Eucalyptus

A natural history

The eucalyptus is one of Australia's signature trees, a fragrant giant of the bush whose leaves have been used by Aboriginal Australians for generations, steeped to ease aches, congestion, and fever. So tall do these trees grow that the mountain ash is the tallest flowering plant on earth, and their leaves are so rich in pungent oils that almost the only creature willing to live on them is the koala.

That same brisk, clearing aroma made eucalyptus a classic the world over. In the nineteenth century the thirsty, oil rich trees were even planted around marshes to help dry the ground, earning a reputation as fever trees. Today the fresh, crisp scent of its leaf oil brings a clarifying lift to skin care.

What it does for your skin

Eucalyptus leaf oil is led by a clarifying compound called cineole. In laboratory analysis, eucalyptus oil showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, the qualities behind its fresh, purifying reputation.^[1] Further study confirmed that cineole rich eucalyptus oils carry real antioxidant activity in testing.^[2] In a formula, used in gentle measure, eucalyptus gives a clarifying, purifying, refreshing character to congested or oily looking skin. That fresh, purifying character is documented in laboratory antioxidant and antimicrobial studies.

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