Sage Hydrosol for Your Hair

Also called holy sage, sage is a sub-shrub that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Etymologically, salvia comes from the Latin salvare, which means "to heal". It is indeed used since the Antiquity for its medicinal virtues. It was used to fight many diseases such as gangrene or to stimulate digestion.

Its hydrolate is obtained by steam distillation from dried leaves. It has a strong antioxidant activity and fights free radicals. When applied to the skin, it helps restore radiance to the complexion and regulates the production of sebum, matifying oily skin. For the hair, it has several benefits listed below.

• It revitalizes dehydrated and dry hair, moisturizes hair fibers and adds shine.

• The terpenes it contains (eucalyptol, bornyl acetate) have anti-inflammatory properties. The hydrolate of sage officinalis is thus recommended to alleviate the irritated scalps prone to itching or rednesses.

• It also contains antioxidant compounds. This hydrosol protects the hair from external aggressions (pollution, sun, cigarettes...) which generate an overproduction of free radicals. As a reminder, this phenomenon called oxidative stress is a factor linked to the deterioration of hair fibers, the appearance of white hair or hair loss. Sage officinalis hydrosol and the molecules it contains neutralize free radicals to prevent them from harming the hair and to preserve a beautiful quality of hair as long as possible.

• It regulates the production of sebum and cleanses oily scalps, avoiding the sometimes unsightly appearance of greasy dandruff due to excessive flaking.

In cosmetic care, sage hydrosol is referred to as I.N.C.I. "Salvia Officinalis Leaf Water". In capillary application, it is used in the composition of certain shampoos, conditioners or masks for dry and damaged hair and/or hair subjected to various daily stresses (pollution, cigarettes, UV rays) or for oily scalps with or without dandruff.

It can also be used alone, as a mist, to be applied on the lengths to revitalize and protect them from external aggressions. Pure, it can also be applied directly to the roots to limit excess sebum and the greasy appearance of certain scalps.

• FAUCON M. Traité d'aromathérapie scientifique et médicale - les hydrolats (Tome 2). Paru le 13 novembre 2018. 

• TAMBA B. I. & al. Medicinal plants of the family Lamiaceae in pain therapy: A review. Pain Research & Management (2018).