August
The aim of any natural therapy is to restore balance to the body - the same is true in using essential oils for skin care. With natural aromatherapy oils and ‘base’ ingredients, you can support and nourish the skin in a way superior to any synthetic product. While dramatic results can sometimes be seen with skin care ingredients made in a laboratory, natural botanicals can, when properly blended and applied, support long-lasting change without harsh chemical side effects.
Basic (yet very effective) aromatherapy blends for your skin will use some formula of essential oils from plants and flowers, based in a nutritive carrier oil, usually a seed or nut oil. These types of blends provide the powerful therapeutic healing effects of essential oils with the nutritive essential fatty acids of the carriers. Making your own blends is a very simple process; simply measure the proper amounts of carrier oils into a one, two, or four ounce mixing bottle (one with an eye dropper top are best, providing an easy way to dispense the blend) and add the essential oils, mixing as you go.
There are a few essential oils most often used in skin care recipes - you can pick and choose from among these depending on your desired results. Other essential oils may be added to enhance the aroma of your blend; many oils used to do so are also are know to relieve tension or bring about a healthy state of mind - and most natural clinicians will tell you that beauty starts from the inside-out. So make something you love the smell of that also helps your skin glow!
The short list of essential oils for skin care - Helichrysum (also known as Everlasting) is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory oils known in aromatherapy. It is also very high in regenerative ketones; compounds which stimulate the regeneration of skin cells. Rosemary Verbenone serves a similar function, being thought to enhance metabolic functioning in the dermis layer, increasing circulation and the elimination of waste products. Lavender has properties similar to Helichrysum, with a wonderful, relaxing aroma; it can bring synergy to a combination of oils and is thought to keep the skin in a balanced, healthy condition. Carrot Seed essential oil is also regenerating, bringing life to tired, pallid skin. Palmarosa essential oil can be included for it’s pleasing aroma and anti-septic effects; Niaouli is also recommended for the same reasons, along with it’s skin-firming properties.
This includes only a few of the more commonly used essential oils in skin care formulations. Many oils not listed here have properties which can be highly effective for particular skin conditions - further investigation with the specifics of your skin type will likely uncover these for you. Of course, other oils can be added to your blends simply for their pleasing scent; Neroli and Petitgrain, distilled from the flowers and leaves of the bitter orange tree, are often included for this reason.
On to the base ingredients, the carrier oils. These oils serve several functions - they bring the essential oils into the skin, rather than evaporating in to the air. They supply the skin with essential fatty acids - nutrients that the body cannot make, yet are critical to optimal skin health. Finally, some have their own therapeutic healing properties similar to the essential oils.
Some of the carrier oils often found in skin formulations include Hazelnut, Rosehip seed, and Evening Primrose. Hazelnut is a very gentle oil with little aroma of it’s own, and being suitable for virtually all skin types, it use used in a vast number of blends as the primary carrier. To this, Rosehip seed oil is added for it’s concentration of triple-unsaturated fatty acids, and it’s natural trans-retinoic acid; a vitamin-A compound similar in effects to Retin-A without drying side effects. Evening Primrose is often also included in lower concentrations for it’s high levels of GLA or gamma-linolenic acid, and is considered important in cases of eczema and skin showing signs of premature aging.
Making your own blends with these ingredients is truly a fun and rewarding experience - you only need a bottle to mix them in, and some means of counting out drops of essential oil. An eye dropper works wonderfully, and graduated plastic pipettes are readily available. A basic blend to begin with, which is designed for overall health of the skin, is made thusly: to one ounce of Hazelnut Oil, add fifteen drops Thyme Linalool, fifteen drops Rosemary Verbenone, fifteen drops Neroli (or a high-quality Petitgrain if you prefer - it is much less expensive with many of the same properties), and fifteen drops Spike Lavender (a Lavender with strong antiseptic qualities - a little more ‘medicinal’ than the sweeter True lavender). This blend was originally formulated to clear up oily skin, but is now used to support normal skin in daily application.
If your skin has been chemically damaged, is overly-sensitive, or otherwise ‘weakened’ with broken capillaries, try this mixture, applying frequently: For each ounce of base oil, use three parts Hazelnut, one part Rosehip Seed, and one part Evening Primrose. Add the following essential oils: fifteen drops Moroccan Chamomile, fifteen drops Helichrysum, fifteen drops true Lavender, and fifteen drops Roman Chamomile. The Helichrysum, Lavender and Rosehip seed will enhance the skin’s own natural metabolism, and the addition of the Chamomiles will greatly reduce inflammation that is found with almost all damage and/or aging.
For excessively oily and acne-prone skin, in one ounce of Hazelnut oil, add 15 drops Green Myrtle, 15 drops Eucalyptus Dives, 15 drops Spike Lavender, and 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone. The Myrtle in this blend dissolves sebum clogging skin pores, while the Eucalyptus Dives calms the hyperactive sebaceous glands.
If your skin doesn’t have particular damage to it, but appears lifeless due to exhaustion and/or exposure to significant amounts of pollution or environmental toxins, this is the blend for you. Use one part Rosehip Seed and 4 parts Hazelnut as the base. To each ounce, include fifteen drops Carrot Seed (also known as Wild Carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace - a well known skin restorative), fifteen drops Lemon verbena (which enhances the removal of toxins from skin tissues), fifteen drops Niaouli (an all-around brilliant antiseptic oil with firming effects), and fifteen drops Rosemary verbenone (again, for it’s regenerative and stimulating effects). If you are wishing to strengthen, tighten, and firm your skin, try this dilute mixture (the concentration of essential oils is relatively low here for use near the eyes) five ounces of Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, fifteen drops of Green Myrtle, fifteen drops of Rock Rose (a plant grown in very sun-drenched areas, excellent for gently tightening the skin). If you like, add fifteen drops of Rosemary verbenone for it’s regenerative properties, but omit if this causes sensitivity used near the eyes.
So there are a few tried-and-true aromatherapy skin care blends to use in your natural beauty regime. You can easily mix and match the oils described to create your own blend, and add any oils you really like the aroma of (be aware that a FEW essential oils are VERY strong, and should not be used on the skin - the more common of these include Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, and Red Thyme - consult with a knowledgeable practitioner if you are unsure about the safety of any oil). A word about purchasing oils for your blends - do NOT use anything labeled as a ‘fragrance oil’ - these are synthetic reproductions of essential oils that will likely cause an allergic reaction. DO seek out a reputable source. And oils, like wine, do vary greatly from maker to maker. A higher price can mean a significantly nicer oil (though not always) - one that is sweeter, or more well-rounded - only a few oils should smell ‘medicinal’ - Spike Lavender is a little ‘camphorus’ in general - but a good Rosemary verbenone should have a very appealing scent . Despite the initial outlay, you are more likely to continue to use a blend that you really like the aroma of, and that has therapeutic effects. Though once you find the oils you adore, you’re more than likely to continue the practice of making your own blends for some time to come.
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