These are three different ingredients—not three strengths of the same product. A finished cream or serum is a fourth category: a complete formulation.
Essential oil
A concentrated aromatic material, commonly obtained by steam distillation. It is not a ready-to-use facial oil. Follow the supplier’s intended use and the finished product’s directions; do not treat an essential oil as something to drink or apply neat. [2]
Hydrosol and macerate
A hydrosol is the water-based aromatic distillate. A macerate is plant material infused into a carrier oil. It contains that carrier oil and is not pure essential oil. Check the full composition, preservation or stability information and storage instructions for the actual product.
Finished skincare
A serum or cream may combine several ingredients. Its performance belongs to the whole formula, not to the name of one botanical. Ask which immortelle ingredient is present, then read the complete ingredient list and the evidence relating to that particular finished product.
Sources & further reading
Sources consulted · · Read our standards
