A Flashback in Cosmetics: Vegetable Oils

The idea of applying oil to our skin may seem strange at first, especially on our face. But vegetable oils, which were not that popular in beauty routines until a few years ago, have recently convinced many of us that they are the key to supple and healthy skin. Stains? Black dots? Severe dehydration? There seems to be an oil that does all this good; but where to start?

The fact that we use natural oils to nourish and renew our skin is not a modern phenomenon. Healers dealing with Ayurveda in India listed more than 700 herbs centuries ago, including cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, and sandalwood, which they used for therapeutic purposes. The ancient Egyptians used a wide variety of plants and their oils in mummification and in daily life, in religious rituals, medicinal purposes, make-up and bathing. Fragrant bark, leaves, stems, bark and roots of plants; The powder was used to make tablets, incense, and perfume. Hippocrates, the pioneer of modern medicine in ancient Greece, researched hundreds of plant extracts and how they complemented the body's natural healing process.

During the 19th century, many essences were scientifically categorized as never before. The chemist Gattefossé in 20th-century France, his book aromatherapyHe discovered that when essential oils are absorbed, they interact positively with the body's chemistry. However, with the emergence of petroleum-based creams, the cosmetics industry, which flourished at the beginning of the 20th century, pushed oils into the background for a while. Until now.

The modern aromatherapy trend is quite convincing that these golden liquids are the only solution for a flawless face. However, although some oils are really effective, it is necessary to do good research and get support from experts in order to understand the world of oils and develop solutions that fit their needs. So, what are the basic concepts we need to know before diving into the depths of this world?

essential oils

Essential oils are made from fragrant essences found in plants and have been used for thousands of years for different purposes. These oils are rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that help strengthen and smooth the skin's protective barrier. For example, clove and tea tree essential oil; naturally antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral and anti-bacterial. Sandalwood and lavender essential oil are effective against skin wounds and redness. What we need to be aware of is the possibility that essential oils can cause skin irritation. Therefore, these oils should never be applied directly to the skin.

Carrier oils

Carrier oils, also known as base or fixed oils; It is defined as vegetable oil obtained from the seeds, kernels or nuts of a plant. While some are unscented, most carrier oils have a sweet and mild nutty or hazelnut-like scent. They are used to dilute essential oils that we cannot apply directly to our skin or to produce essential oil blends. Some oils alone are not suitable for applying to the skin; therefore, mixing the right oils in the right proportions gives the best results for your skin.

The first thing to consider before using carrier oil is the quality of the oil. To use a clean and high quality oil, it is recommended that the oil be organic, cold pressed and unrefined.

More for the curious:

1. https://www.ikigaiglobal.com/articles/oil-slick/
   
2. https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/category/natural/Keeping-with-Tradition-Essential-Oil-History-Use-and-Production-A-Review-511922692.html
   
3. https://www.oilixiaskincare.com/blog/oilixia-origins/essential-oils-brief-history/
   
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321639#what-is-a-carrier-oil
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/carrier-oil

The views expressed in this article aim to shed light on alternative studies and encourage conversation. These views of the author do not necessarily reflect the views of Be People and are for informational purposes only, even if they contain to some extent the advice of physicians and physicians (medical doctors). This article; It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, and the information herein should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.

About the author:

Deniz Şenliler – Be People Publication Coordinator

Having completed her undergraduate education at Boğaziçi University, Department of Sociology, Deniz Şenliler is pursuing her master's degree at Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of Cultural Studies. Şenliler, who started his editorship at BUMED Boğaziçi Magazine in 2012; editorship in publications such as Artful Living and Zero Istanbul; She worked as a freelance writer for publications such as Sinefil, Istanbul Art News, Great Art Istanbul, Istanbul '74 A Journal, Kale Unicera Magazine and Kolektif House Komag, and was the editorial coordinator of BÜMED Boğaziçi Magazine and Assembly Journal. Şenliler, who has been working as a content manager at Shop Creative since September 2018; has produced content for Niche Istanbul, Kutnia, Assembly Buildings social media accounts; He still maintains his post on the Be People Blog and social media accounts.