We all know that the skin's turnover cycle is 28 days. However, after the age of 25, the body's metabolism slows down, extending the time it takes to repair skin issues overnight.

While we cannot defy nature's laws, skincare products become a savior for women, providing external support and enhancement.

Skin aging is an inevitable physiological process influenced by the natural decline in skin cell functions, nutritional deficiencies, and unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation. Although we can't alter aging due to genetics, proactive skin care can delay its effects.

In modern times, skincare has evolved into a science. Rather than blindly purchasing cosmetics to tackle skin problems, people seek tailored skincare advice from dermatologists. As society's focus on health intensifies and dermatology advances, medically-backed skincare products, prioritizing safety and effectiveness, have become an unstoppable trend.

With more emphasis on skincare quality and safety, experts delve deeper into understanding skin structure and physiology, refining cosmetic research for targeted, reliable, and competitive products.

When discussing skincare, aromatherapy skincare products come to mind. Hydrosols' primary utility is moisture retention. While essential oils evoke images of plant extraction, natural elements, and safety, coupled with aromatic scents, expectations must be realistic. What truly are essential oils? Are they safer and better than regular skincare products? Let's delve into the world of essential oils.

Essential oils are extracted from various parts of plants using distillation methods, settling atop hydrosols after cooling. Unlike typical plant oils, they primarily comprise volatile small molecular compounds derived from plant secondary metabolites, including terpenes, nitrogenous compounds, and phenolic compounds.

Genuine essential oils undergo chromatographic analysis. For instance, standard Bulgarian rose essential oil, obtained from 300 roses, contains constituents like geraniol, phenylethanol, linalool, nerol, benzaldehyde, and citronellal, all classified as fragrances in CAS.

Consequently, individuals sensitive or averse to fragrances in cosmetics may need to avoid using essential oils or hydrosol-based products.

Presently, the aromatherapy market is quite chaotic. Claims of miraculous hydrosol and essential oil benefits abound, including anti-wrinkle and acne reduction. However, incorporating essential oils or various plant extracts into cosmetics must adhere to cosmetic ingredient regulations. There is no definitive, research-backed evidence on the efficacy of essential oil products.

Most products on the market containing essential oil components or selling essential oil products primarily focus on sales. Furthermore, many essential oil products are homemade and lack standardization, hence the recommendation against direct use as skincare.

Therefore, using essential oils should primarily be regarded as a form of moisturizing skincare, akin to regular oil-based skincare, rather than excessively pursuing functions like acne reduction, spot fading, or wrinkle reduction.

Essential oils, being plant-based oils with small molecular components, possess better absorption by the skin due to the skin's high lipophilicity over hydrophilicity. However, enhanced skin absorption of essential oils may not always be beneficial.

The skin's crucial barrier function prevents external irritants from entering. With their smaller molecular size, essential oils more easily pierce the skin's stratum corneum. While this might not be an issue for healthy skin, it could be more irritating for individuals with compromised skin barriers, skin sensitivities, or existing skin injuries.

In the realm of skincare, understanding the dynamics between natural aging processes and the efficacy of various products is an ongoing journey. While skincare offers avenues to nurture and support skin health, especially in our changing biology, it's essential to approach it with a balanced perspective. Embracing the evolving science of skincare empowers us to make informed choices, ensuring not just the pursuit of beauty but also the holistic health of our skin.