What are Essential Oils and why we use them?
Essential oils are natural oils are extracted from plants, flowers and leaves, either through steam distillation or cold pressing. These methods of extraction produce a concentrated mixture which intensifies the scent of the oil. Many essential oils are used as ingredients in skincare products such as creams, deodorants, and face wash. One of the reasons that essential oils are so popular is because of their unique scents which elevate the appeal of the products they are used in.
Essential oils are volatile liquid compounds that evaporate quickly when applied onto the skin. They must be mixed with carrier oils to increase their absorbability and viscosity before topical application. Essential oils have soothing and relaxing properties that are calming for skincare concerns. Moreover, oils calm dryness, acne, itchiness and have the ability to tone combination skin. These are known to improve the skin’s health and leave it looking naturally glowing.
Would you like to know some uses of popular essential oils for healthy skin?
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil which is obtained through steam distillation from the Australian Melaleucaalternifolia tree. For centuries, it has been used by the Australian Aboriginals who would crush the leaves of the tree and use their essence for their soothing properties. It is known to relax acne-prone skin because of its purifying properties. It helps cleanse clogged pores that can lead to breakouts. Because tea tree is a strong oil, its properties are enhanced when it is added to water for washing. The areas that have been affected by acne can be washed with this dilution with water. It also works well when it is blended with other oils like peppermint.
To Calm Acne-Prone Skin:
• Add two drops of tea tree oil
• Add two tablespoons of organic coconut oil
• Add two drops of peppermint essential oil
• Gently dab the oil with the palm of your hand onto the surface of the skin
• Leave to dry for two to three hours.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is extracted from peppermint leaves through steam distillation process. Peppermint oil is used to perfume many skincare products such as ointments and creams because of its fresh fragrance. The Romans were obsessed with perfuming their bodies and so they used peppermint and other scented oils in their traditional massages and baths. Aside from simply smelling good, peppermint oil is also beneficial to the skin. One of the benefits of peppermint oil is that it contains menthol which has a cooling effect. Therefore, when it is applied on the skin, it produces a calming effect for skincare concerns like redness. It also has antioxidants properties that boost the skin’s health.
To Make a Facial Mist for the Skin:
• Add one cup of water
• Add five teaspoons of peppermint essential oil
• Add five teaspoons of lavender essential oil
• Add the mist to a bottle with a spray nozzle
• Spritz the mist onto the skin and leave to dry overnight.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is obtained from the Lavandulaangustifolia plant and has hydrating properties. This oil moisturizes the skin by promoting water retention. It soothes dry, itchy and troubled skin. Lavender oil can relax the effects of acne breakouts and redness. Its antioxidant properties help protect the skin from the damaging effects of pollutants and free radicals in the environment. This oil can be dabbed onto the face and neck to for a moisturizing effect.
To Soothe Dry Skin:
• Add one tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
• Add two drops of lavender essential oil
• Add one drop of frankincense essential oil
• Pour the mixture into a cotton cloth and dab onto the skin gently
• Leave the mixture to dry for up to two hours.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is obtained from the dried leaves of rosemary. This oil was widely used for its cleansing properties in the Renaissance period in Europe. Rosemary oil is used for oily skin because it contains certain esters that soothe oily skin. Alongside calming excessively oily skin, rosemary oil can also be used to purify congested pores Rosemary oil also has antioxidant properties that can calm the effects of aging. Moreover, it can soothe puffiness in the skin which occurs due to excess water retention.
To Relax Oily Skin:
• Add one tablespoon of organic coconut oil
• Add two drops of rosemary essential oil
• Add one drop of peppermint essential oil
• After topical application, leave to dry overnight
