The Practical Guide to Oily Macerate: Benefits and Preparation

Oily macerates are natural treasures, widely used for their therapeutic properties and cosmetic applications. Whether for skin care, hair care or aromatic massages, these vegetable oils enriched with active ingredients offer a gentle and effective solution for everyday life. Discover everything you need to know about these precious products.

The oily macerate is distinguished by its ease of use and its ability to meet everyday needs. Whether to nourish dry skin, calm redness, or prevent the effects of the sun, these macerates act in depth, while respecting the skin's natural barrier. In addition, their delicate fragrance, from macerated plants, makes them an asset for beauty rituals.

Integrating an oily macerate into your routine allows you to benefit from the natural properties of plants in a gentle way, without resorting to chemical substances. Thanks to their versatility, they can be used alone or mixed with other treatments such as essential oils or moisturizing creams.

An oily macerate is obtained by a prolonged infusion of plants or flowers in a vegetable oil. This process allows the extraction of active ingredients, such as fatty acids, vitamins, and mineral salts, present in the parts of the plant used. Unlike an essential oil, it is a gentler preparation and easy to integrate into care routines.

Oily macerates have been used for centuries in many cultures for their therapeutic benefits and restorative properties. Plants such as calendula, known for their anti-inflammatory effects, or meadowsweet, prized for relieving ailments, are among the oldest recipes passed down by ancestral knowledge.

The choice of plants is essential to obtain a quality macerate. Plants from organic farming are preferred to avoid any contamination by pesticides. As for the vegetable oil used as a carrier, it must be pure, cold-pressed and suitable for the desired use, such as sunflower oil for its lightness or sweet almond oil for its softness.

1. Hot maceration : Under the effect of heat, the active ingredients of the plant diffuse more quickly into the oil. However, this method can alter certain sensitive active ingredients.

2. Cold maceration : A slow but ideal process to preserve the quality of active elements and therapeutic properties.

3. Solar Maceration : Made by exposing the mixture of plants and oil to the sun, it combines gentle heat and natural energy for optimal benefits.

Once the maceration is complete, the mixture is carefully filtered to remove plant residues. The macerate is then stored in tinted glass bottles to protect it from UV rays, and a natural preservative, such as vitamin E, may be added to extend its shelf life.

Oily macerates offer a multitude of benefits for the body and mind:

• Hydration and repair : Thanks to their fatty acids and vitamins, they nourish dry skin and reduce fine lines.

• Anti-inflammatory and soothing : Macerates such as calendula reduce redness and skin irritation.

• Pain relief : Meadowsweet macerate is known to soothe muscular and joint pain.

Each macerate has its own virtues. For example:

• Calendula : Ideal for the care of sensitive skin, babies or after sun exposure.

Carrot : Prepares and repairs the skin after UV rays, while providing a healthy glow.

Arnica : Perfect for relieving pain and reducing bruising.

In skin care: face and body

Applied directly to the face or body, oily macerates act as moisturizing and restorative treatments. They can be used:

• In massage oil to relax muscles.

• As a base for blends with essential oils.

• As a daily treatment to soothe irritated skin.

In hair care

Oily macerates nourish and strengthen the hair. For example:

• Coconut macerate helps reduce hair loss.

• Rosemary macerate stimulates circulation in the scalp to promote growth.

In massage and aromatherapy

Thanks to their specific properties, oily macerates are an excellent base for relaxing or therapeutic massages. Mixed with essential oils, they intensify their restorative effects.

• For sensitive skin: choose calendula macerate.

• For dry hair: opt for a nourishing macerate like shea butter.

• For anti-aging needs: rosehip macerate is rich in regenerating active ingredients.

Creating a homemade oily macerate is simple. Here is a recipe:

1. Fill a jar with dried flowers, such as calendula.

2. Cover with an organic vegetable oil (e.g. olive oil).

3. Leave to macerate away from light for 4 to 6 weeks.

4. Strain and store in a glass bottle.

To ensure optimum quality, store your macerates in a cool, dry place. Use a preservative, such as vitamin E, to prevent rancidity, and check the expiration date of any vegetable oil used in your stock.

Conclusion

Oily macerates are true allies in a natural care routine. By selecting quality plants and following precise preparation steps, you obtain products rich in active ingredients, ideal for your skin, your hair, and your overall well-being. Whether for their restorative virtues, their softness, or their effectiveness, they deserve a special place in your beauty basket.

What is the difference between oily macerate and vegetable oil?

An oily macerate is an infusion of plants in a vegetable oil to extract the active ingredients and specific properties. On the other hand, a vegetable oil is a pure oil obtained by pressing or extraction, such as olive oil or coconut oil, without the addition of other ingredients.

When to take a macerate?

Oily macerates are mainly used for external applications, suitable for skin care, hair care, or for massages. They are not consumed, unless they are specifically prepared for food use, such as certain macerates based on edible plants.

How to make a rosemary oil macerate?

To create a rosemary macerate:

1. Take dried rosemary leaves to avoid moisture.

2. Place them in a clean jar and cover them with a vegetable oil such as olive oil.

3. Leave to macerate for 4 to 6 weeks at room temperature, away from light.

4. Strain and store in a glass bottle.

What oil should I use to make a plant macerate?

The choice of oil depends on the needs:

• For a light effect, choose sunflower oil.

• For dry skin, opt for sweet almond oil.

• For universal use, organic olive oil is ideal.
  Always choose an organic, cold-pressed oil to preserve the quality of the macerate.