June 8, 2021
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3 MIN READ
What is an essential oil? What is their role in skincare?
The power of essential oils in skincare
Essential oils can make a product smell beautiful—but they’re so much more than just a natural fragrance. These potent plant extracts contain hundreds of active compounds, each contributing to the oil’s therapeutic and aromatic profile. Together, these compounds work in harmony, offering benefits for both skin and mind.
From calming redness to uplifting the senses, essential oils bring a holistic dimension to skincare, helping to restore balance to the mind, body, and spirit.
Key takeaways
- Essential oils are active botanical ingredients with therapeutic benefits.
- When blended, they work synergistically to enhance skin results.
- The same oil can adapt to different skin needs.
- A well-balanced blend can transform both the skin benefits and the sensory experience of a product.
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are the highly concentrated, volatile compounds found in aromatic plants. Each oil is unique to its botanical source, and there are around 150 commonly used in aromatherapy today.
Because their molecules are tiny and oil-soluble, essential oils absorb easily into the skin. They can also be inhaled, where they enter the bloodstream through the lungs and mucous membranes—this is why their scent can have such a powerful effect on mood.
They’re extracted from different parts of plants—flowers, leaves, bark, seeds, resin—using methods like steam distillation (most common), mechanical pressing (for citrus), solvent extraction, or CO₂ extraction.
The beauty of synergy
When it comes to essential oils, the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts. Combining certain oils can amplify their individual effects.
For example, all essential oils have some antimicrobial activity, but many also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or regenerative properties.
In skincare, these actions might help to:
- Calm redness and inflammation
- Support tissue repair and cell renewal
- Regulate oil production
- Boost circulation for healthy skin glow
- Enhance emotional wellbeing through scent
A blend that works: our acne-prone skin formula
The essential oils in our Amaranthine's Face Oil were chosen to work in harmony for acne-prone skin:
- Lavender – antiseptic, anti-inflammatory
- Frankincense – antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, regenerative
- Geranium – antiseptic, astringent, skin-healing
- Sweet Orange – antibacterial, astringent
Together, they help reduce bacteria, calm inflammation, balance oiliness, and support skin healing—gently.
Adapting to your skin's needs
One fascinating property of essential oils is their ability to respond to what your skin needs at that moment. The same oil may calm breakouts on oily skin or focus on regeneration for mature skin.
For example, frankincense in our blend works to reduce redness in acne-prone skin, but on more mature skin, its cell-regenerating qualities take centre stage, helping to soften lines and improve texture.
Fragrant harmony in skincare
Essential oils are also classified by how their scent develops—top, middle, and base notes. A balanced blend includes all three for a fragrance that’s not just pleasant, but layered and lasting.
Our face oil combines:
- Sweet Orange (top)
- Lavender (top/middle)
- Geranium (middle)
- Frankincense (middle/base)
The result? A scent that’s uplifting yet grounding, with skin benefits that match its sensory appeal. When I formulated it, I spent a long time fine-tuning this harmony so it delivers maximum skin results and a beautiful experience.
Final thoughts
Essential oils are at the heart of our skincare philosophy—offering benefits for skin, senses, and spirit. When sourced responsibly and blended with care, they transform a skincare routine into a mindful ritual.
If you’d like to experience the synergy for yourself, explore Amaranthine's award-winning, cruelty-free, palm oil free 100% natural face oil—handcrafted in small batches for skin health and planet health.
Updated on 05/08/25
Sarah Rueger
About the author
Sarah is the founder of certified palm oil free natural skincare brand Amaranthine. She is a qualified organic skincare formulator and has diplomas in Beauty Therapy and Clinical Aromatherapy.
