Not all aromatic elements in skincare are created equal. Many products rely on synthetic fragrances, which are inexpensive, highly stable, and easy to produce. But these lab-made aroma compounds are inert on the skin they offer no therapeutic benefit and often contain sensitizers or allergens that can irritate delicate skin. They are designed purely for scent, disconnecting skincare from its deeper purpose.

Some natural brands use essential oils in high concentrations, claiming “more is better.” However, excessive use can overwhelm the senses, irritate skin, or disrupt the skin barrier over time. True therapeutic benefit requires restraint, precision, and thoughtful blending, not intensity.

VÆR essential oils bridge the gap between these extremes. We use pure, sustainably sourced oils, carefully layered to support skin health and emotional wellbeing. Each blend is:

• Purpose-driven, crafted to guide the body into states of healing, balance, or energy.
• Minimal and safe, always below 2% concentration for daily comfort and long-term skin compatibility.
• Free from synthetics or fillers, preserving the natural integrity of each plant extract.

Our approach creates skincare that’s functional, sensorial, and respectful of both skin and senses, unlike chemical fragrance or poorly formulated natural alternatives.

When choosing skincare with essential oils, labels can be misleading. Many products that claim “natural aroma” actually use synthetic fragrance compounds or cheap fillers that can harm your skin or health. Here’s what to watch for:

Look for:

• Latin botanical names (e.g., Boswellia carterii for frankincense), indicating genuine plant oil.
• "Essential oil" or "EO" listed clearly, with no vague “fragrance” or “parfum” terms.
• Low concentrations (<2%), especially in leave-on products, for safety and skin compatibility.
• Transparent sourcing information, including origin or extraction method.

Avoid products containing:

• "Fragrance," "Parfum," or "Aroma" – umbrella terms that often hide synthetic chemicals or phthalates.
• Synthetic musks (e.g., Galaxolide, Tonalide) – linked to hormone disruption and environmental persistence.
• Allergenic fragrance additives like cinnamal, hydroxycitronellal, isoeugenol – high irritation potential.
• Solvent-based extracts or "nature-identical oils", which are lab-synthesized and lack therapeutic benefits.
• Phototoxic citrus oils (like unrectified cold-pressed bergamot) used at unsafe levels, increasing sun sensitivity.

At VÆR, we ensure every essential oil is pure, naturally derived, skin-safe, and intentionally chosen for therapeutic value not just scent. Our labels list every oil by botanical name and use only safe, non-irritating concentrations.

Essential oils have a long and rich history spanning ancient civilizations and traditional healing systems. Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures used aromatic plant extracts for skincare, medicine, and spiritual rituals, recognizing their ability to heal wounds, calm the mind, and connect body and soul. In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, essential oils were integral to therapies designed to balance energy, soothe inflammation, and promote longevity. These oils were once considered precious gifts of nature, reserved for sacred ceremonies and medicinal ointments.

In the modern era, essential oils are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, as people turn away from synthetic fragrances and harsh chemical-laden skincare. Consumers are increasingly seeking natural, functional solutions ingredients with real therapeutic value beyond texture and scent. Essential oils offer a unique bridge between ancestral wisdom and modern science, combining clinically studied benefits with an intuitive, sensory experience that reconnects us to nature.

At VÆR, we embrace this revival while maintaining a minimalist, safety-first approach, using only well-researched oils at low, skin-compatible concentrations (<2%). This ensures you receive the best of both worlds: ancient botanical remedies refined by modern understanding, crafted into purpose-driven blends for today’s skincare rituals.

Essential oils are precious and require significant plant material to produce even a small amount of oil. Unfortunately, mass-market demand has led to unsustainable farming, overharvesting, and adulteration of many essential oils. At VÆR, we take sourcing seriously:

• We work with trusted, traceable suppliers who follow ethical and sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring plant populations are not depleted.
• Our oils are pure and unadulterated, free from synthetic extenders or dilution with cheap carrier oils.
• We favor slow, traditional distillation methods that preserve the full spectrum of therapeutic compounds without chemical solvents.
• Every batch is tested for authenticity and purity, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin.

This approach not only protects the planet but ensures that each drop of essential oil in VÆR products is potent, safe, and aligned with our ancestral, health-first philosophy.

High-quality essential oils are typically extracted using gentle, solvent-free methods that preserve their therapeutic properties. The most common technique is steam distillation, where aromatic compounds are captured from plants using heat and water vapor, ideal for oils like lavender, frankincense, and rosemary. Cold pressing is used for citrus oils, extracting fragrance-rich compounds directly from the peel without heat, while CO₂ extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull a fuller range of active compounds, producing incredibly potent, clean oils. At VÆR, we prioritize these methods for their purity, efficacy, and alignment with our skin-safe, seed-oil-free philosophy.