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Beyond perfume: a history of essential oils

Essential oils have been an important part of human culture for millennia, used extensively in medicine and religious ceremonies well before their use in modern personal care products.

Thousands of years ago, people clearly believed essential oils carried a great deal of power, and still today consumers seek out the healing and restorative properties of these fascinating natural products.

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the importance of the sense of smell to people’s overall level of wellbeing. For many years, fragrances have been linked with an ability to change one’s mood, but there are now scientific studies focusing on the link between smell and memory, concentration, stress, and even spending habits. In fact, in many ways, the approach to smell has now come full circle and we are almost back to a Victorian attitude to smell, without perhaps going so far as to believe powerful stenches bring illnesses with them; but nevertheless there is certainly renewed interest in the properties of fragrance compounds and their deeper activity.   

Renewed interest in essential oils has come about largely as a result of the green/naturals trend which has transformed the personal care industry over the last 20 years. The concept of `essential oils´ benefits hugely in this market as it almost represents ‘concentrated natural power’. People will always be eager to use products containing this type of ingredient, as long as it is safe. And safety with these products, and of course with cosmetic and personal care products in general, is critical. They are very potent, but also extremely useful ingredients when the right type of essential oil is used properly. 

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Upcoming Events

in-cosmetics Global

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
16th – 18th April 2024

NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2024

Javits Center, New York
1st - 2nd May 2024

9th Anti-Ageing Skin Care Conference

Royal College of Physicians, London
25th - 26th June 2024

in-cosmetics Korea 2024

Hall C, Coex, Seoul, South Korea
24th - 26th July 2024

in-cosmetics Latin America 2024

São Paulo, Brazil
25th - 26th September 2024

IFSCC 2024

Recanto das Cataratas Thermas Resort, Iguazu Falls, Brazil
14th - 17th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Personal Care Magazine on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Personal Care Magazine app from your device's App store

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