beauty
April 29, 2024

Citrus fruits: beauty activists for the skin and hair

Awake-maker and nerve-saver

Citrus fruits and winter belong together like Rudolph, the reindeer, and Santa Claus, which is quite banal because in the European orchards on the Mediterranean from November to March is the main harvest time. The first oranges that arrived in Germany over 100 years ago were also popularly called "Christmas apples".

A beautiful gift of nature is that the pachyderms have real beauty benefits among the fruits. So-called secondary plant ingredients (flavonoids) and especially vitamin C are excellent cell protectors and thus a favorite of the anti-aging industry, the fruit acid in turn is often used in exfoliating lotions, because it gently removes loose scales of skin. Not to be despised is also the scent of the exotics: Aromatherapists praise them as awake-makers and nerve-savers alike, and in many perfumes they are stuck in the slightly volatile top note, conveying a feeling of space, freshness, warmth. Peel an orange, the room already fills itself with the sun's aroma on the darkest winter evening. Incidentally, the coveted essential oils hide in the shell and are obtained by pressing. Those who use them in the fragrance lamp or as a self-made cosmetic additive should therefore use oils from controlled organic fruits (eg from Primavera).

You should not apply essential oils directly on the skin as they can irritate. Fragrance allergy best pay attention to the packaging information: From a certain amount of the active ingredient limonene must be awarded according to EU Regulation. But there are also good things under the shell: the white, soft fibers (pectin) are dietary fiber, which keeps the feeling of fullness longer. You may not like "white" food, but you can cook it with jams. And in order to get to know the family of the rhododendrons, which include the citrus fruits, a little better, here are the beautiful sisters ...

Orange - the brave

In the rush of orange from the ten-meter tower jumped into the pool? In theory, this is possible, after all, a Brazilian research team has found that rats given orange oil in the cage air were significantly bolder in behavioral tests. It has also been proven that the essential oil has a mood-enhancing and balancing effect and can thus help against winter depressions. Scent researcher Prof. Dr. med. Dr. Hans Hatt also found out several years ago that orange fragrance makes for much more positive dreams. In the world's most citrus-grown citrus, so too is the good-mood fragrance number 1. In addition, orange oil has an antiseptic effect and stimulates blood circulation.

Our wellness tip: a pampering bath with orange flavor. If you want to take an essential oil, you should first stir it in honey or milk, otherwise it floats on the water surface and can irritate the skin. Comfortable alternative: add a pre-mixed orange bath to the bath (eg bubble bath "Orange Blossom" by Compagnie de Provence).

There is Orange in it: z. Shower gel "Orange Flower & Lychee" by Kiehl's; Perfume "Cèdre & Oranger" by L'Occitane; Shower Oil "Fortune Oil, Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood" by Rituals; Fragrance series "Eau D'Energie" by Biotherm.

Lemon - the Caring

Mostly, the essence of the yellow fruit goes through the stomach today - the world's largest consumer of lemon oil is Coca-Cola. Why? Probably, because true to the old sense of taste rule sour just stimulates, fresh and lively. Of course, this also applies to the little sister of the lemon, the lime, which is very similar in its effect. By the way, it helps to sniff at lemons to wake up, aromatherapists know, and in Japan it has been found that the aroma essence even helps to stay healthy. So you could reduce the sickness rate by almost half by scented offices with lemon oil, which just like the other citrus oils also strongly antiseptic. The fruit acid of the lemon, however, is the most concentrated. It has a slightly astringent (astringent) effect and, for example, smoothes the cuticle of the hair in a conditioner. Its fir-cone-like structure is roughened quickly in the winter by shoveling scarves and hats; but if it lies flat again after the "lemon rind", the light is better reflected - and the hair shines!

Nice with lemon: z. B. Shine for hair "Huile scintillante corps et cheveux" by Sothys; Hairgel "Citrus" by Marc Booten; Oily skin facial fluid "Mango + Citrus" from Skinbio; Bodylotion "Citron Citron" by Miller Harris.

Bergamot - the gentle ones

Anyone who sips Earl Gray tea or opens a "4711" bottle will immediately notice it: the delicate, fresh scent of bergamot. The essential oil of the green-yellow fruit - which is believed to be a hybrid of bitter orange and lemon - acts according to studies by Milan aromatherapist Prof. Dr. med. Paolo Rovesti regulating on the nervous system. The fragrance can calm, cheer and relax at the same time, which is why it can also help with difficulty concentrating or a little winter blues. In many perfumes, such as the famous "Eau de Cologne", bergamot is often taken for its slightly bitter freshness. In addition to rose, iris, tonka beans, vanilla and jasmine, it even belongs to the famous "Guerlinade", which appears like a kind of fragrance stamp of perfume house Guerlain in all its classic fragrances.

Exude the scent of bergamot: z. B. "4711" cologne water; Body spray "Eau des bienfaits" by Roger & Gallet; "Jicky" by Guerlain; "Nursing Shower Mint Bergamot" by Alverde; Perfume "See by Chloé" by Chloé.

Grapefruit - the adolescent

Of course the woman is young, but so young? How much the fragrance of this bitter citrus fruit obscures the senses, was shown in a study by the American odor researcher Alan B. Hirsch a few years ago: men who sniffed the scent of Pink Grapefruit, then estimated women about six years younger. After that, perfumes were booming with Pink Grapefruit (eg "Pink Grapefruit Eau de Toilette" by The Bodyshop). The cross between grapefruit and orange obviously mobilizes the endorphins. Even though the perfume market has calmed down a bit: the grapefruit has it all. For example, the bitter substance naringin contained in it is partly responsible for the fact that certain substances, such as caffeine, have an increased effect, but some drugs absorbed through the intestines are less pronounced. This works according to a study by the American physician Dr. Ken Fujioko, of all people, is the thickest of the citrus fruits as a slimming agent because it lowers insulin in the blood and prevents hunger from returning so quickly. In addition, the bitterness naringin stimulates the liver activity, thus helping to better digest biscuit and goose leg.

Put on grapefruit: z. B. Perfume "Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune" by Guerlain; Deodorant "Feel Fresh" by Duschdas.

Mandarin - the sweetie

"Tree, which one only needs to shake, so that the luck comes", so the Mandarinenbaum in its Chinese homeland canton is called. The soft-sweet scent is a little retro, awakens childhood memories and a feeling of security. Bathing warmly or taking a shower with a tangerine supplement is a good way to relax - also for the little ones. Because the oil is so popular with those, it is also called "child oil", and a few drops on the pillow should even help against school stress.

With tangerine: z. "Acqua Colonia Mandarin & Cardamom" of 4711; Shower bath "recovery & regeneration" with tangerine & orange oil from Tetesept; Shower gel "Mandarine kisses lemongrass" by Duschdas; Perfume "Eau de mandarine ambrée" by Hermès; "Shine Hair Spray Mandarin" by Marc Booten.