Ingredient Quality is Everything

NOT ALL INGREDIENTS ARE CREATED EQUALLY

There is a critical and crucial difference between primary (first) plant extracts - whether they are oils, essential oils or whole plant - and extracts which are from further down the extraction chain. Take, for example, an olive oil. The first cold press (extra virgin) extraction of those olives is the highest quality oil possible. That is because all of the vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial phyto-chemicals are still intact. Each subsequent extraction of those same olives, results in an oil with fewer and fewer of these beneficial properties. Once high heat and solvents are applied in order to squeeze out the last drops of oil, there are hardly, if any, nutrients remaining at all.

The analogy of olive oil extraction holds true for every plant extract and essential oil on the market. The only extracts which have antioxidant, anti inflammatory and nutritional benefits are the first extracts. These extracts, when used in cosmetics or supplements, are usually referred to as therapeutic or medical quality.

Most of the oils and plant extracts sold to the cosmetic industry are high heat and solvent extracted (otherwise known as refined). This is because these types of ingredients are very inexpensive. In fact, the largest purchaser of yellow grease (refined post consumer frier oil) is the cosmetic industry!

The high heat and solvents used to extract or refine oils also alters their molecular structure, resulting in a large oil molecule which does not absorb readily into the skin. These oils tend to “sit” on the skinʼs surface and clog pores. Applying these kinds of oils to the skin on a regular basis can result in a build-up of toxins and can lead to acne and premature skin aging.

Raw first cold pressed oils penetrate the skin rapidly, imparting all of their nutrients to repair and restore skin health. The same holds true of other plant extracts and essential oils. If it is not the first plant extract, then it is an ingredient only in name.