Author: Ewa Farjon, M.S.
We all like nice scents. We like the smell of flowers, fresh baked bread, and our favorite shampoo. But a pleasing aroma is only one component of the scents we like. When used in personal care products, some scents are beneficial for our body, and some are not. Even more important, some of these scents are harmful.
Let's start with the "bad guys": synthetic fragrances. They can be made up of as many as 200 (!) ingredients, but the label will contain only one word: "fragrance," "fragrance oil," or "perfume." This is because, unfortunately, according to "trade secret" law, the manufacturer of the product containing the fragrance does not have to disclose the ingredients used in making it. Otherwise we would see the names of toxic chemicals, such as toluene, formaldehyde, benzene derivatives, phthalates, acetone, and many others known to cause birth defects, cancer, kidney damage, allergy, skin irritation, to name just a few. Even though cosmetic and personal care product companies know that the ingredients they are using are toxic, they use these synthetic fragrances because of price.
In this instance, it is true that "you get what you pay for." Essential oils - the "good guys," not only have a nice scent, but are also beneficial for both health and beauty. But they are also much more expensive than artificial fragrances. Essential oils are carefully extracted and distilled from plants to preserve the very thing that makes them "essential." As David Stewart, PhD points out in his book, Healing Oils of the Bible: "These oils are the vital fluids of plants that are their life blood. They are called 'essential' because they are necessary for the life force, intelligence, and vibrational energy that imbues them with healing power that works for people."
Essential Oils have been used for centuries to prolong youth and beauty. In their book, Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda, Pratima Raichur and Marian Cohn write, "Skin is alive, and lifeless chemicals cannot give life back to the skin." This is why essential oils -- though expensive - are popular with people who are knowledgeable about skincare. This is also why, when looking for "miracle, rejuvenating ingredients," we must come back to nature. In The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless writes: "Aging is inevitable, but essential oils can do much to slow down the effect. The regular use of facial treatments containing cytophylactic oils (those that stimulate new cell growth and prevent wrinkles) is vital - such oils include lavender, neroli and frankincense. Base oils rich in Vitamin E (…) are especially beneficial for promoting cell regeneration."
Rejuvenating ingredients, like those Julia Lawless recommends, are exactly the kinds of ingredients that Gems & Herbs uses in its skin care products. For instance, we use essential oils that stimulate cell regeneration and slow down the aging process (such as neroli, rose, frankincense and lavender) in our anti-aging preparations. In addition, we use vitamin E in large enough amounts for it to work effectively -- unlike some products from other companies that are just "dusted" with vitamin E, for labeling purposes.
You will only find pure essential oils in Gems & Herbs' products - never artificial fragrances. So let's trust the experts and our intuition, and when we choose our skin care products, let's reach for holistic cosmetics.
Ewa Farjon, M.S., has been a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists since 2001, and has years of experience in the cosmetics industry as a formulation chemist.
Today, she utilizes her knowledge and skills to develop natural, holistic products without harsh chemicals for her own company, Gems & Herbs. Ms. Farjon is also an international speaker and SPA consultant. More information may be found at About Us.
