NuSkin applies scientific rigour to the essential oils trend

Having identified that the essential oils market is growing rapidly, NuSkin has been undertaking scientific research in this field, and earlier this year announced the upcoming introduction of Epoch Essential Oils in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

The essential oils can be used topically or aromatically to provide a variety of sensory and wellness experiences and benefits, and the company confirmed that a launch in China and Europe is also planned.

"Given our global footprint, we believe we are ideally positioned to quickly grow market share as we launch specialized essential oils into many of our international markets. We look to differentiate ourselves in this marketplace by applying Nu Skin scientific rigor to this category,"​ said Truman Hunt, chief executive officer.

As part of Nu Skin's Epoch brand, the new essential oils line includes blends formulated with scientific insights from ethnobotany and features natural ingredients used throughout history.

"Indigenous cultures have long known the value of botanical substances and have used them for their healthful benefits,"​ adds Joseph Chang, Ph.D., chief scientific officer. "Nu Skin has partnered with one of the world's leading ethnobotanists to bring this knowledge to our modern lifestyle."​

Research​

The scientific research that has been done by the company has been very extensive as essential oils are volatile and complex hydrophobic compounds with natural variations in composition and quality due to growth conditions, climate, harvest etc.

Speaking with Helen Knaggs, Vice President of Global Research and Development, she tells us that extraction methods and storage conditions, such as exposure to oxygen, temperature and light, can also affect the integrity of essential oils. 

“Even though there are many examples of essential oil use throughout history, the effects on human physiology are poorly understood,”​ she tells CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.

“It is vital to understand and establish identity, purity, and potency to establish reliable quality and prevent adulteration or misidentifying the essential oil.”​

So NuSKin set about doing more research in this area and this saw its team develop quality standards utilizing different evaluation methods and additionally, demonstrate biological activity of different extracts using gene expression analysis of skin related genes.

SkinCare Ingredients 2015​

The results of this and how these were achieved will be discussed in more detail by Helen and Senior Associate Scientist, Brian Cook, at this year’s SkinCare Ingredients 2015 online event.

NuSkin will be focusing on essential oils and its research into their benefits and pitfalls, joining the likes of Mintel, Coty and Seers Consulting in discussing the latest in skin care ingredients.

The event takes place on Wednesday 24 June, 2015. For more information and to register for free, please click here.​