Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius.
Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam.
Molecules. 2021 Jan 27;26(3):666. doi: 10.3390/molecules26030666.
Fragrance is an integral part of cosmetic products and is often regarded as an overriding factor in the selection of cosmetics among consumers. Fragrances also play a considerable role in masking undesirable smells arising from fatty acids, oils and surfactants that are commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Essential oils are vital assets in the cosmetic industry, as along with imparting pleasant aromas in different products, they are able to act as preservatives and active agents and, simultaneously, offer various benefits to the skin. Moreover, the stimulating demand for natural ingredients has contributed massively to a renewed interest in cosmetic and wellness industries in plant derivatives, especially essential oils. This has led popular cosmetic companies to endorse natural fragrances and opt for minimally processed natural ingredients, given the potentially adverse health risks associated with artificial fragrance chemicals, which are major elements of cosmetics. Among the high-valued essential oils used as fragrances are citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree and other floral oils, among others, while linalool, geraniol, limonene, citronellol, and citral are much-appreciated fragrance components used in different cosmetics. Thus, this review aimed to highlight the enormous versatility of essential oils as significant sources of natural fragrances in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Moreover, a special focus will be laid on the different aspects related to essential oils such as their sources, market demand, chemistry, fragrance classification, aroma profile, authenticity and safety.
香味是化妆品不可或缺的一部分，通常被认为是消费者选择化妆品的首要因素。香精在掩盖脂肪酸、油和表面活性剂等常见于化妆品配方中的异味方面也起着相当大的作用。精油是化妆品行业的重要资产，因为它们不仅能在不同的产品中赋予宜人的香气，还能起到防腐剂和活性剂的作用，同时为皮肤提供各种益处。此外，对天然成分的旺盛需求极大地促进了人们对植物衍生产品（特别是精油）在化妆品和健康行业的重新关注。这导致一些受欢迎的化妆品公司支持天然香料，并选择经过最少加工的天然成分，因为与人工香料化学品相关的潜在健康风险是化妆品的主要成分。作为香料使用的高价值精油包括柑橘、薰衣草、桉树、茶树和其他花卉油等，而芳樟醇、香叶醇、柠檬烯、香茅醇和柠檬醛等则是不同化妆品中常用的备受赞赏的香料成分。因此，本综述旨在强调精油作为化妆品和美容产品中天然香料的重要来源的巨大多功能性。此外，还将特别关注精油的不同方面，如其来源、市场需求、化学性质、香料分类、香气特征、真实性和安全性。
