The Ingredient Library
Cypress
Cupressus sempervirens
Cypress essential oil is steam distilled from the needles and twigs of the Mediterranean cypress, the tall, narrow tree lining roads in Tuscany and Provence. It smells fresh, green and woody.
Get to know cypress essential oil
- Source
- Needles and twigs
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Extraction
- Steam distilled
- Aroma
- Fresh, green, woody
What it is
Cypress is an aromatic essential oil distilled from the plant.
Why it belongs in your routine
Fresh, green, woody oil distilled from Mediterranean cypress.
How to use
Always dilute in a carrier oil before it touches skin. Never use undiluted. Patch test first.
Where does cypress essential oil come from?
Cupressus sempervirens, the Mediterranean or Italian cypress, is an evergreen conifer native to the eastern Mediterranean and now planted around the whole region. It grows slowly to 20 to 30 metres, and the familiar narrow columnar form lines roads and cemeteries in Italy, France and Spain. Its tiny, scale-like leaves press flat against the twigs, and its round cones are woody and grey-brown when ripe.
Cypress essential oil is clear to pale yellow with a fresh, green, resinous and woody scent, often described as smoky and sweet in the dry down. It typically contains a high proportion of alpha-pinene and delta-3-carene, with cedrol in the heavier fraction. It is used in perfumery for fresh and woody notes, in men's fragrances, soaps, diffuser blends and massage blends.
Sourcing & extraction
How cypress essential oil is sourced and extracted
Why it is rare
Cypress trees grow slowly and yield only a small amount of oil from their foliage. Production is concentrated in a few Mediterranean countries, including France, Spain and Morocco, and relies on trimmings from established trees.
How it is gathered
Cypress foliage is usually cut from planted trees in southern France, Spain and Morocco, often during pruning of hedges, windbreaks and ornamental rows. Workers clip the leafy twigs by hand or with trimmers, avoiding thick branches. The trimmings are gathered and taken to nearby distilleries while still fresh. Some producers also include young cones with the twigs, which adds a slightly different character to the oil.
How it is made
Steam distilled from needles and twigs
- Leafy twigs are clipped from established trees, often as part of routine pruning and hedge trimming.
- The trimmings are chopped into shorter lengths and packed into the still while still fresh.
- Steam passes up through the foliage, carrying the volatile aromatic compounds into a condenser.
- The oil separates from the condensed water in a collecting vessel, and is drawn off and filtered.
How to use cypress essential oil
- Add a few drops to a diffuser for its aroma.
- For skin, dilute 1 to 2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil before applying.
- Keep away from eyes and never use undiluted on skin.
For external use only. Patch test on a small area before first use and stop if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition, ask a healthcare professional before use.
From ingredient to routine
Products with Cypress
Find this ingredient in our collection.
Questions about Cypress
Where does Cypress come from?
Cypress foliage is usually cut from planted trees in southern France, Spain and Morocco, often during pruning of hedges, windbreaks and ornamental rows. Workers clip the leafy twigs by hand or with trimmers, avoiding thick branches. The trimmings are gathered and taken to nearby distilleries while still fresh. Some producers also include young cones with the twigs, which adds a slightly different character to the oil.
How is Cypress extracted?
Steam distilled from needles and twigs. Leafy twigs are clipped from established trees, often as part of routine pruning and hedge trimming. The trimmings are chopped into shorter lengths and packed into the still while still fresh. Steam passes up through the foliage, carrying the volatile aromatic compounds into a condenser. The oil separates from the condensed water in a collecting vessel, and is drawn off and filtered.
Why is Cypress considered rare?
Cypress trees grow slowly and yield only a small amount of oil from their foliage. Production is concentrated in a few Mediterranean countries, including France, Spain and Morocco, and relies on trimmings from established trees.
