Latin Name: Euphorbia cerifera

Description: Candelilla wax, a ¼ inch light yellow hard, brittle flake is a natural vegetable wax, hand collected from the leaves of the small Candelilla shrub, native to the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. This wax is used in many vegan body care products as an animal-friendly substitute for beeswax.

Largest Producing Countries: Mexico, United States (Texas)

Scent: Flat

Properties: Candelilla wax is formed as an outer coating on the leaves of the Candelilla shrub and acts as a protecting agent to retain moisture and help keep the plant alive. Once separated from the plant, the wax is most often used along with other waxes to help harden them without raising their boiling points or as a food additive/glazing element. The melting point of candelilla wax is between 155 and 160 degrees F.

Products that Use Candelilla Wax: Vegan Butter Bar, Eco Baby Botanical’s Herbal Baby Bottom Balm

image via Wikipedia

Latin Name: Citrus bergamia

Family: Rutaceae

Description: Bergamot is named after the city of Bergamo, Italy where most of its trade originated. The tree can grow up to 13 feet tall and bears small, inedible (because they are sour and bitter) citrus fruits. Bergamot essential oil is expressed from the peel of the almost-ripe fruit. It takes about one hundred fruits to make 3 ounces of essential oil.

Countries of origin: Italy, Mediterranean countries and United States (California)

Scent: Bergamot has sweet, lemony top notes with warm, floral and spicy undertones. It blends well with other florals and citruses. Some may recognize the scent as it is used in Earl Grey Tea.

Properties: Bergamot is called a ‘sunny’ essential oil and may help to reduce anxiety, depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The oil is cheering, calming and uplifting. Bergamot oil is also the go-to essential oil for treating urinary tract infections because it has antiseptic properties. Some also use it to regulate appetite or in facial creams to help with oily skin and acne.

Precautions: Do not use if you have very sensitive skin. With any new product, always test a small amount for skin sensitivity or allergic reaction. Do not use any essential oils undiluted on the skin.

Phototoxicity: Bergamot oil may cause photosensitivity, which means it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight or tanning beds after using products containing phototoxic ingredients can lead to irritation. It is best to avoid exposure to strong sunlight or tanning bed rays for 24 hours after using products containing this essential oil.

Vintage Body Spa products containing Bergamot Oil: Our Whipped Sugar Scrub in Lavender Bergamot is a calming blend of these two wonderful essential oils.

Remember, the FDA has not evaluated the above statements. No claims are made regarding any medicinal value of bergamot oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

We at Vintage Body Spa seek to make our products as naturally as possible while continuing to provide a variety of wonderful scents from which our customers can choose. Scents can be added to products via essential oils or fragrance oils. Following is a brief discussion of the differences between the two, why we use both and our plans for scenting our products in the future.

Essential oils aren’t truly oils, but they’re the essence of plants that have usually been steam distilled. They are 100% pure and natural, and very concentrated. Because of their purity and concentration, essential oils are typically more expensive than fragrance oils.

Often essential oils are used by themselves to scent products, but combining essential oils can create wonderful blends as well. Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat a variety of mental, emotional and physical ailments. They are completely safe when used properly. For instance, lavender essential oil in distilled water can make a refreshing spray that serves to relax and encourage restful slumber. Though they are completely natural, care must always be taken and each essential oil should be researched thoroughly prior to its use, as the use of some are explicitly discouraged with certain medical conditions or pregnancy.

On the other hand, fragrance oils (also called aromatic oils) are synthetic. They are man-made in a laboratory. They are used to create scents that either cannot come from plants or to create scent blends that are less expensive than essential oils. Fragrance oils cannot be used as natural remedies, and some people may have allergic reactions to fragrance oils.

While we want to offer a wide variety of scents for our customers to choose from, we also want to continue evolving as an eco-friendly company. So we have decided that any new scents that are released in the future will be made only from essential oils. We are confident that you’ll continue to be happy with our scent offerings and we’ll be happy knowing that we’re offering the most natural products for you to enjoy.

We love feedback and answering questions, so feel free to post your thoughts and questions on fragrance and/or essential oils and we’ll be happy to answer them.