Originating from China, the sweet orange comes from the sweet orange tree, botanically known as citrus sinensis. Its essential oil, with a fresh and tangy scent, is used in cooking, aromatherapy, and skin care. In this article, we are particularly interested in its benefits in cosmetics.
What are the benefits of sweet orange essential oil for the skin?
Summary
Published on October 2, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
The sweet orange and its essential oil, an overview.
The sweet orange tree is a member of the Rutaceae family. Originating from Southeast Asia, its cultivation has since spread around the Mediterranean basin, Central America (Costa Rica), South America and Israel. In traditional medicine, the sweet orange was used to stimulate digestion and soothe the nervous system.
Unlike the majority of essential oils that are derived from steam distillation, sweet orange essential oil is obtained through cold extraction of the fruit's epicarps (peels). Its biochemical composition can vary depending on the origin of the harvested fruits, but generally, sweet orange essential oil primarily contains limonene (at least 90%) and, in smaller quantities, myrcene (monoterpene), decanal (aldehyde), and alpha-pinene. It is precisely these various active substances that provide this oil with its multiple benefits (toning, soothing, decongesting, sanitising).
Potentially allergenic, it is contraindicated for topical application in babies and children under 6 years old. The diluted topical use is possible for pregnant women over 4 months.
Note : It is advisable to test the essential oil before using it (two drops in the crook of the elbow for at least 24 hours to ensure that there is no reaction).
The essential oil of sweet orange for the skin.
When applied topically, this natural substance exhibits two main properties:
With its purifying properties, it combats the micro-organisms responsible for acne.
As a reminder, acne is a chronic inflammatory disease typically caused by an excess of sebum (dysseborrhoea) which clogs the pores. In this fat-rich environment, bacteria usually present in small quantities on the skin,Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus,proliferate, triggering an inflammatory response on the skin's surface. The limonene, present in over 90% of thesweet orange essential oil , is recognised for its bactericidal activity. It thus effectively combats P.Acnes and S.Aureus and reduces imperfections on the skin's surface.
Toning and firming, it combats skin sagging.
The ketones present in this essential oil have a lipolytic action. Therefore, sweet orange essential oil is recommended for firming skin that shows signs of cellulite.
Furthermore, sweet orange essential oil is renowned for its floral and fresh fragrancewhich imparts a pleasant scent to cosmetic formulations.
The essential oil of sweet orange at Typology.
Typology has incorporated sweet orange essential oil into the exfoliating cleansing gel based on PHA and aloe vera. This skincare product offers a gradual micro-exfoliation of the skin to unclog pores, smooth the skin texture and reveal a radiant and even complexion.
Sources
FAUCON M. Treatise on Scientific and Medical Aromatherapy - Essential Oils - Foundations and Prescription Aids (2017).
HUATING D. & al. The impact of sweet orange essential oil microcapsules on weight reduction in obese SD rats induced by a high-fat diet. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (2019).
FENG Z. & al. Essential oil and juice from bergamot and sweet orange enhance the treatment of acne vulgaris triggered by excessive androgen secretion. Mediators of Inflammation (2020).
