Currently, girls have become more attentive to the choice of cosmetics. More and more women are choosing not the standard products of the mass market, but more expensive natural remedies. Unfortunately, not every woman can afford to spend significant amounts on natural cosmetics. But even with a lack of money, it is not necessary to use shampoos, creams, lotions and other products that are oversaturated with harmful chemicals. You can turn to folk recipes and create your own face, body and hair care products.
Most home remedies use oils. Every woman knows that they have beneficial effects on the skin and hair, nourish and moisturize them. And in any pharmacy or specialty store you can see a shelf full of small bottles of chamomile, lavender, pomegranate or almond oil. There are more exotic products on sale, such as cocoa butter, macadamia, coconut, ylang ylang and many others.
And on each label it says that it is either essential oil or cosmetic. Some women are well versed in this matter and know exactly what they need to buy for a particular recipe. But most are at a loss.
What is the difference between cosmetic oil and essential oil? And is there really a difference between these two products? Let's figure it out.
Cosmetic oil
Cosmetic oils are fat-like substances of plant origin. They can also be called basic, basic, basic, bearing and transport. Less common are notes that these are carrier oils. As a rule, they are extracted by cold pressing (pressing) from various parts of plants, usually seeds, fruits and nuts. They are mostly composed of monogyros and polyunsaturated fats.
Natural base oils are herbal products. But mineral oil is also considered to be the main one. This substance is obtained from oil, and it is also widely used in cosmetology.
In addition, there are fully or partially synthetic products that are less beneficial to the body.
Application
In order to understand how cosmetic oil differs from essential oil, you need to find out where these substances are used. Base oils of plant origin usually have a liquid structure. An exception is the squeezing of some exotic plants that remain solid at room temperature (coconut). And before use they need to be melted.
But in most cases, cosmetic oil in its state of aggregation resembles sebum, that is, a thin lipid film that prevents the dermis from drying out. Basic squeezes easily mix with sebum and gain access to the surface of the skin, so they can penetrate into the deepest layers and moisturize and nourish it from the inside.
Thanks to the cold-pressed process, all useful substances, vitamins and minerals remain in the oils.
Cosmetic oils have many beneficial properties, namely:
- moisturizing;
- anti-aging;
- emollients;
- nutritious;
- restoring the firmness and elasticity of the skin and hair.
These substances can be used on all skin types. The only limitation is the individual intolerance of the product.
However, cosmetologists warn that such products should be used correctly, strictly according to the prescription. They can not replace the cream, and with their excess, pores can become clogged and a rash appears.
Essential oil
What is the difference between cosmetic and essential oils? After all, in fact, these are absolutely two different products that differ in appearance, composition and properties. Essential oil is a water-oily solution with volatile essential substances. It is also obtained from certain parts of the plant. For example, mint and eucalyptus are obtained from leaves, pink and jasmine from flowers, cloves from buds, anise from seeds, orange from fresh zest, cedar and camphor from wood, iris from roots. That is, the most fragrant parts of plants are used as raw materials. Such substances are poorly soluble in water, have a strong aroma and do not stain clothes with oil stains.
Use of essential oils
The main difference between essential and cosmetic oils is the way they are used. Basic can be used as a single product in its pure form. They are safe for the human body. Essential oils cannot be simply applied to the skin. This may cause a burn, rash, or redness. They are used only in combination with base oils. For example, in recipes you can see the proportions 10: 1, 10: 2. This means that for every 10 drops of base oil you need to add 1-2 drops of essential. In undiluted form, only lavender oil and tea tree are allowed. But even when using them, you need to carry out an allergotest.
Essential oils have the following properties:
- Antiseptic. Tea tree oil, chamomile, bergamot kills harmful microorganisms.
- Toning, warming. Such properties of cinnamon and sage oil.
- Relaxing. Almost all essential oils have this property, but it is especially pronounced in lavender, mint, pink.
- Regenerating. Oil of pine, geranium, chamomile contribute to the speedy renewal of cells.
- Juniper and myrrh oils are powerful antioxidants.
Cosmetic and essential oils: what's the difference?
We already know that these are two different products. Their scope is similar, but the uses vary. So what is the difference between cosmetic oil and essential oil? Here are the main distinguishing features:
- Application. Any base oil can be applied to the skin in its purest form. It does not need to be mixed with other substances or cream. Essential oils need to be mixed with something, otherwise you can get a burn. In their pure form, I use them only in aromatherapy.
- The aroma. Cosmetic oils without additives have a faint odor - light notes of a natural aroma or the smell of a nut. If the base oil smells strong, and with bitterness, then this may indicate that it is rancid. Essential oil has a persistent pronounced aroma.
- State of aggregation. The difference between essential and cosmetic oils is that only the last substance is similar in appearance to oil. That is, it is either liquid vegetable fat, or solid white bars (cocoa butter, palm butter, shea butter, coconut butter and some others). Essential oil, in fact, is not oil. It is an oily volatile substance that evaporates very quickly in air.
- Ingestion. Ethers are not specially ingested. Although they can still penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and act from the inside. In addition, a person receives some of the essential substances with food. However, it is impossible to buy and consume the essential oils that can be found in the pharmacy. Some base oils are actively used in cooking, for example, olive, sesame or palm so condemned by all.
These are the main signs that explain how cosmetic oil differs from essential oil. It remains to give a concrete example.
Example
In our country you can meet such a wonderful plant as chamomile. And in pharmacies chamomile oil is sold, both cosmetic and essential. The first substance is obtained by oil extraction from dried flowers. It turns yellow viscous oil with a faint apple smell.
Chamomile essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. The result - a viscous liquid of intense blue color with a strong herbal aroma.
In cosmetology, both options are used. But if the basic one can be used in its pure form, then the etheric must be mixed with something. The most logical option is to combine them together and get a mixture of cosmetic and essential chamomile oil.
Mixes
The properties of cosmetic and essential oils are preserved when mixing both products. These substances complement each other and enhance the effect of exposure. The only thing is that both substances should have a natural origin. For example, base oils are most often natural. Squeezes of exotic plants can be faked, but they are replaced, as a rule, with the same vegetable oils, only cheaper ones.
Essential oils are often faked. Natural ether is an expensive, complex product. It is easier to replace it with a cheap synthetic analogue, which does not bring any benefit to the body.
Tea tree oil
The difference between essential and cosmetic oils is a lower concentration of volatile essential substances. In the first substance, there are fewer, and it can be used without dilution. In the second, more. However, tea oil is one of the few essential oils that can be applied to the skin in its pure form. It's all about its unique bacterial properties that help get rid of acne on the face, dandruff, seborrhea, fungus on the skin and nails. This substance can even whiten teeth. However, before using cosmetic and essential oil of tea tree, it is still worthwhile to conduct an allergotest.
Oils for oily skin
If the face has a lot of large pores and sebum, then in home recipes it is worth using:
- Grape seed oil. It will help reduce the production of sebum and reduce inflammation.
- Hypericum oil. Tightens pores and reduces skin irritation. Can be used for acne. It is not recommended for use in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, heart, kidneys.
- Caraway seed oil. Protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation, kills fungi on the skin.
For dry
Cosmetic essential oils for the face, with skin prone to dryness:
- Argan oil or Moroccan gold. The most expensive product in this series. Penetrates deep into the skin and has a regenerative effect. It can be used for rashes, small scars and early wrinkles.
- Jojoba oil. Reduces inflammation, has a regenerating effect, restores the elasticity of the skin. It can be used to get rid of a variety of problems. The substance promotes the rapid growth of eyelashes, helps get rid of dandruff. Best used as a single product.
- Hazelnut oil. Tightens pores, reduces areas of manifestation of rosacea on the skin. The product is contraindicated for people allergic to hazelnuts.
For sensitive
For face skin prone to inflammation and irritation, the use of the following types of oils is recommended:
- Peach seed oil. Nourishes the skin with vitamins, accelerates metabolic processes, moisturizes.
- Patchouli oil. It has a cleansing effect, helps get rid of acne.
- Olive. Strengthens the natural protective properties of the skin, deeply nourishes and moisturizes it.
For fading
For aging skin, experts recommend the following products:
- Cherry seed oil. Protects from ultraviolet radiation, maintains skin elasticity.
- Coconut It has a cooling and soothing effect. Helps fight infections on the skin.
- Macadamia oil. Helps to restore damaged, weathered or sunburned skin. Do not use for people prone to allergies.
Relatively dangerous products include cocoa butter, coconut, palm, wheat germ and flaxseed. They have the ability to strongly clog pores. And they are not recommended for people with oily skin.