We bet you know that tangerines are a tasty way to make it to your five-a-day, but did you also know that tangerine oil could be a beneficial ingredient to add into your skincare routine?

The basics about tangerine essential oil 

While the classification of tangerines may not be completely straightforward, tangerines are easily identifiable by comparing them to oranges. Tangerines are typically smaller in size and less round than oranges, and are also usually considered to be less sour and more sweet tasting. 

Tangerines are either considered to be a variety of the mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) – or closely related species, under the name of Citrus tangerina. Or they can be in the form of a hybrid (Citrus × tangerina) of mandarin orange varieties, with some pomelo (a natural citrus fruit that is native to Southeast Asia) contribution.

Tangerine essential oil benefits

1. Helps to heal wounds

Tangerine essential oil has been found to have both antibacterial and wound-healing properties, making it the ideal ingredient for those who have acne-prone skin or a facial skin condition. Opting for skincare products which are infused with tangerine oil can help to aid healing of the skin. 

2. Fights off free radicals

A study examining the phytochemical and biological properties of tangerine, grapefruit, lemon and cinnamon oil found promising results for both the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the studied essential oils. This makes tangerine oil an ideal ingredient in skincare to help fight off the damage that can be caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are released in the body naturally when oxygen atoms split after coming into contact with another chemical. Antioxidants help to prevent free radicals causing damage to your healthy skin cells by binding to the free radicals. They are able to do this as they are stable enough to donate an electron and provide the free radicals with an electron pairing. 

As the free radicals now have their missing electron pair, they do not need to ‘steal’ an electron from somewhere else and damage a healthy cell. It’s important to remember that free radical damage may not be immediately noticeable on the skin, but persistent free radical damage accumulates, resulting in skin complaints such as dryness, sagging, age spots, broken blood vessels, uneven pigmentation, fine lines and crepey skin.

3. Aids the production of collagen in the skin

As you’d probably expect, tangerine oil is rich in vitamin C. Not only is this good for your general health and wellbeing, but vitamin C is also important in the production of collagen in the body.

Vitamin C is essential for connective tissue healing and encouraging the proper triple helix formation of collagen. This type of vitamin has also been found to increase type I collagen synthesis, which is by far the most abundant type of collagen in the body. 

4. Protects the skin’s natural barrier

When considering the safety and efficacy of combined essential oils for the skin barrier, a recent study found that all tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus and tangerine essential oils were “safe and effective in the improvement of the hydrolipidic balance”. 

Now, we know that sounds like far too much science, but what this means is that all of the oils helped to improve the skin's protective and film-like barrier. This barrier is absolutely essential in maintaining skin health, and fighting off free radicals and other environmental damage. 

5. Soothes sensitive skin

One of the main tangerine essential oil benefits for skin is that it helps to soothe sensitive skin, where the unpleasant sensations experienced are not caused by skin lesions. Some of the main complaints of sensitive skin are sensations such as: stinging, burning, tingling and pain.

A recent study found that topical application of tangerine oil (Citrus reticulata) showed an instant and long-lasting improvement in sensitive skin and the associated sensations. This is one of the many reasons why tangerine essential oil is infused into skincare products.  

How to use tangerine essential oil

People choose to use tangerine oil in a variety of ways, from diffusing the oil to create an invigorating room scent and diluting the oil in a carrier oil, to using it in your skincare. 

For people wishing to reap the skincare benefits of tangerine oil, using quality products infused with tangerine essential oil can help to bring some life back to your skin. 

UpCircle’s Body Oil Infused with Tangerine Oil

In 2022’s Beauty Advent Calendar, we first introduced you to tangerine oil in UpCircle skincare in the form of our luxurious Body Oil. We heard the rave reviews and knew we had to bring this product back. 

As part of the 2023 Festive Gifting, we have included the body oil in "The Festive Trio" Cracker. Infused with nourishing upcycled passion fruit oil, as well as both tangerine and kumquat oil, this fast-absorbing and non-greasy oil leaves skin deeply moisturised and gorgeously scented.

Is tangerine essential oil phototoxic

While some studies have found tangerine oil to not be phototoxic, we always recommend wearing a quality SPF every single day – rain or shine! Opt for a Mineral Sunscreen that protects you from UVA and UVB rays. 

Shop our luxurious body oil infused with tangerine oil and passion fruit oil.

Take a look at our full range of skincare, haircare and body care products, created with the planet in mind.