What Are the Benefits of Sweet Orange Essential Oil for Skin?

The sweet orange is a tree of the Rutaceae family. Originally from Southeast Asia, its cultivation has spread to the Mediterranean, Central America (Costa Rica), South America and Israel. In traditional medicine, sweet orange was used to stimulate digestion and to soothe the nervous system. 

Contrary to the majority of essential oils which are derived from steam distillation, sweet orange essential oil is obtained by cold extraction of the epicarp of the fruit (peel). Its biochemical composition may vary according to the origin of the harvested fruits, but in general, sweet orange essential oil contains mainly limonene (at least 90%) and, in smaller quantities, myrcene (monoterpene), decanal (aldehyde) and alpha-pinene. It is precisely these different active substances that give this essential oil its multiple benefits for the skin: clearing, toning, soothing, decongesting, cleansing. 

Potentially allergenic, it is contraindicated in topical application in babies and children under 6 years. The use by diluted cutaneous way is possible for the women pregnant of more than 4 months.
Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (two drops in the hollow of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check that there is no reaction).

When applied to the skin, this natural substance has two main properties:

• Sanitizing and clearing for the skin, this essential oil is beneficial against microorganisms involved in acne.

As a reminder, acne is a chronic inflammatory disease, generally caused by an excess of sebum (dysseborrhea) that clogs the pores. In this grease-rich environment, bacteria usually present in small quantities on the skin, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus, proliferate, generating an inflammatory response on the skin surface. The limonene present at more than 90% in the essential oil of sweet orange is recognized for its bactericidal activity and benefits for skin. It thus fights effectively against P. Acnes and S. Aureus and limits the imperfections on the surface of the skin.

• Toning and firming, it fights against skin slackening.

The ketones present in this essential oil have a lipolytic action. The essential oil of sweet orange is thus recommended to firm up the skins which present cellulite.
In addition, sweet orange essential oil is known for its floral and fresh fragrance, which gives a pleasant scent to cosmetic formulas.