What are the benefits of sweet orange essential oil for the skin?

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).

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.