Essential oils date back thousands of years to ancient civilisations. Egyptians used oils in mummification and perfumery, while Greeks and Romans used them in cosmetics, medicine, and religious rituals. Nowadays, in the 21st century, the global essential oils market is booming. Valued at $12.74 billion in 2024, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.69% by 2032 to reach $27.82 billion, driven by the rising consumer demand for natural products, sensory-related aspects and food preservation. (Fortune Business Insights). This rise reflects a broader desire for natural alternatives over synthetic ingredients, emphasising the importance of understanding and incorporating essential oils into a range of product formulations.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are natural, aromatic substances taken from plants. They contain the plant’s unique scent and flavour, hence the name ‘essential’. Each oil contains a complex chemical profile that provides functional benefits and properties, as well as fragrance enhancement.
How are essential oils produced?
The production of essential oils can vary depending on the source, however, here are some of the most popular methods of production:
Steam Distillation
The most common method, where plant material is steamed, and the essential oil is separated from the condensed water.
Cold Pressing
Used mainly for citrus oils, this involves mechanically pressing the peels to extract the oil without the use of heat or chemicals.
Solvent Extraction
Often used for delicate flowers such as jasmine, this method uses solvents to dissolve and separate the oil.
CO2 Extraction
A modern technique that uses pressurised carbon dioxide to extract high-quality oils without heat.
At O&3, we always strive to provide you with ingredients that have been ethically sourced and have undergone efficient extraction methods to ensure quality whilst reducing waste.
The benefits of adding essential oils into formulations
Essential oils offer a whole range of benefits to formulations, making them valuable ingredients in many products for a myriad of reasons:
Natural fragrance
Replace synthetic perfumes with nature-inspired scents.
Functional
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and mood-enhancing effects, as well as skin-soothing, clarifying, or stimulating properties tailored to specific product goals.
Sustainable and responsible
Their natural origin aligns with consumer demand for transparency and sustainability.
Which essential oil is best for your formulation?
While lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils are household names, here’s a list of less well-known options to consider:
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang)
With a fresh citrus scent, this oil offers antimicrobial properties, this Litsea Cubeba is ideal for incorporating into cleaning products.
Calamansi Oil
Extracted from a citrus hybrid, Calamansi Essential Oil combines bright aroma with antimicrobial benefits.
Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot Seed Essential Oil is renowned for its soothing and rejuvenating properties in skin and haircare, as well as aromatherapy.
Helichrysum Oil
Known as ‘Immortelle’ or ‘Everlasting’, Helichrysum Essential Oil contains anti-inflammatory and skin-regenerating properties, making it a great addition to skincare formulations.
Plai Oil
Related to ginger but with a softer scent, Plai Essential Oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and potential pain-relieving properties, making it excellent for muscle rubs and balms.
O&3 Thoughts…
Essential oils are more than just fragrances, they are ingredients packed with a huge range of benefits and potential applications. For brands, understanding their benefits and versatility is key to creating products that resonate with today’s consumers. At O&3, we’re here to guide you through sourcing, selecting, and incorporating essential oils that meet the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and innovation.
Whether you’re formulating a skincare line, creating natural cleaning solutions, or exploring aromatherapy, essential oils are a bridge between nature and science to deliver functional benefits to your formulations.
Please note that the views/opinions expressed in this blog are solely our own. It is the responsibility of our clients to conduct the necessary testing to substantiate any claims and ensure compliance with industry standards for every ingredient. We will not accept any liability for claims made based on our content.
