According to St. Ives "Apricot Oil is known to hydrate and nourish the skin." Using fruit and other essential oils on the skin is a very very old practice. It might or might not have any actual merit to it. There is some science of the benefits of the topical application of at least one essential oil, tea tree oil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_tree_oil

Tea tree, Manuka, is so great. Grows fast, looks good, smells great, makes excellent fire wood and the honey is showing more and more interesting properties. I need to buy a few more!