Why We Love Essential Oils: Meet Aveda’s Singular Notes
Aroma has a very strong tie to our memories and emotions. Every time you smell an aroma, your current physiological and psychological state become associated with that smell.
At Aveda, we practice utilizing the art and science of pure plant and flower essences in our aromas and products. Our most popular aromas come in the form of essential oils. Essential oils are non water-soluble, but are not as thick as vegetable oils. Essential oils can be derived from any part of the plant: flowers, leaves, bark, roots, etc. Each essential oil is obtained from a specific part of the plant.
How Essential Oils are Made
Citrus oils are obtained through means of expression. This means the pressing of a citrus peel or rind (i.e. tangerine).
Most other oils are obtained through a distillation process, utilizing steam and cold water. Some plants, however, are too delicate for distillation (i.e. jasmine flowers). In jasmine’s particular case, another process called solvent extraction takes place, utilizing hexane to separate oils, colors, and waxes from the plant material.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
· Harvested from the Ivory Coast
· Helps balance oily, blemished, and acne-prone skin
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Helps with anxiety and depression, is uplifting & relaxing, repels insects, helps with loss of appetite
· Found in these Aveda products: Tourmaline Hydrating Creme, Men’s Line
Cinnamon Bark in Clove (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
· Harvested in Indonesia, Madagascar
· Helps balance normal to dry skin conditions
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Spicy and stimulating, excellent for warming, may help with muscle soreness when mixed with massage oil
· Found in these Aveda products: Exfoliant, Hydrating Lotion, Refreshing Bath Bar, Witch Hazel, Flaxseed Aloe Sculpting Gel
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
· Harvested in Australia, Tasmania
· Helps balance oily skin, prone to acne and blemishes
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Refreshing and stimulating, used as deodorant, insect repellant, decongestant inhalant for colds, pain reliever to muscular stress and rheumatism. Has also been used as a germicide and antiseptic.
· Found in these Aveda products: Actve Composition Oil, Color Conserve Conditioner, Color Conserve Shampoo, Confixor
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula angustfolia)
· Helps balance all skin conditions and the production of sebum; has deep cleansing qualities that are beneficial for blemished skin
· Traditional / Well-being uses: The most versatile of all oils: used as a treatment for colds and flu, to relieve headaches when massaged onto the temples, to soothe muscular tension and arthritis, as an insect repellant (as well as soothe bites and stings), to treat sunburn and minor scrapes, to calm and balance fluctuating moods and to help anxiety.
· Found in these Aveda products: Stress Fix Line, Rosemary Mint Hair and Body Care, Men’s Line, Foot Relief Lotion, Hair Detoxifier, Phomollient, Color Conserve Conditioner
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
· Helps balance dry skin conditions, especially those with chapped skin and dandruff conditions
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Calming and relaxing, used throughout history to promote formation of scar tissue. Small doses stimulate, while larger sedate. Has been considered a strong neural stimulant. In folk medicine, it was used as a treatment for edema, obesity, and water retention
· Found in these Aveda products: Balancing Infusion for Sensitive Skin, Refreshing Bath Bar, Confixor, Firmata, Hair Detoxifier, and Shampure
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
· Helps balance normal to oil skin conditions. Especially beneficial for acne-prone skin.
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Stimulation and decongestion. In ancient times it was used as a soothing remedy for digestive problems and has been used for hundreds of years to alleviate symptoms of colds and flu.
· Found in these Aveda products: Peppymint, Rosemary Mint Hair and Body Care, Energizing Cleanser, Blue Oil Balancing Concentrate
Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena)
· Harvested in Bulgaria, Morocco
· Helps balance dry, sensitive, and maturing skin. In the past it has been used to treat redness caused by distended capillaries
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Relaxing and sedating, has been shown to increase surface skin temperature and superficial blood volume, and has been used as a gentle antidepressant and aphrodisiac
· Found in these Aveda products: Balancing Infusion for Sensitive Skin, Calming Body Cleanser, Be Curly, Light Elements Defining Whip
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
· Helps balance sensitive and dry skin - yet good for all skin types. Deep cleansing properties aid oily and blemished skin
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Relaxing and sedating, used by some cultures in the past as an anti-depressant, antiseptic, treatment for UTI’s and chronic bronchitis. Also a soothing aftershave.
· Found in these Aveda products: Control Paste
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
· Helps balance normal to oily skin conditions
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Uplifting and energizing
· Found in these Aveda products: Soothing Aqua Therapy, Smoothing Body Polish, Replenishing Body Moisturizer
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
· Helps balance oily, blemished, and acne conditions
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Stimulating and active against all 3 categories of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Used for colds in the Far East. Also used for cold sores, acne, fungal infections, sinus problems, and as an anaesthetic and deodorant.
· Found in these Aveda products: Soothing Aqua Therapy, Smoothing Body Polish, Replenishing Body Moisturizer, Color Conserve, Scalp Benefits
· Harvested in Mexico, Madagascar
· Helps balance normal to dry skin, yet good for all skin types
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Calming and grounding, used widely in perfumes. Considered an aphrodisiac and used by the Aztecs and Toltecs to strengthen the heart, eliminate tiredness, and protection against fevers
· Found in these Aveda products: Calming Body Cleanser, Shampure, Be Curly
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
· Helps balance sensitive, dry, and oily skin. Thought to be effective in balancing sebum action
· Traditional / Well-being uses: Relaxing - has been used as a sedative and an aphrodisiac. Thought to help one achieve self-confidence and has been used as a hair tonic.
· Found in these Aveda products: Firmata, Light Elements Defining Whip, Shampure
For more information, stop by Jiva and ask to experience our singular notes. They are diluted in a coconut oil base and are safe for applying directly to the skin, can be used in a customized Purefume spray, as bath oil, as a room diffuser, or added to a non-fragranced lotion or massage oil.
For further information on these oils or to check out their customer reviews please click here
