The organic orange tree and its flower in cosmetics
The orange tree, in addition to its fruits, is appreciated for the virtues of its leaves and its flowers.
The bitter orange tree, also called bigaradier or Seville orange tree, is a shrub of 10 m on average, native of India and China.
The culinary uses of the fruit of this plant are of course diverse and well known. The fruit also gives an essential oil obtained from the peel.
In cosmetics, a few drops of bitter orange essential oil can be added to your shampoo to help normalize oily hair. Bitter orange essential oil can also be used by diluting a drop in your face cream to fight against seborrhea (oily skin). However, be careful not to expose yourself to the sun after applying this essential oil (as with any other essential oil of citrus peel).
In cosmetics, it is mainly the leaves and flowers that are used.
The essential oil of petit grain bigarade (Oleum petitgrain) is obtained by distillation of the twigs and leaves of the bigarade tree. It is used in beauty products for tired and dull skin to help it regenerate.
Bitter orange flowers are small and white. With thick petals, they give off a very strong fragrance. The flowers give a rare and precious essential oil obtained either by enfleurage or by steam distillation.
The enfleurage process uses a fatty substance as a vector. The essence thus obtained is still called neroli (Oleum neroli or Oleum aurantiflorum). Neroli is used in the composition of many perfumes, and many great names in French perfumery claim this essence.
Orange blossom water is a by-product of obtaining the essential oil.
This floral water is traditionally used for its soothing properties for the mind and its ability to promote sleep in nervous people.
Externally, it is toning for the skin and gives it radiance.