Cypress

A natural history

The Mediterranean cypress is one of the most stately and storied trees of the old world, its tall, slender silhouette a defining mark of Mediterranean hillsides and gardens. Revered since classical antiquity, it has long stood as a symbol of mourning and of eternal life, planted in sacred groves and quiet cemeteries across the ages.

Its very name tells the story. The species name sempervirens means ever-green, or ever-living, and the cypress has been an emblem of eternity and remembrance since ancient times. Fittingly, it is remarkably long lived, with some trees said to stand for many centuries. From its evergreen branches comes a crisp, clarifying oil.

What it does for your skin

Cypress is a toning, clarifying evergreen oil. In laboratory study, cypress oil, rich in pinene, showed antioxidant and antibacterial activity.^[1] A further analysis confirmed its pinene rich character and antimicrobial activity in testing.^[2] In a formula, used in gentle measure, cypress lends an astringent, clarifying, toning touch to oily or congested looking skin. That astringent, clarifying character is documented in laboratory studies of its pinene.

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