Throughout history, aromatherapy has been used in one form or another all over the world. However, by the 19th century, chemists endeavored to produce chemical copies of the fragrance of essential oils. These synthetic fragrances were much cheaper to produce, but they lacked the medicinal and therapeutic properties of the authentic essential oils. Today it is rare to find anything other than synthetic fragrances in skin care products.

The essential oils used in aromatherapy are extracted from many parts of the aromatic plant: leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, roots, barks, fruits and resins. The oils are a concentrated form of plant energy possessing the qualities of the particular plant, and are usually many times more potent than the comparable dried herbs.

Plants used for aromatherapy oils must be picked at certain times of the day and year and in certain weather conditions. This is because the plant's essential oil changes its chemical composition and moves from one part of the plant to another, according to external influences.

Essential oils must also be of high quality in order to be effective. The price of these oils will vary depending on the plant's availability, the amount of essential oil in the plant, and the exact method of distillation. Prices will vary from season to season, depending upon the success of the crop. Rose is one of the most expensive oils because it requires 2,000 pounds of rose petals to produce one pound of essential rose oil. And although essential oils can be expensive, only a small amount is needed because they are highly concentrated.

Essential oils added to skin care make a wonderful treatment and can have a profound effect on your skin. All types of skin will respond and benefit from the use of essential oils - they are the best delivery system for transporting life-supporting nutrients and oxygen directly into the cells. Their molecules are simple and very small, allowing them to pass directly into the skin cells. The most common benefits of essential oils include anti-aging properties, rejuvenation, regeneration, balancing, and calming.

Skin care that contains essential oils can also have a great effect on one's emotional wellbeing. When essential oils are inhaled through the nose, the aroma travels to a part of the brain that controls memories and emotions. Essential oils can also stimulate natural chemicals in the brain that are responsible for feelings of wellbeing and happiness.