History of botanical oils in skincare
Cold-pressed botanical oils are true treasures of nature. They have been an essential part of skin care for centuries. Their extraordinary benefits were known by ancient civilizations, and they are a key ingredient in modern cosmetics. In this article, we will look at the history of the use of botanical oils for their health and care properties.
The use of botanical oils dates back to ancient times. As far back as ancient Egypt, oils such as castor oil and sesame oil were used for skin and hair care. Cleopatra, famous for her beautiful complexion, used oil from black cumin seeds, which was considered an elixir of youth. In ancient Greece and Rome, olive oil was not only a dietary staple, but was also used for massages and body care. In India, Ayurvedic oils such as coconut oil and sandalwood oil have been part of skin care and healing rituals for centuries. These oils have been and continue to be prized for their nourishing and therapeutic properties.
Ancient civilizations
Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest sources of information on the use of botanical oils for body and hair care. The Egyptians were known for their sophisticated approach to cosmetics and hygiene. They used various oils, including castor oil, sesame oil and almond oil, for skin care, hair care and medicinal purposes. Women, such as the famous Cleopatra, used oils as part of their daily skin care routine to maintain a youthful appearance and healthy complexion. One of the oils used by this ancient queen was nigella seed oil (also known as black cumin oil), which is still considered an elixir of youth today due to its high vitamin E content. Thanks to its properties, nigella earned the nickname “gold of the pharaohs”. The Egyptians also used botanical oils to protect their skin from harsh climatic conditions. High temperatures and dry air made it easy for the skin to become damaged, so the oils served a moisturizing and protective function. Egyptians also prepared perfumes based on oils and used them in religious ceremonies.
In ancient Greece, oils played an important role in daily life, in sports and medical practices. The Greeks primarily used olive oil: not only for cooking, but also for massages and skin care. Olive oil massages were especially popular among athletes, who used them before and after workouts to improve blood circulation, relax muscles and soften skin. Olive oil was also used as a base for perfumes, a popular practice among the Greek aristocracy. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, described the healing properties of olive oil, recommending its use to treat various skin ailments and injuries. The Greeks treated olive oil as a sacred oil, often used in religious ceremonies and sacrifice rites. They believed that they owed olive oil to the goddess Athena, who gave the first olive tree to the people of Attica as a symbol of peace and satiety. In fact, modern research confirms the miraculous properties of olive oil. Thanks to its abundance of healthy fatty acids, the oil effectively helps moisturize the skin while forming a barrier on its surface that makes it difficult for water to escape. Olive oil was even called a “liquid gold” in ancient Greece and was treated as a luxury good and a cosmetic for the wealthy.
Also, in ancient China botanical oils were used in both traditional medicine and body care. Chinese traditional medicine recommended the use of various oils, such as camphor oil and sesame oil, for massages and the treatment of various health ailments. Oils were appreciated for their moisturizing, soothing and nourishing effects. They were also used as carriers for medicinal herbs. As hair and skin health were of particular importance in ancient China, botanical oils were used to maintain hair health, shine and colour. Sesame oil in particular was a popular ingredient in medicinal and skin care blends and was widely used for massage. Numerous studies today confirm that sesame oil is rich in plant sterols, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, making it widely used in modern cosmetics.
In ancient India, the use of botanical oils was deeply rooted in Ayurvedic tradition. Ayurveda, the ancient system of Indian medicine, emphasized the importance of oil massages (Abhyanga) as part of a daily health routine. Oils such as coconut oil, sesame oil, almond oil and neem (Indian honeybush oil) were used in massages not only to care for the skin, but also to improve blood circulation, strengthen the immune system and reduce stress. They were also used for inhalation, body care and therapy, treating skin lesions, dermatological problems and digestive problems with them. Oils were also used for hair care. Particularly coconut oil and amla (Indian gooseberry oil) were used to nourish hair, prevent dandruff and promote hair growth. Women and men used oils on their hair to keep it healthy, soft and shiny. Ayurvedic formulas often combined oils with various herbs and spices to enhance their healing properties.
Arab and African traditions
Also in Arab culture, botanical oils have a long and rich history of use, dating back thousands of years. The region has played an important role in the development of cosmetics and natural medicine due to its unique geographic conditions and access to a variety of plants. Oils have been used in body care, hair care, as well as for medicinal and ritual purposes. One of the most famous oils in the Arab region is argan oil, also known as “liquid gold”. The oil is native to Morocco, where argan (argania spinosa) trees grow in desert and semi-desert areas. Argan oil has been used for centuries by the Berbers for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. In skin and hair care, argan oil is valued primarily for its remarkable moisturizing, regenerating and protective properties. Nigella seed oil (black cumin), known also as “Habbatul barakah” or “seed of blessing” has gained extraordinary popularity. The Prophet Muhammad is believed to have said that nigella cures everything except death. Black cumin oil was therefore used both internally and externally for medicinal and skin care purposes. Botanical oils were also used to create perfumes and during skin care treatments in Hammams, the traditional Arab steam baths. This tradition has continued to the present day.
In African culture, the use of botanical oils for body care, hair care and medicinal purposes has deep roots and is an integral part of many traditions and rituals. The continent’s natural diversity, encompassing different climatic zones, has allowed it to develop a rich heritage in the use of oil plants. The most popular oils in this tradition are marula oil, baobab oil, shea butter derived from the seeds of the butter tree or the aforementioned argan oil. African societies have benefited from the natural riches of their environment for centuries, and botanical oils have played a key role in skin care and healing. In many African cultures, skin and hair care was and is a ritual that combines aesthetic and spiritual aspects. Botanical oils are integral to these practices, used to moisturize, protect and heal. In some African communities, oils were used to anoint newborns, which would protect them from evil spirits and disease. In wedding ceremonies, oils were used as a symbol of blessing and fertility.
Slavic tradition
In Slavic culture, too, botanical oils played an important role in body and hair care as well as healing rituals. Although far fewer written testimonies on the subject have survived compared to civilizations such as Egyptian or Greek, there is ample evidence that the Slavs used the gifts of nature, including oils, in their daily lives. Inhabiting an area rich in floral diversity, the Slavs had access to many plants from which oils could be extracted. There are indications that they used oils such as linseed oil, rapeseed oil, hemp oil and sunflower oil.
In Slavic culture, body care was often linked to rituals and ceremonies. The Slavs, who placed a high value on harmony with nature, used natural ingredients, including oils, in their daily grooming rituals. One popular Slavic custom was the use of saunas, known in some countries as “banyas”. Before entering the sauna and after leaving it, various plant oils were used to massage the body and moisturize the skin, protecting it from water loss. This was also considered a way to cleanse the body and soul. In traditional folk medicine, massages using oils and herbs were also common. Oils were mixed with various herbs to enhance their healing properties. Such practices were used to relieve pain, treat injuries and skin diseases.
One of the most popular botanical oils in the Slavic tradition was undoubtedly linseed oil. Its popularity was linked to the abundant availability of flax in the region. It was used for both culinary and cosmetic purposes. Due to its true richness in omega-3 fatty acids, it was used for skin and hair care, as well as a treatment for various skin ailments. Indeed, it is proven that flaxseed oil soothes irritation and inflammation, as well as accelerates wound healing. Hemp oil, on the other hand, was appreciated especially for its moisturizing and soothing properties. It was used for dry and irritated skin, as well as in traditional herbal preparations.
Tradition still alive
Botanical oils have been and continue to be an integral part of skin care, healing and ritual practices in various cultures around the world.
From ancient Egypt to India, each of these cultures developed unique ways of using oils that have endured to this day. Modern cosmetology and natural medicine draw inspiration from these ancient traditions, appreciating the versatile uses and health benefits of botanical oils. Modern interest in natural and traditional body care methods is rediscovering ancient practices. Many people are returning to using natural botanical oils in their daily care, drawing inspiration from the traditions of their ancestors. Nowadays, oils such as linseed oil, hemp oil, walnut oil, nigella seed oil or sesame oil are valued not only in the kitchen, but also in cosmetics as natural, organic skin care products.
