragrances and essential oils are making a strong comeback in the fragrance
industry. #his is due in part to the emerging science and art of aromatherapy and the rising
incidence rates of chemical sensitivities, allergies, and asthma. /onsumers and scientists now
believe there is a connection between the proliferation of fragrance chemicals of all kinds and
these maladies. #he cosmetics industry has responded with a di))ying array of products
unscented, fragrance'free, made with essential oils or naturally scented to meet the needs of a
variety of consumers. What do we know about the science of smelling and what do terms such as
"fragrance free," "made with essential oils," and "naturally scented" mean@
Olfactory Science
5ur sense of smell and our emotions appear to be ine,tricably linked. #he olfactory bulb that
controls our sense of smell is ju,taposed with the limbic system %a.k.a. "emotion central"& making
our nasal passages one of the most direct connections to our brains. .owever, studying e,actly
how this direct link affects our health has proven challenging. /ompared to our vision and our
hearing, our sense of smell is not well understood. Furthermore, the human perception of smells
is subjective and people suffering from symptoms associated with a fragrance may have great
difficulty in distinguishing between psychological irritation from an unpleasant odor and physical
sensory irritation from volatile chemicals. $ome skeptical researchers believe that people fear
negative conse-uences when the offensive odor may actually be benign. Finding the e,tent to
which fragrance chemicals irritate or otherwise harm us is a difficult task. ccording to "etty
"ridges of the Fragranced Aroducts 4nformation Network, the fragrance industry does not have a
centrali)ed program for collecting data on fragrances. 4n addition, the regulation of fragrances is
split among at least three different government agenciesB F0, /onsumer Aroducts $afety
/ommission and +A.
/urrent research is underway to e,plain the link between our sense of smell and sensory irritation
and allergies. 7esearchers from the *niversity of /alifornia at $an 0iego are trying to establish
the levels at which chemicals first become odorants and then progress to irritants. $o far they
have succeeded in finding threshold levels for several chemical mi,tures. #hey have also found
some evidence to support the notion that chemicals in combination are more irritating at lower
levels than single compounds. #he problem with sorting out the effects of fragrances is that they
can stimulate both the olfactory nerve and the trigeminal nerve. #he trigeminal nerve is
responsible for mediating physiological irritation %causing sensations of stinging, burning, and
tingling&. #hese symptoms are often mistaken for allergic reactions, but are really irritation
reactions. true allergy causes a generali)ed immune response in the body and includes the
production of antibodies. n irritation is typically locali)ed and is not accompanied by a system
response in the body. #his distinction is important because the allergies and irritation reactions
may re-uire different treatments. dditional data from a study following 99> people with Cultiple
/hemical $ensitivities %C/$& found evidence that C/$ involves two distinct phasesB a high level
chemical e,posure that is e,acerbated by later e,posure to everyday chemicals. #his suggests
that for people with C/$, fragrances can be very problematic.
#he following definitions can help clarify the labeling of household and body care products so that
consumers can select the most beneficial, as well as least problematic, products for their
individual needs.
Essential Oils
+ssential oils are highly concentrated volatile organic components of plants that display an odor
or flavor and sometimes can e,hibit some antimicrobial activities. /hemically, essential oils are a
diverse group. $age oil, sweet orange oil and lavender are e,amples. ccording to Frontier
.erbs, the use of essential oils in aromatherapy is effective because the human brain responds to
past memories associated with a scent. 4f no such association e,ists, the brain creates a new
one. #hus, using the appropriate essential oils can evoke memory responses such as rela,ation,
balance, and energy. nd because essential oils are typically less comple, than synthetic
fragrances made up of hundreds of chemicals, there may be less potential for allergic or irritation
reactions.
Natural Fragrance
"Natural" fragrances do not have a standard legal definition. .owever, the industry defines a
natural fragrance as one where the fragrance chemicals are e,tracted from a plant or other
naturally occurring substance rather than being synthesi)ed in a lab. #he term "enfleurage"
describes an old'fashioned natural e,traction method whereby flower petals are laid on thin layer
of purified fats to e,tract the fragrance chemicals. Codern natural fragrance producers are more
likely to employ a method of e,traction involving steam distillation.
Synthetic Fragrance
$ynthetic fragrances are less e,pensive and more readily available than their natural
counterparts. Core than ;<<< uni-ue chemicals are used to manufacture synthetic fragrances.
nd unlike an essential oil that contains one chemical compound, a fragrance can be made up of
hundreds of chemicals.
Fragrance-Free and Unscented
ccording to F0!s 5ffice of /osmetics, these two terms lack legal definitions and therefore enjoy
unrestricted use in the cosmetic industry. /onsumers often consider that both these terms
indicate a product without an added smell or fragrance, but industry professionals have a different
definition. *nscented often means that the product contains masking fragrances to cover
unpleasant odors originating from the other ingredients. "ecause these masking scents are
added at low concentrations, they are not re-uired by law to be listed on the label, but most
manufacturers choose to list them anyway. Fragrance'free, on the other hand, is generally
recogni)ed to be a product without any added scent. .owever, other ingredients in the product
can have an associated smell to which consumers could have positive or negative reactions.
0espite the potential for problems, fragrances also improve our lives. #hey enhance our sense of
taste, help us distinguish one substance from another, trigger fond memories, mask objectionable
odors, and induce states of calm, serenity, happiness or energy. #he public is becoming more
aware of the potential for good and bad effects of certain smells. Core investigation and well'
designed research may soon shed light on this very important connection between our health and
our noses.
S.in Care
7egardless of your age or the season, here are some
steps to keep your skin as healthy as possibleB
.ealthy beautiful skin re-uires water. 2ood
hydration maintains firm, smooth skin. #ry to
drink a minimum of DE'ounces of water each
day.
+liminate tobacco, which is known to age
skin prematurely.
Nourish your skin from the inside by eating a
balanced whole foods diet.
7ecent research suggests processed foods
and refined sugars promote changes that can
lead to blemishes.
9
Cake fresh, colorful fruits
and vegetables a key part of your diet for
beautiful skin.
Foods and nutrients that are e,ceptionally
nourishing for the skin includeB essential fatty
acids from cold water fish and fla, seed oilF
beta carotene and vitamin found in orange
vegetables, egg yolks, and liverF berries, in
particular blueberriesF and green and white
tea.
7educe your stress levels. +,cessive stress
can lead to break outs, according to a recent
study.
>
7ela,ed, calm muscles are also less
likely to wrinkle.
7educe your consumption of alcohol,
replacing it with pure water.
"e consistent with your e,ercise program, as
e,ercise promotes healthy skin.
Wear a sunscreen that contains an $AF of at
least 9? or higher on your face and e,posed
parts of your body and scalp, especially
during the hot summer months.
Body $otions / #oisturi0ers 1 Soft to
the Touch
5ur Whole "ody buyers work hard to present a broad
selection of lush, nourishing products for every skin
type that don!t contain the artificial colors and harsh
preservatives found in many conventional products.
5ur skincare products and lotions are made from
nourishing plant oils, natural botanicals, nutrients,
antio,idants, and pure essential oils and are just as
pleasing and effective as more common brands.
We feature body lotions thatB
$earn #ore
*se moisture'rich natural oils so their active
ingredients easily penetrate and nourish your
skin.
/ontain pure essential oils, which in addition
to smelling good, can soothe, tone, and heal
the skin.
/ontain botanicals and antio,idants to
improve skin -uality over time.
Geep Whole "ody in mind when you want to discover
the right lotion for your skin. 5ur lotions will leave
your body feeling soft and silky. 2o ahead, pamper
yourself.
Natural $uminous S.in from the Best
$ines Availa+le
t Whole "ody, we!ve carefully selected product lines
that contain higher concentrations of botanical and
active ingredients to naturally repair, restore, and
nourish the skin. We carry some of the best natural
product lines in the world. We feature companies that
invest in the highest -uality ingredients and cutting'
edge skin care research all designed to keep you
looking your best.
Are you comforta+le in your s.in2
0o you feel okay about loading your skin with artificial
ingredients@ $kin is happiest with a regimen of
cleansing, moisturi)ing and rejuvenating that features
natural oils, botanical e,tracts and nourishing
nutrients. With cruelty free, natural products you get
what you need to look good and feel comfortable with
your choices.
Cleansing
5ur natural soaps and cleansers are effective against
germs and dirt, sudsing and soothing with the finest
ingredients.
#oisturi0ing
6our skin!s functions are vital for health. $kin
breathes, regulates temperature, retains moisture and
helps rid the body of to,ins. 0on!t you want to avoid
artificial and petroleum'based ingredients that
possibly interfere with these functions@ 4nstead,
choose all'natural moisturi)ers for soft, smooth skin
without compromise.
Re3uvenating
While a simple aromatherapy massage or a good
scrubbing with sea salt does wonders for your body,
uplifting facial care products should contain high
levels of several effective natural ingredients that
rejuvenate daily.
$imple $olutions for
.ealthier $kin
$kin $crubs 1 Aolishes
$unscreens
Everything Natural For
(our S.in
bar soaps
li-uid soaps
cleansing creams
gels and li-uids toners
splashes
sprays
lotions
serums
cremes
moisturi)ers
salves
balms
oils
anti'aging
wrinkle reduction
microdermabrasion kits
acne treatment
cosmetics
mineral cosmetics
cosmetic accessories
scrubs and peels
alpha hydro,y acids
salts and e,foliation
hair removal and
shaving
bubbles
soaks
brushes
sponges
loofahs
for women
for men
for children
for babies
4hat5s on the outside counts6
too*
#he average woman uses twelve
personal care products a day,
e,posing herself to a total of 9D:
chemicalsH. 4n conventional
products, there is a good chance
4hat5s in our s.incare2
Natural Ingredients = Positive Results
witch ha)el, jojoba, rosemary, aloe vera soothes and refreshes
macadamia, /oI9<, red wine, citrus,
beta carotene and vitamins , / and +
antio,idant protection,
nourishes skin
tea tree oil helps control bacteria
evening primrose, olive esters,
phospholipids, vitamin + and olive,
almond, avocado and borage oils
improves moisture
retention
sugar cane, citrus, red grape e,foliates and
enhancescreation of new
cells
essential oils and e,tracts of herbs,
fruits and flowers
natural luscious scent
amino acids, botanical e,tracts reduces facial tension,
improves elasticity
Sim-le Solutions for 'ealthier S.in
Condition $oo. For Active Ingredients Results
5ily $kin and
3isible Aores
stringent ingredients to
penetrate skin -uickly and
accelerate the healing of
skin blemishes.
Witch ha)el, Jojoba
oil, 7osemary
$kin looks refreshed
without adding e,tra
oils
$un'0amage
and $igns of
ging
Natural antio,idants, which
help protect and nourish,
skin cells
3itamin , 3itamin
/, and 3itamin +
.elps protect skin
cells from the drying
effects of the sun
0ry, $tressed
$kin
Natural plant oils
containing nutrients such
as vitamins and +, and
are readily absorbed
5live, lmond,
vocado, "orage
oils
4mprovement in
moisture retention of
the skin
8ack of
7adiance,
*neven #one
+,foliate with natural
source alpha'hydro,y
acids that work to smooth
skin
$ugar /ane
%glycolic&, /itrus
%citric&, 7ed 2rape
%tartaric&
+nhanced creation of
new skin cells and
sloughing off of old
9, > rchives of 0ermatology ><<>
S.in Scru+s / &olishes
$crubs are designed to help e,foliate your skin. Why e,foliate@ 4t removes dull,
dead skin cells from the epidermis %outer layer of the skin&. #his helps to stimulate
blood circulation, remove to,ins, clean pores, and most importantly, reveal softer,
glowing skin. 4t can also be helpful in preventing ingrown hairs.
Cint is a great addition to scrubs because it is so cooling and refreshing. When
applied to the skin, mint can be used to increase blood flow and reduce muscle
tension. s an inhalant, it can be soothing to the nasal passages for allergies.
Salt Versus Sugar
$alt is coarser with more e,foliating power, while sugar is gentle and a better choice
for more sensitive skinK
'o, to "se a Scru+
*sing genlte pressure, rub in a circular motion upward toward the heart. #his will
help stimulate lympahtic flow. 7emember to be e,tra cautious as the oils can make
your shower more slipperyK
4hen To "se A Scru+
#o prep your skin before using a self tanner for a more even color application.
"efore shaving or wa,ing to help revent ingrown hairs.
&e--ermint Salt Scru+
> cups salt
9(> cup cornmeal
9(> cup sweet almond oil
9(> cup jojoba oil
9< drops peppermint essential oil
9< drops orange essential oil
Ci, dry ingredients together and blend well. dd carrier oils and essential oils to the
mi,ture. "lend thoroughly and store in a tightly sealed plastic bag or storage
container. $tore in the refrigerator and use within four to si, weeks. 6ou may safely
e,foliate once or twice weekly.
#o apply, stand in the shower or tub. *sing a handful of the scrub, gently rub skin in
a circular motion. $tart with feet and work toward the heart. 0o not use on face or
delicate areas. "e careful since the oils can make your shower or tub slippery. 4f
shaving your legs, do so after you e,foliate since the oils will help to lubricate your
skin.
&e--ermint Sugar Scru+
> cups brown sugar, packed
9(> cup salt
9(> cup sweet almond oil
9(> cup apricot oil
9< drops peppermint essential oil
9< drops vanilla essential oil
Ci, dry ingredients together and blend well. dd carrier oils and essential oils to the
mi,ture. "lend thoroughly and store in a tightly sealed plastic bag or storage
container. $tore in the refrigerator and use within four to si, weeks. 6ou may safely
e,foliate once or twice weekly.
#o apply, stand in the shower or tub. *sing a handful of the scrub, gently rub skin in
a circular motion. $tart with feet and work toward the heart. 0o not use on face or
delicate areas. "e careful since the oils can make your shower or tub slippery. 4f
shaving your legs, do so after you e,foliate since the oils will help to lubricate your
skin.
Very Vanilla Scru+
99(> cup packed brown sugar
9 cup salt
9(> cup vanilla massage oil
9(E cup sweet almond oil
>EL;D drops vanilla essential oil
S,eet Sandal,ood Scru+
>9(> cup packed brown sugar
9(: cup sweet almond oil
9(> cup sandalwood massage oil
9(: cup vanilla massage oil
Rela7ing Rose Scru+
> cup packed brown sugar
9(> cup salt
;(E cup rose massage oil
Indulgent Body &olish
9 cup sea salt
9 cup brown sugar
9 cup blue cornmeal
9(> cup grapeseed oil %ura /acia&
D drops vanilla essential oil
; drops rose geranium essential oil
9 drop neroli absolute essential oil
4n a glass or stainless steel bowl, mi, the sea salt and brown sugar with a fork,
breaking apart any lumps. %4f you prefer using your hands, we suggest wearing
gloves.& Ci, in blue cornmeal.
4n a glass measuring cup, combine all four oils. %6ou may use more or less of the
essential oils, depending on your scent preference. 6ou may also choose to use
your favorite blend of essential oils.& $lowly add the oil to the dry mi,ture and
combine well. *se more or less oil to achieve desired consistency.
When ready to use, briskly rub onto skin, especially calves, knees, hands and
elbow, using a circulation motion. 7inse off with warm water.
S,eet Body &olish
;(E cup salt
;(E cup brown sugar
9(E cup grapeseed oil
; drops rose geranium essential oil
9< drops vanilla essential oil
9 drop neroli essential oil
4n a glass or stainless steel bowl, mi, the sea salt and brown sugar with a fork,
breaking apart any lumps. %4f you prefer using your hands, we suggest wearing
gloves.&
4n a glass measuring cup, combine all four oils. %6ou may use more or less of the
essential oils, depending on your scent preference. 6ou may also choose to use
your favorite blend of essential oils.& $lowly add the oil to the dry mi,ture and
combine well. *se more or less oil to achieve desired consistency.
When ready to use, briskly rub onto skin, especially calves, knees, hands and
elbow, using a circulation motion. 7inse off with warm water.
.ome
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Aromathera-y
romatherapy is an ancient art using the essential oils of plants in medicine, spicery, and
perfumery. Formed in petals, leaves, roots, resin, barks, stems, seeds, grasses, stalks, and rinds,
the essential oil is generally the part of the plant that we smell. 0epending on the plant, essential
oil can be stored in special resin cells, glandular hairs, pockets and reservoirs, or even the
spaces between cells. For a plant the essential oil is just thatB essential. 4t performs necessary
functions such as attracting certain bugs and birds for fertili)ation, and repelling other bugs that
may cause harm. #he evaporation of these essences from the plant surfaces shields the plant
from the invasion of natural bacteria and is even considered to be the warming aura that
surrounds and protects from temperature fluctuations. 4t is sometimes associated with the
spiritual -uality of life!s energy, so to use the essential oil of a plant is to use the very best of what
a plant has to offer.
'istory
romatherapy has appeared in recipes since the beginning of recorded history and has been
steeped in magic and mystery ever since. #he +gyptians are attributed with the first writings on
aromatherapy in about 9?:< "/ and also, appropriately, with developing a society and culture
deeply connected to the sense of smell. #hey became very creative and adept in using essential
oils to stimulate this sense. #heir most practical recorded use was to embalm their dead with the
oil of cedar wood. 5n a more romantic note, and no less important to their culture, men prepared
for a "date" by bathing with particular essential oils. s traveling opened up isolated cultures, new
uses for the oils became popular and the importance of scent increased. "abylonians and rabs
perfumed the mortar used to build temples and mos-ues to surround themselves with healing
and cleansing aromas. ncient 2reeks believed sweet smells were of divine origin and developed
the aromatic bath to drench themselves in purity. 7omans, following the precepts of .ippocrates,
used the oils in the bath for health purposesB "the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and
scented massage everyday."
s the modern age of the 9=th century progressed, aromatherapy and essential oil use became a
-uaint story of past cultures. Not until a French cosmetic chemist of the early 9=<<!s began
scientific research did it start to revive. 7ene'Caurice 2attefosse devoted his life to researching
the healing properties of essential oils after a providential accident in his perfume laboratory. fter
burning his arm badly he thrust it into the nearest cold li-uid, which happened to be a vat of
lavender oil. #he pain decreased substantially and, rather than becoming a normal burn site of
inflammation and blistering, the injury healed -uickly without a scar. $hortly thereafter 2attefosse
coined the term "aromatherapy".
Essential ils
+ssential oils are found in different parts of the plant in varying concentrations. 5il production
depends on the same things that affect a plants growthB sunlight, nutrients of the soil, air -uality,
altitude, etc. #his means that to get a good -uality essential oil the best plant'specific growing
conditions must be known and followed. +ssential oil manufacturers generally distill their oil right
at the growing site so that the time between harvesting and processing is short. #his preserves
the -uality and the -uantity of the harvest. #he primary method of e,traction is steam distillation
whereby steam is passed through hundreds of pounds of plant material in a stainless steel vat to
diffuse the oil. s the steam condenses in a cooling chamber the oil, which is lighter than water, is
easily separated and collected. /itrus fruits yield their oils through cold pressing. .ere, intense
physical pressure is applied to the rind and the oil is s-uee)ed out. 4t takes an enormous amount
of plant material to produce a small amount of essential oil. For e,ample, >>< pounds of lavender
produces only M pounds of oil and >,<<< pounds of rose petals are needed to produce 9 ounce of
the precious %and very e,pensive& rose oil.
nother aromatherapy product called an "absolute" is often confused with essential oils.
bsolutes are not pure essential oils but are precious fragrances from plants that do not create
enough essential oil to collect. #hese fragrances are made by dehydrating the flower petals to
remove the water and to create a concentrate called a concrete. #his gooey mass is then washed
in an alcohol solvent which takes on the fragrance. #he alcohol is distilled off and the remaining
product is the absolute. #his is a pure plant fragrance and retains certain therapeutic properties
but is not an essential oil.
$ynthetic fragrances are distilled with petroleum and turpentine. #hey are often made in an
attempt to duplicate essential oils but this is rarely possible as there are hundreds of chemical
components in an essential oil and not all have been isolated. $ynthetic fragrances are similar
only in aroma, not in actual chemical make'up or in therapeutic action.
"sing Aromathera-y
+ssential oils are most effective through inhalation or absorption through the skin into the body.
#hey are therapeutically least effective when taken orally. #hey are very efficient in leaving the
body through e,halation and perspiration which means they are generally non'to,ic.
!iffusers and atomi0ers are the usual way of putting an essential oil mist into the air for
breathing. 0iffusers, either the electric or candle variety, heat the essential oil until it evaporates
into a mist or fog, dispersing the aroma into the air. tomi)ers are affi,ed to the top of a bottle of
water mi,ed with an essential oilF give the pump a little s-uee)e to spray the aroma mist
wherever you want. lso available are ceramic rings that fit around light bulbs. #hey have an
indentation to hold a few drops of oil which heats up with the light bulb and diffuses into the air.
$otions and oils8 When essential oils are used on the skin they must first be put into an oil
based carrier first. 4f a sensitivity to an oil occurs it is generally due to full strength application onto
sensitive skin . 0ilution in a carrier oil not only protects you from a reaction, it spreads the oil over
a larger area and so stimulates a greater response. +ssential oils tend to increase circulation at
the surface of the skin, opening up the pores. #his is the key to overall absorption, and
conse-uently to the overall health of the skin. 5f the pure vegetable oils available to use for this
dilution, jojoba is the heaviest, almost a li-uid wa,, and grape seed oil is the lightest. $weet
almond oil is the best all purpose carrier oil, and apricot kernel, also very light, is easily absorbed
by mature or damaged skin. Cassage therapists report wonderful results with grape seed oil
because it is so thin, glides easily, and is completely absorbed. #o use an essential oil on a small,
specific site mi, a drop into each application of a scrub, mask, pack, or cream. 5r, for larger
coverage, add 9< drops per E ounces of an unscented lotion. For the hair, add a few drops of oil
to whatever shampoo you are currently using, or add to a carrier oil and work into the hair as a
deep conditioner.
Baths and massage are the age'old, tested, and reliable way to reduce stress. Aarticular oils
mi,ed directly into the bath water or the massage oil have been reported to increase the stress'
reducing effectiveness of these therapies. /onsult the many books available to learn the oils and
recipes that best suit your circumstances and condition.
Care of Essential ils
little care must be taken in handling your essential oils as they are very volatile. Geep them in
dark, air'tight, glass bottles and do not e,pose them to heat or heavy metals. 6ou can tell if they
are deteriorating when they become darker and more viscous. $tore them out of children!s reach
as some oils are dangerous when swallowed. +ssential oils remain potent for D months to > years
with proper careF if you are unsure of the freshness throw them out.
Breathe !ee-9
+very living thing has its own characteristic scent. We cannot always be conscious of all the
scents that surround us but we do perceive them on a subconscious level because of the direct
connection between our olfactory nerve and the subconscious part of our brain. #his perception
has a certain amount of influence over our feelings, thoughts, and attitudes, which makes for the
sometimes une,pected attraction to certain people, places and things. romatherapy is a way to
recreate those feelings, thoughts, and attitudes naturally it can be used to stimulate and
energi)e, to rela, and make tran-uil. +ssential oils have properties with great potential to protect
and heal the body and may one day be better understood and used commonly for our greater
health. Ceanwhile, breath deep, heighten your sense of smell, and enjoy the therapy of aroma.