Carla Gentile, owner of the Los Angeles based Steam Salon, has created Steam Creams & Oils, a healthy hair system based on aromatherapy. As her first two introductions, Gentile has chosen Steam Scalp Oils 1 and 2, both of which incorporate not only aromatherapy but also specific moisturizing and protective ingredients.
Gentile originally created the scalp oils as treatments in her spa, but recently did more research on how to enhance their efficacy. The Steam Scalp Oil begins with a base of jojoba oil and uses the same aromatherapy scents as it had in the past. The difference is the proprietary blend of antioxidants to help heal the hair follicles from free radical damage while moisturizing the scalp.
Both oils share the same active base ingredients made different by an infusion of two different essential oil blends creating two distinctive scents.
Simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil is formulated into the oils for its liquid was esters. The oil is un-refined, expeller pressed, and cultivated without the use of pesticides. The significant quantity of liquid wax esters are found to be similar to the natural esters produced by human sebaceous glands, thereby helping the oil moisturize. Due to the purity of extraction, all of the natural tocopherols remain in the oil and it provides conditioning to the skin and scalp.
The product also incorporate pomegranate-rich sterols extracted from pomegranate oil that are high in tannins and linolenic acid. The sterol increases hydration, enhances barrier function and provides exceptional moisturization. Since the sterol is capable of holding more than double its weight in water, it acts as a delivery system holding water on the surface of the skin. The sterol acts as a useful replacement for synthetic materials like petroleum, mineral oil, and animal derived ingredients such as lanolin, which create moisture and suppleness to the skin.
A plant phytosterol derived from the acai berry is also incorporated. The dark purple fruit of the acai has been used for centuries in Brazil and contains more than ten times the antioxidant levels found in grapes or green tea. When used in cosmetics, it acts as a powerful free radical scavenger and also contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycerin (and) Moringa pterygosperma (moringa) seed extract is used to protect the hair. The crushed seeds of the moringa are known to have a purifying and cleansing effect and when used in hair care. The extract protects the hair against environmental pollutants and UV damage which strengthens and conditions the hair and scalp.
The Steam Scalp Oil #1 incorporates an essential oil blend of orange, rose, mandarin and ylang ylang while the Steam Scalp Oil #2 utilizes an essential oil blend of sandalwood, frankincense, black pepper and jasmine.