What Are Terpenes in Skin Care?

If you’ve heard of terpenes, there’s a good chance you are associating them with weed. Cannabis plants contain high levels of terpenes, which is what gives marijuana (and hemp) its smelly smell. But the humble cannabis isn’t the only plant that has a whole host of terpenes associated with it. Most plants contain terpenes, which are responsible for the intense smells created by things like lavender, pine needles, lemons, and the like.

But do we need them in our skin care products? In the recent past, boutique skin care brands have seen a boom, all of which promise new and creative ways to care for our skin. And recently, we’ve been seeing a lot of new skin care buzz about products that contain terpenes.

We spoke to Ginger Mollo, Chief Integration Officer and GM at Fifth and Root (a skin care company that uses terpenes in its formulations) to get the 411.

Where do we usually find terpenes?

If you run to your medicine cabinet and read a few packs, how do you know which products contain terpenes? If you’ve got something that contains essential oils: bingo. Terpenes are “the main compounds in essential oils, which means that essential oils are basically made up of many individual terpenes,” says Mollo.

But lest you think that there are only a few major terpenes out there, Mollo clarifies, “There are thousands of different terpenes, each with its own olfactory and flavor composition.” Terpenes are responsible for “giving plants their unique scents and protective properties that are essential for a plant’s survival,” adds Mollo.

Why Are Terpenes Good For Skin Care?

We’re always trying to find products that will improve our skin, and terpenes are reportedly very adept at doing just that. “Terpenes not only promote the benefits of other botanicals and improve skin penetration,” says Mollo, “they are also known to have extremely powerful and beneficial effects on our physical bodies and mental and emotional wellbeing.”

Mollo names a handful of these effects, including “brain health, cancer-fighting skills, and mood-enhancing effects that aid a life of high spirits.”

How does the entourage effect affect skin care?

You may have come across the entourage effect theory, which states that various cannabinoids and terpenes are more effective when taken with other cannabis compounds. Or in Mollo’s words: “Cannabinoids and terpenes work best together.”

So if you’re looking to upgrade your skincare routine with some terpenic action, finding a formula that has some CBD in it is a good idea. “Whole plant extractions typically contain CBD, THC and more than 400 trace elements,” says Mollo.

“The entourage effect suggests a synergistic relationship between active ingredients like cannabinoids and terpenes, and suggests that their relationship leads to better benefits than if they were used alone,” adds Mollo.

What terpenes are commonly used in skin care products?

When you go back to that medicine cabinet, you might be surprised to find some common terpenes already lingering in your products – and on your face. Examples for this are:

• LinaloolFound in “lavender, citrus, mint, cinnamon, and birch,” says Mollo. This is “anti-inflammatory and relieves anxiety and stress”.
• The D-limoneneFound in citrus that Mollo says can fight bacteria and stimulate the immune system.
• Camphene, from – you guessed it – camphor trees, which “help relieve pain, support heart health, and are uplifting,” says Mollo.
• Nerole, which Mollo says is found in “Bitter Orange and Orange Blossom” can aid in “skin rejuvenation, reducing scars and stretch marks, and reducing stress and anxiety”.

Why are terpenes becoming more and more common in skin care?

Terpenes, it seems, have been patiently waiting for their time in the sun – but they have always been there, quietly helping with skin care all the time. “Terpenes have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and can even help control sebum levels in the skin,” says Mollo.

What is the future of terpenes in skin care?

“People want skin care products that feel good, make their skin look good, and products that smell good and make them feel good,” says Mollo. “Fortunately, terpenes can help with all of this.”

As terpenes move their way off the wings and into focus in skin care, Mollo suspects you will hear more about them in the future. “As people start learning more about the beneficial effects of terpenes, they look to terpene skin care products,” says Mollo.

The next time you notice that your CBD muscle cream or moisturizer is fortified with lavender, neroli, or bergamot, note: your product does a double job and that pleasant smell isn’t just for your nose. We’ll keep this in mind the next time we think about going for the fragrance-free option.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/28/what-are-terpenes-in-skin-care/