Why Our Essential Oil Blend Works for Firmer, Healthier Skin

The Sculpt & Tone Body Oil formula contains an expert blend of scientifically validated essential oils, carefully selected for their ability to restore the skin’s firmness, elasticity, smoothness, and resilience following weight loss or body changes caused by aging or hormonal fluctuations.

Each organic essential oil is supported by independent research and contributes to visibly improving and protecting skin elasticity, structure, and smooth appearance.

The oils included in the blend: Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil (geranium oil), Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil (lemongrass oil), Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil (grapefruit oil), Cananga Odorata Flower Oil (ylang ylang oil), Boswellia Carterii Oil (frankincense oil), Rosa Damascena Flower Extract (rose extract).

Synergistic impact of the essential oil blend

The essential oils in the Sculpt & Tone Body Oil work synergistically to deliver a more effective solution than any single oil alone. Together, they target the key biological pathways responsible for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and structural integrity, offering not just repair but active protection against the development of lax or crepey skin. Each oil contributes uniquely, whether by preserving collagen, enhancing hydration, or boosting skin resilience, creating a multi-dimensional defence against the effects of weight loss, aging, or hormonal changes. This combined action helps skin adapt more effectively to body transformation, preserving tone and elasticity and helping to prevent sagging or thinning before it begins [1][2][2a]

For example, geranium and lemongrass oils provide robust inhibition of collagenase and elastase, directly protecting the proteins responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity1. Frankincense and rose damascena extracts further preserve the skin’s protein framework and hydration. Meanwhile, ylang ylang and lemongrass oils enhance epidermal hydration and barrier integrity, while grapefruit oil supports microcirculation and tissue tone, refining contours and reducing fluid retention puffiness[2a]. The result is a deeply nourishing, rapidly absorbing serum that improves elasticity, firms lax or crepey skin, and promotes a smoother, more sculpted appearance. This multi-targeted synergy is especially beneficial for skin undergoing changes due to weight loss, aging, or hormonal shifts, offering a scientifically substantiated solution to support resilience and tone during the weight loss, transformational program [1][2a].

Scientific review of the individual organic essential oils

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) Essential Oil


Geranium essential oil is known for its ability to inhibit collagenase and elastase, enzymes that degrade collagen and elastin i.e. the structural proteins responsible for keeping skin firm and elastic [1]. When these proteins break down, the skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more prone to sagging or crepiness. Geranium oil also has powerful antioxidant effects, helping to neutralise free radicals that accelerate skin aging. Notably, studies have shown it penetrates effectively into deeper skin layers when formulated in plant oils such as the Sculpt and Tone formula. By supporting collagen integrity and reaching the dermal layers where elasticity originates, geranium oil plays a crucial role in tightening skin and improving its stretch and rebound quality. (1)

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Essential Oil

Lemongrass oil has demonstrated the ability to block up to 75% of collagenase and over 60% of elastase, directly protecting the proteins that maintain skin’s firmness and elasticity [2]. In addition, it provides antioxidant defence against environmental damage and oxidative stress, which are key contributors to collagen loss and loss of skin tone. Skin model studies have also shown that lemongrass oil improves hydration and barrier strength, helping the skin appear smoother, more supple, and resistant to crepiness. These effects make lemongrass a valuable component for reinforcing skin structure and promoting visible elasticity and resilience in skin that has changed due to weight fluctuations or age. (2, 2a)

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) Essential Oil

Grapefruit oil is high in limonene, a compound with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [3]. While not directly studied for enzyme inhibition, grapefruit oil helps reduce oxidative stress, a key driver of collagen breakdown and reduced skin elasticity. It is also known to support microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, which can assist in decongesting fluid-retentive areas of skin (a common side effect of weight loss) and smoothing uneven texture. These properties contribute to a more toned, sculpted appearance, especially in skin that has become puffy or slack post-weight loss. By supporting underlying tissue tone, grapefruit oil helps refine contours and promote natural skin firmness. (3)

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil

Ylang ylang oil helps restore balance and hydration to the skin while calming inflammation and supporting the skin’s natural barrier [4]. Its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects help maintain a healthy skin environment, which is essential for supporting elasticity over time. By improving hydration and reducing oxidative stress, ylang ylang contributes to a smoother, more supple skin surface and supports long-term tone and resilience in areas affected by age or weight related changes. (4)

Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) Essential Oil

Frankincense oil offers targeted protection for collagen and elastin by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that speed up skin aging, especially during inflammation, which may occur if the previous diet was high in ultra-processed foods or sugar. [5]. This action helps prevent the loss of structural proteins crucial for firmness and elasticity. Frankincense also soothes the skin and promotes regeneration through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it particularly effective in rebuilding skin structure after physical stressors such as weight loss, leading to visibly firmer skin with improved elastic tension and tone. (5)

Organic Extract

Rose Damascus (Rosa damascena) Petal Extract

Rosa damascena extract acts on three critical fronts by inhibiting collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase, enzymes that degrade collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid respectively [6]. These molecules are central to maintaining the firmness, elasticity, and hydration of youthful skin. In addition, rose extract is rich in antioxidants such as gallic acid, which help defend against free radical damage and slow the breakdown of skin structure. Its multitargeted action makes it particularly effective for wrinkled or crepey areas, helping to restore plumpness, smooth texture, and visible skin elasticity. (6)

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Essential Oils in Sculpt & Tone: The Science of Skin Firming

References
1. Topical Delivery of Geranium/Calendula Essential Oil-Entrapped Ethanolic Lipid Vesicles: Age-Defying Potential and Skin Permeation Studies
Key Findings: This study developed topical creams using geranium essential oil in ethanol-based lipid vesicles and evaluated their antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibition (collagenase and elastase), and dermal penetration.
The formulations significantly inhibited collagenase and elastase, enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen and elastin, which are critical to maintaining skin firmness and elasticity.
The creams showed strong antioxidant activity, helping to protect the skin from oxidative damage that contributes to laxity and wrinkles.
Enhanced skin permeation of active compounds was demonstrated, increasing the potential effectiveness of geranium oil in reaching deeper layers of the skin. Relevance to Firming Skin: This study supports the role of geranium oil in tightening and toning lax or crepey skin by protecting and preserving collagen and elastin, which are often depleted following weight loss or aging.
2. Evaluation of the EtOAc Extract of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) for Anti-Aging Skin Benefits
Key Findings: The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of lemongrass showed potent inhibition of elastase (60.78%) and collagenase (75.06%) in cell-free biochemical assays, at concentrations comparable to established anti-aging agents.
Both enzymes are directly involved in the breakdown of elastin and collagen, which are critical for skin firmness and elasticity. Inhibition of these enzymes helps maintain skin structure and reduces sagging and wrinkling.
The extract also displayed strong antioxidant activity (DPPH, TEAC, nitric oxide-scavenging assays), further supporting its role in protecting dermal structure from oxidative stress.
The study confirmed high levels of phenolics and flavonoids, which are associated with these bioactivities. Relevance to Firming Skin: By inhibiting collagenase and elastase, lemongrass extract helps preserve the extracellular matrix, supporting skin firmness and resilience, directly addressing laxity and crepey texture. Antioxidant activity complements these effects by protecting against free radical-induced dermal degradation.
3. Lemongrass Essential Oil as a Skin Protectant
Key Findings: In a human skin model, topical application of lemongrass essential oil improved epidermal hydration and barrier integrity.
High-resolution sonography images showed better skin structure and resilience in areas treated with lemongrass oil compared to controls.
The authors attribute these effects to the oil’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reinforce the skin barrier and minimize damage from free radicals. Relevance to Firming Skin: Improved barrier integrity and hydration are associated with plumper, more resilient skin, reducing the appearance of crepiness and laxity.
4. Antioxidant Capacity and Antitumoral Activity of Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) Essential Oil
Key Findings: Grapefruit oil demonstrated strong antioxidant capacity (the ability to neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage skin cells) in DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, a chemical test measuring antioxidant effectiveness), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), another method for assessing antioxidant activity), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, a method that evaluates the reducing potential of antioxidants) assays, attributed largely to limonene (a major compound found in citrus essential oils known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties).
The oil may support circulation and lymphatic drainage, with anecdotal support for anti-cellulite and skin-smoothing benefits. Relevance to Firming Skin: The antioxidant protection helps prevent dermal breakdown, while improved circulation may aid in fluid balance and skin texture, which is relevant when targeting crepey, post-weight loss skin.
5. The Effectiveness of Ylang-Ylang Oil for Regulating Sebum Production and Improving Skin Tone
Key Findings: Ylang ylang oil was shown to regulate sebum, reduce inflammation, and enhance hydration.
These properties help restore the skin barrier and reduce environmental damage, contributing to smoother, more balanced skin. Relevance to Firming Skin: Although it does not directly stimulate collagen, ylang ylang oil improves skin tone, texture, and barrier function, making it supportive in a blend targeting lax skin and tone after weight fluctuations.
Limitations: Evidence is indirect and based on sebaceous regulation and hydration rather than collagen/elastin activity or firming efficacy.
6. Seeing the Unseen of the Combination of Two Natural Resins: Frankincense and Myrrh
Key Findings: Frankincense was found to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade collagen and elastin.
Also showed strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that support skin regeneration and repair. Relevance to Firming Skin: By directly inhibiting enzymes that cause collagen breakdown, frankincense provides mechanistic support for skin firming, especially useful for lax or wrinkled skin post-weight loss or aging.
7. Green Approach for Rosa damascena Mill. Petal Extract: Potent Inhibition of Collagenase, Elastase, and Hyaluronidase (2025)
Key Findings: In vitro (cell-free) model: No animal or human subjects; all data are from biochemical enzyme inhibition assays.
Direct measurement of firming-relevant mechanisms: Collagenase inhibition: Prevents collagen breakdown, thus supporting skin firmness and reducing laxity.
Elastase inhibition: Prevents elastin degradation, which is crucial for skin elasticity and resilience.
Hyaluronidase inhibition: Helps retain skin hydration and plumpness, supporting firmness and smoothing crepey skin.
Mechanistic insight: Identifies gallic acid as a key active component responsible for enzyme inhibition.
Rosa damascena petal extract demonstrated strong, concentration-dependent inhibition (the effect increased as more extract was used) of three key enzymes: collagenase (an enzyme that breaks down collagen, a protein that gives skin its firmness), elastase (an enzyme that degrades elastin, the protein responsible for skin's elasticity), and hyaluronidase (an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, a molecule that helps retain moisture and plumpness in the skin) in vitro (in a test tube or laboratory setting, not in living organisms).
The extract was more effective at inhibiting (blocking the action of) elastase and hyaluronidase than standard positive controls (well-known anti-aging substances used for comparison), and comparably effective at inhibiting collagenase.
Relevance to firming skin: The study concludes that Rosa damascena extract is a potent anti-aging ingredient due to its ability to inhibit enzymes responsible for extracellular matrix breakdown, which underlies skin sagging and crepiness.