When my skin feels tight

My testimony

When I go for a walk in winter, when it’s cold and windy, I come home with tightness on my facial skin. I don’t have sensitive skin, just a little reactive, especially to changes in temperature. I don’t use any “aggressive” creams or lotions that might irritate it. Only the very hard water in our area must contribute to drying it out. When the cold wind adds (or removes…) a layer, it becomes uncomfortable. So it’s time for me to give it a bit of a treat with hydrolats!

My tip

When my skin feels tight, my reflex is orange blossom. After a shower, I use a washable make-up remover square to apply orange blossom hydrosol to my face, morning and night. I do this after the shower because our water is very hard, and I don’t want to leave my skin feeling dry.
If I still have that tight feeling after a few days, or simply for the pleasure of the ensuing benefit, I make myself a honey face mask. To do this, I pour a tablespoon of liquid honey into a bowl (prefer organic honey from a local producer if you can). I add a tablespoon of orange blossom hydrosol and 2 pinches of white or pink clay. I mix and soak make-up remover squares in the mixture before applying them to my face while I’m lying down. I leave it on for around 20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. This mask works wonders on uncomfortable, tight skin.

What does phytotherapy have to say?

All parts of the bitter orange tree are used in phytotherapy: leaves, flowers and fruit peel. The leaves and flowers are reputed to be antispasmodic and sedative, while the bark is a tonic. In aromatherapy, the essential oil of the flowers (neroli) is traditionally used to soothe the nervous system. Orange blossom hydrosol is certainly one of the best-known and most widely used hydrosols. Consisting mainly of monoterpene alcohols, orange blossom hydrosol has numerous virtues, both internally and externally. Orally, it relieves tension, calms and soothes, and induces sleep. Externally, it is considered to be regenerating for all skin types, very useful for tight, dull, dry or delicate skin.

Did you know?

Orange blossom hydrosol is perfect for babies Whether diluted in the bath or diffused in the bedroom, it’s ideal for calming the baby before bedtime. Diluted in the baby’s bottle, it soothes and calms colic Orange blossom hydrosol is also perfect for cleansing the baby’s face and bottom

I use hydrosols SAFELY

Whether used internally or externally, on newborns or the elderly, orange blossom hydrosol has no contraindications, only indications!

CITRUS AURANTIUM Orange blossom (bitter orange)

The bitter orange tree is native to northern India. Introduced to Europe by the Arabs in the 11th century, it is now grown throughout the Mediterranean basin. This 4 to 5 m-high tree has leathery, glossy leaves and sweet-smelling white flowers, which produce bitter fruit. All parts of the tree are aromatic: leaves, flowers and fruit bark. Distillation of the flowers produces neroli essential oil and orange blossom hydrosol. Orange blossom hydrosol is used both in cooking to flavor desserts and for its soothing properties, both internally and externally.