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Lippia Citriodora Leaf Water

What is "Lippia Citriodora Leaf Water" and what is its utility?

This refers to the I.N.C.I. name used to denote thelemon verbena hydrosol. This helps to refine the skin texture and restores radiance to the complexion.

Summary
Published February 1, 2022, updated on February 5, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 5 min read

Lemon Verbena, an overview.

Lemon verbena or Lippia Citriodora is a plant native to the Andes Mountains, growing at high altitudes and belonging to the Verbenaceae family. It is cultivated for its leaves, which are harvested twice a year, between mid-July and mid-October, after flowering.

It is reported that lemon verbena was introduced to Europe around 1767 by a French botanist (Philibert COMMERSON) following his trip to Buenos Aires. In France, to meet the needs of the perfume industry, lemon verbena is now primarily grown in Provence (in the vicinity of Grasse).

It is widely consumed as a herbal tea due to its balancing effect on the central and autonomic nervous systems. Moreover, this plant is also found in skincare, most often in the form of a hydrosol.

What is lemon verbena hydrosol?

From its rough and slightly serrated leaves, essential oil and hydrosol are extracted through hydrodistillation. This process involves carrying the aromatic molecules or volatile constituents (the essential oil) with steam, then cooling this steam which condenses in the essencier to produce the hydrosol. This hydrosol is primarily composed of citral, nerol, geraniol, and alpha-terpineol.

Note : The essential oil of lemon verbena has a very low yield (about 0.09%...), making it one of the rarest and most expensive on the market. Its hydrosol, with a pleasant fragrance and soothing properties, represents an excellent alternative to the essential oil.

The cosmetic virtues of lemon verbena plant water.

The diversity of components in verbena hydrosol makes it a natural compound with multiple virtues, intended for all skin types, and primarily for sensitive skin.

  • It provides a clarifying action for a brighter complexion and refines the skin's texture. This property makes its presence relevant in our radiance toner. This treatment is also concentrated in vitamin C and helps to regulate the skin's pH, brighten the complexion, and reduce the appearance of pigmentation spots.

  • As an anti-inflammatory, it soothes redness and irritation. Indeed, due to its content of monoterpenic alcohols, it calms skin irritations and tightness. Furthermore, it provides a sensation of softness and freshness. This property also makes theverbena hydrosol a soothing remedy for sunburns.

  • It tones the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite. Indeed, it provides a firming action on the connective tissue as well as a gentle draining effect.

Note : Lemon verbena hydrosol may potentially pose aphotosensitizingrisk. For this reason, it is advisable not to use it before sun exposure.

Our skincare products with lemon verbena hydrosol.

Enriched with active ingredients to balance the skin's pH, brighten the complexion, and reduce the appearance of pigmentation spots, the brightening tonic with vitamin C also contains lemon verbena water for a light fruity scent. After the makeup removal steps, this toning lotion is applied with a cotton pad to the entire face, avoiding the eye contour, and does not need to be rinsed off.

The botanical hydrating mist provides an immediate refreshing boost. The skin feels comfortable and the complexion is radiant. It contains centifolia rose cells and a hydrating biosaccharide, soothing verbena hydrosol, and balancing inulin . This is a portable treatment that can be applied at any time of the day.

Source:

  • CANAC P. & al. Traité d'Aromathérapie scientifique et médicale, les hydrolats (1ère ed.). Paris : Édition Sang de la Terre (2018).

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