Golden Wonder: How Helichrysum Oil Can Benefit Your Skin
Helichrysum, a stunning yellow flower native to the Mediterranean region and Southern Europe, is one of the most healing botanical ingredients used in skincare. The plant’s essential oil is uniquely rich in bioactive compounds that support skin health and resilience, making it one of the beauty world’s great natural multi-taskers. From its use in traditional medicine to modern formulations in which its complexion-boosting properties bloom, here’s everything you need to know about Helichrysum, a flower with timeless appeal.
What is Helichrysum?
Helichrysum, which derives its name from the Greek helios (sun) and chrysos (gold), is a flowering plant in the daisy family with an herbaceous, honeyed scent that has long made it sought after by perfumers and herbalists alike. Also known as immortelle or ever-lasting, helichrysum flowers are known for their ability to retain their shape and vivid golden color even after they are dried, a rare botanical trait that reflects their high concentration of naturally stabilizing compounds. This quality has made the flower a symbol of endurance for many cultures, chiefly the ancient Greeks, who wove the flowers into garlands to honor their gods and goddesses. According to myth, a golden-haired nymph named Elicrysa, who fell in love with a god, was transformed into the flower so that she could enjoy immortality.
The plant thrives in the windswept, rocky terrain of sunbaked islands such as Corsica, where it is considered an emblem of luck and longevity. Local folklore promises: “He who adorns himself with helichrysum will remain imbued with fortune.”
How Has Helichrysum Essential Oil Been Used Throughout History?
Helichrysum has been revered for its beauty and healing properties for millennia, and has been used traditionally to treat allergies and respiratory conditions as well as myriad skin issues, including helping to heal scars and support tissue repair. In antiquity, the flowers were steeped in olive oil or honey to capture their regenerative properties and smoothed onto skin like a salve. Hippocrates, known as the “Father of Medicine,” wrote of helichrysum’s value for wound healing in the 5th century B.C., and physician Theophrastus recorded its use for speeding recovery from burns and stings in the 4th century B.C. It has long been a popular folk remedy throughout South Africa for treating infections and inflammation, and in aromatherapy the scent of helichrysum is believed to reduce anxiety and mental fatigue, adding an emotional dimension to its physical healing.
The essential oil of helichrysum is extracted using steam distillation, which protects the delicate molecular structure of the plant material so it retains beneficial properties. The primary species used in skincare is Helichrysum italicum, which is especially recognized for its soothing properties and for its ability to support skin elasticity. If using helichrysum essential oil on its own, take care to mix it with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil.
How Does Helichrysum Benefit Skin?
An Essential Anti-Aging Remedy:
Helichrysum’s spectrum of flavonoids, terpenes and phenols makes it an essential botanical ingredient in the most rejuvenating botanical skin care blends. The flower’s compounds promote healthy skin cell regeneration, resulting in enhanced glow, while working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has also been shown to bolster the skin’s collagen and elastin production, preserving skin density and suppleness while helping skin recover more quickly from daily environmental stress.
Reduces Inflammation and Irritation:
Helichrysum oil diminishes inflammation in skin and contains calming esters that act to reduce redness. It can help soothe inflamed skin after irritation, shaving or sun exposure, and mitigate irritation caused by allergic rashes. Its anti-microbial properties may also help bring acne breakouts under control while also bringing overall balance to the complexion, making it especially useful for reactive or sensitized skin types.
Antioxidant Protection:
The antioxidant compounds in helichrysum can help reduce free radical damage from the sun, pollution, and the stress of daily life. Free radicals disrupt the skin barrier, leading to skin issues such as dryness, premature aging, and eczema. Helichrysum bolsters skin with regenerative and protective support so that skin cells retain their health, vitality and structural integrity over time.
How to Incorporate Helichrysum into Your Tammy Fender Holistic Skincare Routine
The rejuvenating, restorative and protective properties of helichrysum can be experienced in many of Tammy’s most celebrated formulas, in which she blends the botanical extract with complementary natural actives—nutrient-dense plant oils, antioxidant-rich extracts, and calming florals—to amplify its reparative and radiance-enhancing benefits. Among her favorite helichrysum formulas are the supremely hydrating Intensive Repair Balm, which delivers deep comfort and stimulates renewal, the soothing and skin-strengthening Spontaneous Recovery Creme, which helps fortify skin against environmental stressors, and the vitalizing Restorative Radiance Mask, which brings immediate luminosity and softness. The cult favorite Plant Milk Serum, which is known for its exceptional ability to soothe delicate, sensitive skin while reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier, is also enriched with helichrysum, along with a chorus of calming botanicals. This golden flower is one Tammy’s favorite ingredients, a powerful thread running through her holistic approach to radiant skin.
