We hear about the natural properties of essential oils and how they’re so amazing for our skin all the time. You’re probably wondering what they exactly do, how they actually benefit the skin, or you might even be asking what these essential oils are in the first place.
What are essential oils?
The first simple question. Essential oils are highly concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. They are also known as ethereal oils, volatile oils and aetherolea, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted. The oil contains the “essence of” the plant’s characteristic fragrance. They are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam, expression, solvent extraction or cold pressing. Oils are mostly used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and sometimes for flavoring food and drinks. They can also be used in aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine in which the aromatic compounds of essential oils can bring healing effects while also inducing relaxation. Many people use essential oils to help them sleep; it’s even proven that they lower anxiety levels.
It’s easy to assume that essential oils are gentle for our skin because of their all-natural characteristics. This isn’t the case at all- they are actually extremely powerful, potent, and should be handled with extra care. They must always be adequately diluted before applying them directly to the skin. A couple of drops go a long way!
Types of essential oils
Jojoba oil– a deeply moisturising oil that has the ability to lock in the moisture into the skin, so the skin stays hydrated all day long. It’s also antibacterial, so it helps with acne and blemishes.
Rosehip seed oil- is great at repairing and nourishing the skin and also helps regenerate the skin. It is used to give a glowy look to the face and helps protect from the sun, brightens and is also anti-aging. It’s truly amazing.
Lavender oil- lavender oil helps fight acne and scarring. It’s also widely known that the smell of lavender is very calming and helps you concentrate.
Frankincense oil- this oil is used mostly in aromatherapy, perfumery and skincare.
Carrot Seed oil- it has an earthy and woody sweet smell and is usually a yellowish colour. It can be made into a lotion and helps heal boils and ulcers.
Eucalyptus oil- it’s mostly used in medicine and aromatherapy, sometimes as a flavouring in food and beverages. It soothes, prevents infections and helps with colds.
Grapefruit oil- used to clear toxins, help with headaches, mental fatigue and even depression. It can naturally increase your energy levels and make you feel more awake thanks to its citrusy scent.
Peppermint oil- it helps with headaches, common colds, digestive problems, and other conditions. It’s also topically used for muscle aches, itching and other problems.
Geranium oil- this oil helps fight acne and also helps reduce hormonal imbalances and mood swings.
Tea tree oil- an amazing acne-fighting oil that’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also used for fungal infections, athlete’s foot, and for hair problems. It reduces swelling and swelling. It’s highly recommended that you dilute tea tree oil before applying it directly to the skin.
Chamomile oil- this oil can be diffused, applied to the skin topically and taken internally. It helps with anxiety and depression as well.
Basil oil- helps relieve stress, purifies blood, relieves itchy skin, helps promote healthy skin and may be used as a muscle relaxer.
Coconut oil- a very popular oil used on the skin, hair and body. It has proven to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s also edible and used in cooking.
Melissa oil- it has many therapeutic properties. It also kills bacteria, helps with depression and boosts skin health. Melissa essential oil is a very helpful stress reducer.
Lemongrass essential oil- this oil helps keep the skin’s oil levels at a norm and balances the level of sebum production. It also eases nausea and helps with stress. It’s also recommended to dilute this oil before applying it to the skin.
Helichrysum oil– it’s recommended for acne-prone skin and cleanses the skin incredibly well. It’s also known for healing scars and stimulating cell growth. It can be a game-changer for those suffering with cystic acne or damaged skin.
Sandalwood oil- a great oil for relaxation and helps with mental clarity, acne, coughs, eczema and urinary tract infections.
Tangerine oil- it has antiseptic and antifungal properties that help fight acne and help reduce the signs of premature aging.
Skincare recipes
When it comes to actually using these essential oils and incorporating them into your skincare routine, it’s important to be cautious and use them in the right proportions. Essential oils are strong, and when used in large amounts or even too often they can do more harm than good.
Here a few different ways you can create serums or sprays and use them depending on your needs:
Rosemary oil for deep cleansing
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 6 drops of rosemary oil
Mix the aloe vera gel and oil. Apply it all over your face and massage it for a while. Leave it on the skin for about 15-20 minutes and rinse it off. You can do this cleansing daily since it isn’t irritating for the skin.
Neroli oil for antifungal benefits
- 1 cup of rosewater
- 1 tablespoon freshly scooped aloe vera
- 10 drops of neroli oil
Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz the mist all over your face after a shower or whenever you wash your face. You can repeat this every day.
Pomegranate oil for aging skin
- 1 tablespoon of pomegranate oil
- 1 teaspoon of rosehip oil
- 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 5 drops of carrot seed oil
Mix all the oils. Blend them well and store in a jar. Massage the mix onto your face before bed and wash it off the next morning. You can do this every night or every other night.
Cinnamon oil for skin inflammation
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 10 drops of cinnamon oil
Mix the oil with honey and apply onto the face or only the affected area. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash it off. You can repeat this process until the inflammation goes away.
Carrot seed oil for healthy skin
- 2 drops of carrot seed oil
- 2 drops of lemon oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 2 drops of frankincense oil
Mix the oils in the butter and blend them very well. Apply this to the face and neck at night after washing the face. Wash it off the next morning.
Lemon oil for an energy boost
- 20 drops of lemon oil
- ½ cup of safflower oil
Blend the two oils and store them in a bottle. Before bed, massage the oils onto your face, neck and body. Wash it off in the morning. This process can be repeated every night.
Frankincense oil for nourished skin
- 1 tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil
- 4 drops of frankincense oil
Blend the coconut oil with the frankincense oil. Store the moisturiser in a container and keep it in a cool, dry place. Apply it after washing your face. This can be repeated twice a day.
Under eye cream
- 10 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 1 ounce of pure aloe vera gel
- 1 ounce of organic shea butter
- 1 ounce of melted coconut oil
- ½ tablespoon of vitamin E oil
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in a glass jar with a lid and use around your eyes in the morning and evening.
Refreshing face scrub
- 1 and ¼ cups coconut sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
Blend the ingredients well. Apply to clean face in circular motions for a minute or so. Rinse and pat dry the face. Store the rest in a glass jar. Use this scrub once or twice a week.
Softening body wash
- 3 cups of water
- ¼ cup steel cut oats
- ¼ cup liquid castile soap
- 12 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Boil the water and pour over the oats in a bowl. Let it sit for 2 hours and strain the water off. Set the water aside and discard the oats. Mix the castile oil, lavender oil, avocado oil and vitamin E with a whisk. Fill a soap dispenser 10% with the oil mixture. Fill the rest of it with the oatmeal infused water. Wash your body daily with this mixture.
Moisturising skin solution
- 6 drops of lavender oil
- 3 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Use daily as needed to reduce dry patches and moisturise the skin.
Peppermint foot scrub
- 1 cup of salt (any type you prefer)
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
Combine the salt and baking soda. Add essential oil by the drops so it doesn’t cause the salt to clump. Stir and store in a container. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes in warm water. Add some of the scrub to the water.
Lavender mint body butter
- 3 ounces of refined shea butter
- 0.25 ounces of cocoa butter
- 0.25 ounces of emulsifying wax
- 0.25 ounces of hemp seed oil
- 0.25 ounces of fractionated coconut oil
- 0.05 ounces of white kaolin clay
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 40 drops of lavender essential oil
Weight out the shea butter, cocoa butter and emulsifying wax. Combine in a medium glass bowl then heat in a microwave until melted. Make sure you microwave the butter at a low temperature, so it doesn’t turn grainy. Stir in the hemp seed oil and coconut oil. Measure out the lavender and peppermint essential oil and stir into the melted body butter mixture. Add the clay into the wet ingredients. Place the body butter into the refrigerator or freezer just until it starts to solidify. Then remove and whisk to reincorporate the clay evenly throughout the body butter. You can also whip in the lavender oil at this point. Spoon the body butter into a container, and it’s ready to use!
Dry skin rescue oil
- 1 ounce baobab oil
- ½ ounce shea nut oil
- ½ ounce beeswax
- 9 drops of orange essential oil
- 6 drops of ginger essential oil
- 1-2 of vitamin E oil (optional)
Combine the beeswax, shea nut oil and baobab oil. Gently heat it until the beeswax has melted. Use a dropper to add the vitamin E oil along with the orange and ginger essential oils. Stir well. Once it’s hardened, it’s ready to use. You can also apply this mixture to chapped lips.
