From the Greek, ‘Helios’ meaning ‘sun’ and ‘Chrysos’ meaning ‘golden’, Italian Helichrysum – also known as Immortelle – provides us with a precious essential oil offering a multitude of benefits. It is in Corsica, amidst magnificent, unspoilt natural surroundings, that we meet Stéphane, a producer and distiller of Italian Helichrysum essential oil and hydrolat for Aroma-Zone. A meeting amidst the heady scents of the Helichrysum fields, to discover exceptional expertise and an extraordinary plant.


Stéphane’s fields of Italian Helichrysum

It is under the sun of Haute-Corse, amidst its vast fields of golden yellow, that we meet Stéphane, who has been producing and distilling Italian Helichrysum essential oil for over 20 years. He cultivates Corsican Immortelle organically with passion, expertise and respect, alongside 14 varieties of aromatic and medicinal plants. Committed to farming practices that preserve biodiversity, he bans pesticides, practises mixed cropping and does not use irrigation to conserve water resources.


“We grow Helichrysum italicum. The name comes from Greek; ‘Helios’ means ‘sun’.” Stéphane Acquarone


Helichrysum grows wild in the Corsican maquis and on rocky, sun-drenched ground. When cultivated, it requires more care and close monitoring, as Stéphane explains. Planting is done by hand, after which the grower monitors the flowering process very closely before a delicate harvest in June. When fully ripe, the flower gives off an unmistakable scent, typical of the Corsican maquis, with notes of honey, hay and curry.


The flowers are then sorted and prepared before being distilled in large stills using steam extraction. Once distillation is complete, Stéphane collects the precious organic Italian Helichrysum essential oil from Corsica and the organic Italian Helichrysum hydrosol from Corsica.


The quality of an essential oil depends on its terroir, its cultivation methods and the expertise applied during distillation. Stéphane and his team ensure a lengthy distillation process in order to extract all the active ingredients from the immortelle. It takes around 900 kg of flowering tops to produce 1 kg of essential oil, making it an extremely precious skincare ingredient.

An essential oil with an exceptional composition

The Corsican terroir produces some of the finest Italian Helichrysum (Immortelle) essential oils, both in terms of their scent and their molecular composition. This Helichrysum essential oil has a biochemical composition unique to the Corsican biotope:

  • a high content of italidiones (rare diterpene ketones) (> 8 per cent), traditionally reputed to be effective against knocks, bumps and bruises. In addition to their purifying and restorative properties, these molecules are also beneficial for reducing diffuse redness.

  • a high percentage of neryl acetate (> 30%), an ester with soothing properties, which also acts as a mood-enhancing compound. This essential oil thus helps to combat stress and anxiety, and to restore enthusiasm and joie de vivre.

  • It contains very little pinene (< 5%), making it an essential oil that is well tolerated by the skin. These numerous properties therefore make it an ingredient of choice for your formulations.


“Italian Helichrysum essential oil from Corsica is highly prized by aromatherapists, in cosmetics and even in perfumery”. Stéphane Acquarone


This exceptional composition ensures its unrivalled effectiveness and makes it a highly versatile essential oil in aromatherapy.


There are many Helichrysum essential oils on the market, from a wide variety of geographical origins. Corsican Immortelle essential oil is the variety Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum. This should not be confused with the variety Helichrysum italicum ssp serotinum, which is increasingly cultivated due to its higher yield, and which is found in particular in Italian Helichrysum essential oils originating from the Balkans; however, these have a slightly different composition and therefore do not possess the same efficacy.

Italian Helichrysum (Immortelle) essential oil

Known for its healing properties for bruises and bumps, Italian Helichrysum (or Immortelle) essential oil is traditionally used to treat minor injuries. Italian Helichrysum essential oil also helps to even out skin prone to redness. With its astringent properties, it can be used in firming and soothing facial and body treatments.

Discover Italian Helichrysum (Immortelle) essential oil

The aptly named Immortelle

An essential item in any natural first-aid kit, Italian Helichrysum essential oil is the ‘SOS’ remedy for all minor niggles. It also offers anti-ageing benefits in cosmetics and its warm, sweet and spicy fragrance in fine perfumery. Let’s take a look at its benefits:

Your ally in times of shock

A natural painkiller, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-oedema, decongestant, wound-healing and circulatory properties. It is therefore no surprise that it is highly effective at reducing bruises, lumps and haematomas (whether old or new). It prevents the formation of haematomas and soothes physical injuries, whether to joints, muscles, skin or bones.

To relieve heavy legs

Its properties – which promote circulation, relieve congestion and improve blood flow – make it an essential oil particularly well-suited for treating heavy legs, varicose veins, phlebitis and poor circulation.

A versatile and regenerating beauty ingredient

Used in skincare, Italian Helichrysum essential oil offers antibacterial and antifungal properties (linked to geranyl acetate), combined with the powerful healing properties of the italidione molecule. When incorporated into a facial oil or cream, Italian Helichrysum essential oil reduces and prevents wrinkles, rosacea and acne.

Soothes emotional wounds

A veritable ray of sunshine in a bottle, Italian Helichrysum essential oil from Corsica also works in olfactotherapy to influence the psycho-emotional sphere. In cases of separation, bereavement, grief, emotional trauma or childhood wounds, it helps to heal the ‘bruises of the soul’ and overcome difficult situations.

Precautions for using Italian Helichrysum essential oil

  • Not to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 6 years of age, or people with epilepsy.

  • Internal use is restricted to therapists; use only as a short-term course of treatment.

  • Avoid use in people taking anticoagulant medication.

  • Avoid contact with the eyes.

Organic Italian Helichrysum hydrosol from Corsica

Stéphane also produces an Immortelle hydrosol, obtained by steam distillation of his Helichrysum flowers in his large stills. This organic Italian Helichrysum floral water offers benefits similar to those of Italian Helichrysum essential oil, with the gentleness of a hydrosol. It is ideal for skincare, but also for soothing children’s minor niggles.


With its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, this hydrolat can be used as a compress on bruises, bumps and minor haematomas. Sprayed onto heavy legs, it helps restore a feeling of lightness.


Used as a facial toner, it soothes irritated skin (after shaving, psoriasis, eczema, skin allergies) and calms redness and rosacea. With its wound-healing properties, it is also an excellent hydrosol for mature skin. Finally, it can be applied to soothe tired eyes and reduce dark circles.



Organic Italian Helichrysum Hydrosol from Corsica

Highly renowned for its toning and soothing properties, this hydrosol is used to formulate skincare products for delicate skin prone to redness, as well as treatments for light, refreshed legs. It is also an ideal active ingredient for mature skin.


Discover the Organic Italian Helichrysum Hydrosol from Corsica