Essential OILS for skin
Essential oils are pure plant based oils that offer a variety of therapeutic, psychological and physical benefits.
Each essential oil has unique characteristics and promote healing if you know how to use them.
Let's discover the world of aromatherapy...
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are aromatic liquids obtained from flowers, trees, seeds, leaves, stems, grasses, fruits, and roots. They are highly concentrated and do not contain artificial fragrances, like perfumes or fragrance oils.
A plant's pure essence can be obtained by steam distillation, but also by solvent extraction or cold expression. Different methods are used to preserve the true essence of the plants. For example, the use of heat can alter the composition of citrus fruits. That's why it is better to express the essential oil from the peel of a citrus fruit without using any heat.
How to use them?
Diffusion
8-10 drops in an oil burner with water.
Massage
10-12 drops for every 2 tablespoons of carrier oil or lotion.
1 drop on your index finger and rub on temples or back of your neck (not for all oils).
Bathing
10 drops in a warm bath.
Inhalation
5-6 drops in a hot bowl of water for a facial steam. Hold your head about 9 inches above the bowl, close your eyes, and inhale (for 10 minutes appr.).
Spray
30-40 drops in 100ml of water for a face/body spray.
60 drops in 100ml water for a room spray
Or even...
A few drops on a tissue... A few drops on the cotton pouch where you put your biodegradable Himalayan soap nuts for your laundry...
Essential oils should not be taken internally and extreme caution should be used with oils during pregnancy. Please consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils.
What are the most common essential oils used for skin care?
| essential oil | main skin benefits | emotional benefits | caution |
| bergamot | skin cleanser (psoriasis, shingles, oily skin, thrush, varicose veins, dry eczema) | uplifting, refreshing | do not apply before exposure to strong sunlight |
| cedarwood | skin cleanser (scalp problems, oily skin, psoriasis, inflamed skin) | calming | do not use during pregnancy |
| chamomile | irritated skin, psoriasis, rashes, shingles, inflamed skin, dry skin, sunburns, eczema (dry & wet) | relaxing, soothing | do not use during pregnancy |
| clary sage | pimples, oily skin, wrinkles | relaxing, warming | do not use during pregnancy |
| cypress | irritated skin, oily skin, varicose veins, warts | ||
| eucalyptus | shingles, thrush, eczema | cooling | do not use if you have high blood pressure |
| fennel | skin cleanser (wrinkles) | revitalizing | do not use during pregnancy |
| frankincense | skin tonic, astringent, scars (to prevent), irritated skin, warts, wrinkles | calming | |
| geranium | ringworms, shingles, irritated skin, dry skin, yeast infection, wrinkles, insect repellent, eczema (dry) | helps relieve anxiety | do not use during pregnancy |
| hyssop | eczema (dry & wet) | ||
| jasmine | irritated skin, oily & dry skin, warts | balancing, soothing | |
| juniper | varicose veins, eczema (wet) | calming | do not use during pregnancy |
| lavender | restorative, healing (psoriasis, rashes, ringworms, scars from burns, shingles, oily & dry skin, stretch marks, sunburns, thrush, varicose veins, warts, wrinkles, eczema (wet)) | relaxing, healing | do not use during pregnancy |
| lemon | skin cleanser, healing (oily & dry skin, varicose veins, warts, wrinkles) | uplifting | do not apply before strong exposure to sunlight |
| lemongrass | varicose veins, insect repellent | energizing | sensitive skin |
| marjoram | thrush | ||
| melaleuca | ringworms, shingles, sunburns, yeast infection | ||
| myrrh | chapped and cracked skin, ringworms, stretch marks, yeast infection, wrinkles, eczema (wet) | cooling | do not use during pregnancy |
| myrtle | antiseptic | ||
| orange | skin tonic and cleanser (oily skin, wrinkles) | soothing | do not apply before strong exposure to sunlight |
| oregano | warts, psoriasis, wrinkles | ||
| palma rosa | moisturizing (rash, scaly and flaky skin) | calming | |
| patchouli | oily hair and skin, irritated skin, dry skin, yeast infection, wrinkles, eczema | balancing | |
| peppermint | itchy skin, ringworms, varicose veins, insect repellent | reviving | |
| rose | scars (to prevent), thrush, wrinkles | relaxing | |
| rosemary | skin elasticity, ringworms, candida & vaginal candida, wrinkles, eczema (dry) | stimulating | do not use during pregnancy |
| rosewood | skin elasticity, candida, dry skin, insect repellent, eczema | ||
| sage | regenerates (eczema) | do not use during pregnancy | |
| sandalwood | regenerates (dehydrated skin, dry skin, wrinkles) | balancing | |
| tangerine | skin tonic and cleanser | soothing | do not apply before strong exposure to sunlight |
| tea tree | dry scalp | revitalizing | |
| thyme | psoriasis, insect repellent, ringworms, thrush, wrinkles | ||
| ylang ylang | oily skin | sensual |
