The Dirt:
The oil of the bitter orange appears a safe and nourishing natural essential oil that continues to creep into the cosmetics sector. According to the U.S. government unit National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, topical uses of neroli, the oil derived from the bitter orange flower, include fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. According to the company site AromaWeb, neroli essential oil can also be used topically for maturing and aging skin, scars and stretch marks. Among the many cosmetics brands using neroli are L’Occitane, haircare line John Masters Organics, The Body Shop, Malin & Goetz and Laura Mercier, among others. However, we prefer a few recent skincare products with neroli and other essential oils and roots to nourish skin.

British skincare company Liz Earle Beauty offers a great night skin treatment called Superskin Concentrate with neroli, rosehip and argan oils with a touch of lavender, chamomile and natural vitamin E for a soothing oil that moisturizes overnight. The added bonus is knowing Liz Earle products are created with earth-friendly cosmetics curators in mind, with a background in botany.

Also from the United Kingdom, REN offers a variety of exotic skincare items for the face and body, with widespread acclaim from many celebrities. The biggest appeal of REN is the seal on their products that shows they have no sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic colors and fragrances, and silicon items. The neroli and grapefruit body wash with bergamot fruit water and other natural citruses is a delicately scented shower gel that cleans without drying and would appease even those averse to citrus scents.

California-based In Fiore announced a new high resonance water-based face product called Crème de Fleur, which appears an amazing concoction of acids, minerals, proteins and vitamins. In Fiore claims that the base of high resonance water enables better absorption of the ingredients into the skin cells. Aside from common ingredients such as shea butter, safflower and avocado oils, and green tea infusion, it features marshmallow root and calendula infusions to treat inflammation; borage seed oil to treat swelling and skin conditions including dermatitis; cell rebirth promotion by the growing element of sea buckthorn, and of course neroli to aid healing among dry and aging skin.

While consumers grow more and more educated, we encourage readers to review labels and ingredients listed on cosmetics and skincare packages as they do on food boxes. This is necessary as food is more regulated than cosmetics. It is up to the consumer to determine how safe these products are because though we don’t ingest them, we absorb them. We feel safe recommending these three items but as always, we leave the decision in your hands.

Where:
The 1-ounce superskin Concentrate is $70. Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is available at STUDIO Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Califnoria, and at Brown’s Apothecary in Miami, Florida. For more information on Liz Earle products, visit the Liz Earle website. REN mini body set is $26.50 for a travel-size set of Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash, Damask Rose Ramnose Biosaccharide Body Cream, Neroli and Grapefruit Zest Body Wash and Grapeseed Jojoba and Shea Butter Body Cream. For more on REN products or to purchase products,
visit the REN Website.
A 1.67-ounce jar of In Fiore Crème de Fleur retails for $150. For more information on In Fiore products or to purchase items, visit the In Fiore Website.