Essential oil vs extracts of plants 精油與植物提取物的比較
“VitaminFreshSkin” – we have recently shared our knowledge on vitamins as an important ingredient used in natural skin care products. This time, we will cover essential oils and extracts as they are an important part of achieving healthy skin.
Essential oils are no stranger to most of us as this is commonly used in aromatherapy in addition to natural skin care products. Essential oils carry intense natural fragrance and are extracted from plants through a distillation process. This process uses the aromatic parts of plants such as stem, roots, leaves and flowers to create highly concentrated oils. Essential oils are, effectively, oils that carry the essence of the ingredient they are cultivated from. But not all plants contain essential oils. Examples of essential oils are tree tea, geranium, frankincense, lemongrass, lavender and neroli oils.
By comparison, preparation of plant extracts is easier. Extracts are not distilled, they are more of an infusion wherein plants are soaked in a liquid to isolate the needed plant extract. Although plant extracts are less potent than essential oils, it does not mean they are less effective. In fact, extracts have a major role in keeping our skin healthy without worrying how strong they are for the skin. Examples of plant extracts are aloe vera, green tea, rosemary and chamomile.
Use of essential oils and extracts in natural skin care products delivers results depends on its chemical composition, dilution and formula.
"天然護膚維生素" - 我們最近分享了天然護膚品其中的一個重耍成分是維生素。這次，我們會探討精油和植物提取物，因它們對健康皮膚也是重要的。
精油對我們大多數人來說並不陌生，因它除了用在天然護膚品外，它通常也用於香芬療法。精油帶有強烈的天然香味，並通過蒸餾過程從植物中提取。這個過程使用植物的芳香部份如莖、根、葉和花來提練高度濃縮的油。精油實際就是含有培養成份精華的精油。但並非所有植物都含有精油。精油的例子包括樹茶、天竺葵、乳香、檸檬草、薰衣草和橙花油。
相比之下，植物提取物的製備就較容易。植物提取物是經過輸液而不是蒸餾的過程。植物浸泡在液體中以分離所需的植物提取物。儘管植物提取物的效力低於精油，但並不意味著它們的效果較差。事實上，提取物在保持皮膚健康方面上是起著重要作用，更不用擔心它對皮膚有過強的反應。植物提取物的例子包括蘆薈、綠茶、迷迭香和洋甘菊。
天然護膚品中精油和提取物的使用取決於其化學成份，稀釋度和配方。
