How Terpenes Can Be Part of Your Skincare Routine

Terpenes have garnered a lot of attention in various industries, and one of them is the cosmetics world. Throughout the years, cosmetic and beauty products have explored the benefits of terpenes to the skin.  Because of this, terpene-infused products have been out on the market. Take a simple look at the ingredients, and you’ll find several essential oils from various plants. These oils contain terpenes, giving them distinct fragrances that often lure people into using the products. Beyond the fragrance, terpenes have remarkable effects on the skin on Your Skincare Routine because of their benefits, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They help reduce blemishes and keep the skin plump. 

What are terpenes?

When you walk into a room and catch a distinct smell of a plant, you have terpenes to thank for that. From herbs to trees to fruits, the scent of plants comes from the aromatic compounds that are terpenes. 

Terpenes are essential to the survival of plants, as they drive away animals, insects, and germs. Therefore, they are essential to the plant’s immune system, primarily because they aid the healing process of the plant. Aside from protection, these compounds attract pollinators.

Terpenes can be bioactive, so the human body reacts to them. And this reaction can be positive, providing humans with excellent health benefits—enough for it to incorporate terpenes in perfumes, teas, oils, beauty products, etc.

What makes a good skincare routine?

A good skincare routine is one that is curated for your skin type and skin concerns. What works for you may not work for another person. On top of this, several factors come into play: genetics, lifestyle, habits, etc. But building a skincare routine does big wonders for your skin—both in the present and the future.

You might have heard of the 10-step skincare routine, but before you incorporate it into your regimen, you should have the basics laid down first. You need to find the best cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen for your skin. These three will be the foundation of your routine.

So, you should be all set once you’ve perfected these three. A cleanser removes all the debris, oil, and dirt that could clog your pores. Next, a moisturizer hydrates your skin and increases skin elasticity, making it plumper and more radiant. Lastly, don’t skip the sunscreen, as it helps reduce the risk of skin cancer as well as reduces signs of aging and pigmentation.

Once you have the essentials down, you can add toner, serums, ampoules, eye creams, and other products that target your skin concerns. Remember, though, that the results will take time to show. It helps to add one product at a time to easily keep track of the products that work and don’t work. You might end up finding out that your skin loves having lesser steps in the routine—and that’s fine.

Common Terpenes in Skincare Products

Try reading the label of your beauty products. You will be surprised by how many terpene-infused skincare products are there. They usually come in extracts and oils, and they often give fragrance to the product. Some of them that you may find are already in your products are the following:

• Linalool is responsible for the scent of lavender. This terpene is common in aromatherapy, as it gives a calming effect. It is also anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidepressant, among other things.

• Limonene is probably the one you’re most familiar with. Every time you smell citrus out of fruits like lemon and orange, that’s become of limonene. This terpene is antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiviral.

• Camphene has a camphor-like smell. It treats skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Camphene is anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.

• Nerol smells like roses with a citrus touch, making it a popular terpene in the fragrance industry. Aside from its fresh smell, nerol is known to be anti-bacterial. It is present in a lot of essential oils.

• Pinene has a woody, pine-like aroma. It’s also a bit cooling, making it a good anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial terpene. For people who need to experience full-body relaxation, this terpene is for them.

• Humulene has an earthy, woody smell as well. It’s also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and an analgesic. You can find this in sage, ginseng, and coriander.

• Bisabolol has a floral, earthy, and woody smell. One of its sources is chamomile, so this terpene is great for relaxation—among many other benefits.
• Myrcene is sweet, minty, and leafy. It is analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Myrcene is beneficial for people experiencing sleep disorders, as it has sedative effects. It’s also a muscle relaxant that aids in alleviating pain and discomfort in the body.

How to Use Terpenes in Skincare

Now, how will these terpenes help the skin? How can they be part of the skincare routine? Essential oils, for example, are commonly present in the ingredient lists of cosmetic products. In terms of skincare, topical products, vitamins and supplements, and essential oils can be part of your daily beauty regimen.

Topical

Most of the skincare products people know are topical. These products are creams, serums, oils, and the like that are applied to the skin. Then, the skin absorbs the ingredients in these products to let them do their magic. Topical treatments cover a wide range of skin issues such as dry skin, eczema, signs of aging, and other blemishes. 

The skin quickly absorbs some terpenes, but the rate of absorption may vary depending on the medium used by the product. For example, linalool best works in the form of oil, hydrogel, and emulsion-based formulas.

So, the effectivity rates of terpenes in topical products may vary. Knowing the differences of each terpene will give you an idea of how to use it in your skincare routine. It pays to do some research or consult an expert to help you determine the right terpenes for your skin.

Vitamins and supplements

Terpenes are gaining more attention in the medical world, especially with their rising popularity. As a result, more and more research is being conducted on their uses and benefits. The subject to certain studies surrounds terpenes in vitamins and supplements.

While manufacturers have been facing challenges in adding terpenes to supplements, they have found positive changes in technology that help them overcome them. Terpene profiles are volatile, so they must be handled carefully during extraction and manufacturing. To solve this problem, manufacturers are working on machines and methods to keep terpene profiles consistent throughout the process.

Vitamins and supplements in your skincare routine give a huge boost to the body’s largest organ. They aid in the prevention and healing of skin problems. Taking essential vitamins also helps reduce blemishes, restores the skin, and keeps the skin healthy.

Essential oils

As the room fills with the fragrance using an essential oil, you feel your body relax. Maybe you meditate a little or put on some calming music. Maybe you light up some candles—also lavender or another relaxing scent. All these are thanks to terpenes and their impressive relaxing properties.

The kind of essential oil you should include in your skincare routine should depend on your skin type. Dry skin would love lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood. Oily skin benefits from clary sage, rosemary, and neroli have properties that help with sebum production. Acne-prone skin may find tea tree oil soothing, as it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that calm down breakouts.

Take note that some essential oils can be harsh for the skin. Essential oils are made by extracting the oils from plants, and they can be potent. Some skincare products contain formulations that have concentrated amounts of essential oils. These products can irritate the skin and cause damage. The potency of essential oils is something to look out for, especially for people with sensitive skin.

Your skin should not react to whatever you put on your skin. Otherwise, you should consult with a dermatologist to give you professional advice and prescribe a better option.

The Key Takeaways

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in plants. They give plants, herbs, and flowers their distinct smells. When extracted, they can be used for various products, including cosmetics. Each terpene also has a set of benefits, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

These benefits are added to the skincare routine when they are infused into skincare products. When applied topically, the skin can absorb them, depending on the medium of the products. The skin can enjoy the magic of terpenes through these products, so it’s about time to make terpenes a part of your skincare routine.