We all know by now how natural ingredients can do our skin (and our body) good. But did you know that sometimes, just the essence or scent of these ingredients is enough to make an impact on our skin?
That’s what aromatherapy is all about—the use of natural oils derived from plants and herbs to help alter a person’s mind, mood, and health. Once exclusively used by spas and masseuses, many people are now turning to essential oils to help with certain skin problems. In fact, many beauty product companies have started incorporating essential oils in their products.
Interested in concocting your own aromatherapy-infused beauty product? It’s as easy as adding a few drops to your lotion, moisturiser, or any other product you have on hand. Be sure to get 100% essential oils though, and not scented or fragrance oils, as these aren’t pure enough to be infused into beauty products. Don’t be discouraged by the steep price of oils—you’re paying for quality, and a small bottle of an essential oil goes a long way.
Now, before customising your own body lotion or perfume, keep in mind that oils are about ten times more powerful than the plant or herb it was derived from—so use them sparingly. When adding oils to lotion, for example, start out with only a few drops (about 5 to 10) and sniffing the end product before adding some more. It’s easier to add more oil if you feel the scent is too weak.
Also, don’t take oils internally—keep them away from your eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and other sensitive parts of your body. Lastly, take caution with handling or using aromatherapy oils when pregnant. Some oils may not be safe for women with a bun in the oven.
Lavender. Notice how many nighttime-use products contain lavender? That’s because studies have shown that lavender can help treat depression, insomnia, headaches, and even PMS. Lavender is also one of the essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin, as this helps treat inflammation caused by sun damage and burns. This is a wonderful oil to add to products you apply at night, since its soothing properties can easily help you drift off to la-la land. Lavender can be quite drying though, so if you plan to apply it directly to your skin, use sparingly.
Geranium. Taken from the rose geranium plant, geranium oil is great for those with combination or oily skin, as it has the capacity to balance the production of sebum (oil) in the skin. Because of this, skin becomes more elastic, making it firmer and toned. And since this oil stimulates the lymphatic system, it also relieves water retention and swelling, which can prevent and lighten the appearance of cellulite on the skin. An added bonus is that geranium contains cicatrisant properties, which promotes the healing of cuts, bruises, and even eczema!
Carrot Seed. Carrots are good for your eye sight, but they’re also good for your skin! Carrot seed oil is rich in beta carotene and vitamins B, C, D, and E, and makes for a wonderful skin rejuvenator as it stimulates cell growth. It also makes for a great ingredient in products targeted to improve dehydrated, tired, aging skin. Carrot seed oil not only improves skin complexion, but it also strengthens red blood cells, which helps increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Chamomile. You probably know chamomile best in its tea form, which helps soothe and calm your nerves. But chamomile is great for inflamed skin as well, especially acne and rashes. That’s because chamomile contains phenolic derivatives, which possesses certain healing qualities and doubles as an antiseptic. The flavonoids in chamomile also help strengthen the skin, as it promotes granulation and cell regeneration.
Tea tree. Aboriginal tribes in Australia have known about the benefits of tea tree oil for thousands of years—they’ve been using it to treat mouth ulcers and abscesses, as well as boils, psoriasis, thrush, and other wounds. That’s because tea tree oil has powerful anti-viral and anti-fungal properties that, at the same time, help stimulate the immune system. Look out for tea tree oil in products for treating dandruff, candidiasis, and even sun burns. This oil is also great for treating acne—studies have shown that it’s just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, with the added bonus of not causing any redness or peeling of the skin.
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