What you should know about essential oils

Essential oils have beneficial properties, but can irritate sensitive skin. Learn how they work, what risks they pose, and why at myrto we consciously avoid essential oils in our facial care products and instead rely on fragrance-free alternatives.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are highly volatile, strongly fragrant compounds extracted from plant parts such as flowers, leaves, or peels by steam distillation or cold pressing. They contain a complex mixture of several hundred individual substances, including monoterpenes, phenols, and aldehydes—substances with extremely potent effects.

The effect of essential oils

Antibacterial and antiviral properties (e.g. tea tree oil, thyme oil)
Calming or mood-enhancing effects via the limbic system (e.g. lavender, bergamot)
Promotes blood circulation and wound healing (e.g. rosemary oil, chamomile)

Risks in facial care

Facial skin is particularly sensitive, permeable, and exposed to environmental irritants on a daily basis. Essential oils can have undesirable effects here:

Skin irritation and redness caused by reactive substances
Allergic reactions, especially with repeated contact
Photosensitization (e.g. with citrus oils → increased sensitivity to light)
Increased barrier weakness in sensitive skin

Why we at myrto do not use essential oils in facial care

Our facial care is:

100% fragrance-free – without essential oils, perfume or allergens that require declaration – instead, the natural scent of active ingredient-rich, cold-pressed plant oils and extracts
Free from irritating additives such as alcohol, emulsifiers or preservatives
Designed for sensitive skin types , allergy sufferers and people with skin diseases

Instead of fragrance, we rely on functional bioactive ingredients such as ectoin, niacinamide, zinc PCA or beta-glucan.

Essential oils in hair and body care – naturally effective and sensibly dosed

While we consistently avoid essential oils in facial care, we use them specifically and responsibly in body and hair care:

Sebum-regulating (e.g. rosemary oil, sage oil)
Promotes blood circulation (e.g. grapefruit oil, lemongrass oil)
Soothing for the scalp (e.g. lavender oil, palmarosa oil)
Antimicrobial (e.g. tea tree oil, myrtle oil)
Naturally fragrant – free from synthetic perfumes

All essential oils in our skin and hair care products are certified organic and naturally pure. The concentration is low to avoid skin irritation.

FAQ: Essential oils in skin care

Are essential oils generally bad for the skin?

No, they can have antimicrobial or soothing effects. However, in facial care, they pose a high risk of irritation and allergy—especially on sensitive skin.

Which essential oils are particularly irritating?

Citrus oils (e.g., bergamot, lemon peel) can have photosensitizing effects. Tea tree, clove, and cinnamon oil contain aggressive phenols and are particularly potential irritants.

Why doesn't myrto use essential oils in facial care?

Because we want to guarantee maximum tolerance and skin protection. Essential oils pose a risk of irritation and allergies, especially on sensitive skin.

Are fragrance-free products less effective?

No. Our products contain highly effective, functional natural ingredients such as ectoine, zinc PCA, and beta-glucan—all without fragrances or potential irritants.