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Aromatherapy series: why geranium essential oil is the secret to glowing skin

The intensely floral scent of geranium essential oil has been adored for millennia due to its comforting and balancing actions to the emotions and skin alike. In this feature we discuss how this wonderful aromatic oil works.

Geranium essential oil is steam distilled from the perennial shrub Pelargonium Graveolens, which is native to various locations around the world and indigenous to Southern Africa.

While there are hundreds of geranium species, just a handful are cultivated for essential oil production, with bourbon, Chinese and Egyptian geranium variations being the most used.

The plant must be freshly cut just before the flowers open to enable the highest yield of therapeutic actions within the extraction process, as this produces an aromatic oil with a highly floral rose-like scent, overlaid with sweet herbaceous notes and a subtle spicy green undertone.

In fact, geranium bourbon is often referred to as rose-geranium for its similar aromatic fragrance, making it a beloved oil with aromatherapists and clients alike.

Why is geranium essential oil good for the skin?
Geranium essential oil is well regarded for its ability to balance the skin. It is highly effective for dry, sensitive or menopausal skin, right through to oil-rich and problematic complexions due to its chemical composition boasting an array of anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and cicatrisant benefits.

Geranium essential oil is found in Eve Taylor London’s Soothing Aromatic Serum, the brand’s best-selling formulation and the first product created by our founder. This lipid-based serum soothes sensitive and irritated skin with a hand-blended synergy of essential oils complimented with eucalyptus, cypress and lavender, promoting skin harmony and a calming of the senses.

As well as the versatile actions of geranium essential oil, we can also take advantage of the aromatic condensate water co-produced within its steam distillation. In this process, geranium leaves and stems are placed into a still, followed by pressurised steam passing through the plant material, extracting the essential oil molecules and eventually condensing back to its water state.

The geranium essential oil is syphoned away leaving a secondary end product, water enriched with microscopic geranium oil droplets and water soluble constituents, giving this aromatic water therapeutic properties which can be applied directly to the skin without the need for dilution.

The gentle, yet effective, actions of geranium hydrolat are ideal for those sensitive to the active nature of essential oils, such as during pregnancy or when a more subtle treatment approach is required.
Eve Taylor London’s Geranium hydrolat is ideal for use on all skins and can be used to customise products within the professional treatment. It boosts effects when added to face masques for all skin types and conditions.

It is especially beneficial for those with menopausal symptoms and may be spritzed directly onto the skin as a refreshing tonic, hydrating the epidermal layers with essential moisture and soothing hot and irritated complexions.

It can even be used as a standalone comforting mist when in a low mood or when feeling hormonally-induced anxiety.

Why is geranium essential oil good for overall wellbeing?
In addition to geranium’s skin benefits, you cannot underestimate its power of treating emotional health. Geranium is well regarded for its comforting and supportive effects, lessening feelings of anxiety and calming nerves.

Anecdotally, geranium is known for promoting feelings of balance and harmony, helping to ground us when we experience transition and change, which often leaves us feeling out of sync with the rhythm of life.

Jackie Brindley
Jackie Brindley
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