Immortelle, Helichrysum Essential Oil: A Powerful Combination of Healing, Nourishment and Anti-Aging In One

Spring and summer means more time spent outdoors soaking up the sunlight, enjoying the warmer weather and slowing down a bit to take in all Mother Nature has to offer.

Yet the change of seasons can bring plenty of skin care woes. Increased humidity can attribute to clogged pores along with cause an increase in oily skin and acne, while an increase in outdoor irritants can lead to rashes and eczema flares, as well as redness and inflammation that make fine lines and wrinkles seem more pronounced.  

When it comes to skin care, you already know that natural, organic and simple ingredients are the key to optimize the skin barrier, balance the microbiome (the 100 trillion microbes, or microorganisms that live in our bodies and on our skin) and nourish skin with the phytonutrients it needs to have a clear, healthy glow.

While some simple skincare ingredients are known for only one property—say, as an exfoliant, for example—there are some that are powerful, potent, and multi-tasking agents that target multiple skin issues, nourish skin, and restore balance all at the same time.

Immortelle is one of those ingredients and an ancient, timeless, powerhouse that we love and recommend.

Immortelle: a powerful skin healer rooted in tradition

Immortelle, also known as helichrysum, is derived from the Greek helios, or sun and chryos, or gold.  

A perennial plant that belongs to the sunflower family, immortelle grows about 8 inches high. Bursting with a bright yellow hue, its round blossoms grow in clusters, or cymes, and never wither, which is why immortelle is commonly referred to as an everlasting flower. Immortelle also means immortal in French.

Native to the Mediterranean region in countries like Spain, Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina, there may be as many as 600 species of immortelle that grow in the world today. The most common species of immortelle used to make helichrysum essential oil include H. angustifolium, H. italicum (our fav!), H. stoechas2 , H. gymnocephalum, H. plicatum, H. arenarium, H. decumbens, and H. graveolens.

Although helichrysum essential oil has been made from immortelle for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, surprisingly, it’s relatively new to aromatherapy, only appearing in essential oil catalogs after the 1980’s.  

Today immortelle via helichrysum essential oil is known as a multi-tasking ingredient that protects, prevents, heals and regenerates skin to its natural beauty.

Immortelle is made up of alkaloids, carotenes, flavonoids, and tannins, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound-healing properties and also work as a powerful astringent.

Let’s take a closer look at the amazing benefits of immortelle

Anti-inflammatory

Immortelle is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, according to a 2003 study in the Journal of Aromatherapy, immortelle calms inflammation, making it a great choice for irritation and redness.

Herbalists have traditionally used the herb in tincture form or as a fluid extract to heal wounds, cuts, abrasions and scars. This makes immortelle particularly useful for speeding up healing—think red marks caused by acne.

Anti-bacterial

Studies show immortelle can help fight off harmful bacteria.

According to a 2008 study in the journal Methods in Molecular Medicine, the use of H. italicum essential oil effectively reduced antibiotic treatment for multi-drug resistant bacteria.

As a result, immortelle can fight off bacteria on the skin and could help prevent breakouts without drying or irritation.

Supports Graceful Aging

With its combination of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiallergenic properties, immortelle is a powerful support for graceful aging.

Immortelle promotes new, healthy skin cell growth by turning over dead cells, reduces the appearance of scars, fine lines and wrinkles and prevents premature aging.

Nourishing

Research shows immortelle in essential oil form, may also contain fatty acids, which are thought to be by-products of the distillation process. Essential fatty acids are necessary for healthy skin function, and strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation and restore moisture.

Healing

Well-known for its wound-healing properties, immortelle can help speed up healing of acne or scars.

How to Use Immortelle for Skin Care

With all of its amazing skin care benefits, immortelle is a great addition to your skin care routine whether you’re looking to clear up breakouts, heal damage or restore your skin’s natural radiance.

Used as both an essential oil and hydrosol, you can find immortelle in these products:

Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist

This antioxidant-rich facial mist that uses immortelle as a hydrosol, calms inflammation, clears congestion, helps prevent breakouts, evens skin tone and protects skin from the damaging effects of the environment.

Herbal Clarifying Facial Oil

The perfect facial oil for acne-prone skin, nourishing and non-comedogenic plant oils infused with green tea and thyme combine with immortelle essential oil to reduce inflammation, heal damage and reveal a clear, calm complexion.

Vitamin C Regenerative Balm

The combination of immortelle and blue chamomile essential oils promote skin healing, reduce redness, and prevent the signs of aging. With 21 active botanicals that fight free radicals, boost collagen production and hydrate skin, your skin will be soft and glowing.

Sea Berry Balancing Facial Oil

An antioxidant-rich facial oil with sea buckthorn, sugar extract and a proprietary herbal infusion, this clarifying treatment helps keep skin clear and slows the signs of aging. The unique phytonutrient oil infusion combined with immortelle essential oil, heals, hydrates, soothes and clarifies skin.

Have questions about which product with Immortelle is right for you? Send us an email at info@apoterra.com. 

Photo credit:
Jernej Graj (woman floating)