In Part 1 of this two-part series, we took a look at why non-aromatic healthy oils like argon and castor can be so beneficial for the skin. In Part 2, we will dive into the fascinating world of essential oils. We will explore just what an essential oil is and how to choose the best oils for you.

I am excited to guide you into the wonders of essential oils, so let’s get started!

Why Essential Oils?

In the previous article, I explained what made certain non-aromatic oils so special when it comes to healing the skin– if you haven’t checked that article out yet, you can do so HERE!

Argan, castor, and coconut oil were some skin-friendly “carrier oils” we explored in that article and their benefits had to do with the particular fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients they contain. With “essential oils,” it is a little different. What makes essential oils uniquely powerful are the specific flavonoid substances they contain.

Essential oils are, in a nutshell, “compounds extracted from plants.” Everything from oregano to orange can be made into an essential oil. Essential oils have been used for centuries worldwide– the first recorded use dates to 2697-2597 B.C.E in China. Today there are hundreds of different types of pure essential oils as well as proprietary blends to choose from.

In addition, essential oils have been used for every malady known to humankind. As we will see, this includes some pretty specific skin-healing properties as well. What makes essential oils so powerful for the body? The answer can be summed up in one word: terpenes.

Terpenes in Essential Oils

A terpene is a class of “oily organic compounds” found in plants. They are what give certain plants their “aroma,” but that is not all. Many plant terpenes are also highly anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and protective for the body and brain internally and also for the skin. And because they can bypass the blood-brain barrier – the network of blood vessels that regulate the movement of substances between the brain and the bloodstream– terpenes can quite quickly affect the entire body. (1)

There are hundreds of different terpenes found in plants. Some of these include limonene, pinene, myrcene, and linalool. You may have heard of these terpenes in reference to the plant known as cannabis sativa. However, cannabis isn't the only plant out there that contains terpenes. In fact, all aromatic plants contain them!

Know What You are Using

Because the terpenes in essential oils can have such an effect on the body, quality and purity is paramount when choosing an essential oil brand. Indeed, sub-par essential oils can have serious consequences for your overall health.

The first thing you want to do when considering any essential oil brand is to make sure that your product actually comes from plants. As crazy as this sounds, some essential oil products are created synthetically by “mimicking” the aromatics and other properties of the actual plant and then forming them in the lab using synthetic ingredients.

When it comes to quality, another huge factor is how essential oils are processed before they are bottled and put on the shelf. Unfortunately, most brands you see in the sundry department of your local health food store or online have been processed (and the natural oils extracted) using solvents, especially hexane and ethanol. This can leave chemical residue which can harm the nervous system and more. (2)

You absolutely want to stay away from synthetic essential oils. In addition, always make sure that:

• Your naturally-based essential oils are processed using “cold press” or water distillation” methods
• They contain only organic, non-GMO plant matter
• That they have been lab tested for chemicals and pesticide residue
• They are “supplement grade,” meaning that (like supplements) they are safe to consume when properly diluted either orally or via the skin (3)

You will never find synthetically-based essential oils in CHARLíS products. What you will find, however, is organic, sustainably obtained essential oils. Since every bottle that goes out to you must first pass our independent lab testing to make sure it is certified ToxicFree(R), you can also have peace of mind that the essential oils contained within the entire CHARLíS Luxury Skincare line will give you only benefits and no harm!

Citrus Essential Oils in CHARLíS Luxury Skincare Products

One of the most powerful essential oils for skin across the board is citrus. At CHARLíS, this includes sweet orange, tangerine, grapefruit, and bergamot. We believe that using citrus is foundational for healthy skin. That is why you will see citrus essential oil in some form in just about every CHARLíS product.

Why do we think so highly of citrus essential oils? Let’s take a look!

First off, all citrus essential oils contain healthy amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C is the main substance needed for both collagen production and synthesis. When you fortify with plants that contain it, you are helping your skin stay supple and youthful-looking. You are also protecting it from the harsh toxins of the environment since C is a great antioxidant and anti-microbial as well.

Which part of a particular plant you use for creating an essential oil is also important. All of the sweet orange, tangerine, and grapefruit essential oils that go into CHARLíS products come from the peel of the fruit. It is in the peel where healing terpenes like limonene as well as other phytonutrients such as vitamins C and E as well as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can be found.

All this translates to noticeable effects on your skin. Sweet Orange peel essential oil, for example, – found in the CHARLÍS Daily Facial Cleanser ( as well as other CHARLíS products) amongst– can help fight acne and minimize the appearance of blemishes. Grapefruit peel essential oil, included in the CHARLÍS Breath of Life Oxygen Serum, helps to renew skin cells while it tightens and rebalances sebum levels.

Finally, citrus essential oil has been proven in several studies to be a highly effective natural anti-depressant as well. A 2008 Chinese investigation found that the bioflavonoid apigenin (found in abundance in citrus fruits) helps to naturally rebalance the nervous system. This explains why so many of our customers say that it just feels so good to use CHARLíS Luxury Skin Care every day! (4)

Thyme Essential Oil

Another amazing essential oil that we use in our products is thyme. Thyme oil was used by the ancient Greeks for centuries, especially for respiratory illnesses. In fact, during the European “Black Death,” which occurred in the Middle Ages, individuals wore thyme flowers (or “posies”) for protection.

When it comes to skin, thyme oil rises to the top as well. Its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties are why it can be helpful for pathogens both inside the body and on the surface of the skin. Thyme oil was found in a very recent 2022 meta-analysis to be a viable alternative to antibiotics for fortifying the skin against acne.

Thyme is also a very stimulating herb, so concentrated thyme oil can “perk up” tired skin and even help with tissue repair. We include thyme oil in our Nourishing Anti-Aging Toner. When synergistically working alongside other products in this formula, such as aloe, Alpine rose, and citrus essential oils, thyme adds a refreshingly cleansing effect to this, gentle yet effective.

Sandalwood. Typical sandalwood essential oil is created using the bark of sandalwood trees that grow primarily in certain parts of India. It is an ancient medicinal tree that has been used for over 4,000 years. Sandalwood bark contains the terpenoid α-Santalol, a known anti-inflammatory. Oil of sandalwood has been used for cancer prevention, to balance mood and hormones, and so much more. A 2015 joint study by researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania and South Dakota State University found that α-Santalol helped to downregulate the cancer protein biomarker Survivin in women with breast cancer. (5)

Here at CHARLíS, we use a slightly different variety of sandalwood called Santalum Spicatum Seed Oil, or Australian Sandalwood. In contrast to regular sandalwood essential oil, which has a distinct aroma, Australian Sandalwood is actually a seed oil. Because of this, it is not so much the terpene load that creates the healing effect for skin but the synergetic effect of many different phytonutrients within the oil. Australian aboriginals have used sandalwood seed for skin wounds and burns (as well as for helping with joint pain and other maladies) for centuries.

Scientists now know that the reason why sandalwood seed oil can be so healing for the skin has to do with a rare type of fatty acid that this oil has in abundance. Ximenynic acid is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It can also reduce sebum production (which can be great for oily skin) and increase microcirculation in the skin itself. Increased blood flow can help with varicose veins, cellulitis, blemishes, and more. Australian Sandalwood seed oil can be found in the CHARLíS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer.

Essential Oils: Great Tools for Vibrant Skin!

So there you have it! All you need to know to start your own healing adventure with essential oils. The best part of this adventure is that it gets to start right here with all of the amazing, 100% natural formulas that have made CHARLíS what it is today: the go-to source for luxury and health for your skin…

…because you are so worth it!

References:

1. NIH blood-brain barrier
2. n-Hexane1: Acute Exposure Guideline Levels
3. How Essential Oils are Made
4. Antidepressant-like behavioral and neurochemical effects of the citrus-associated chemical apigenin
5. Survivin Down-regulation by α-Santalol Is Not Mediated Through PI3K-AKT Pathway in Human Breast Cancer Cells