| Looking for that perfect skin product? One that will | | | | which has a significant quantities of gamma-linolenic |
| keep your skin looking great, smells great, is appealing | | | | acid, an important essential fatty acid. Evening |
| to apply, has actual 'therapeutic' effects, and doesn't | | | | Primrose oil has been used to support skin conditions |
| break the bank? Look no further than aromatherapy. | | | | such as psoriasis and eczema, and may help |
| Creating a wonderful blend just for your skin type with | | | | premature skin aging. Finally, Hazelnut oil is possibly the |
| the magic of potent natural botanicals is fun and | | | | most commonly used base oil for skin care; it is gentle, |
| rewarding in more ways than one. Essential oils are | | | | has little aroma, and is suitable for all skin types. Often, |
| widely used in natural medicine, and some are | | | | small amounts of Rosehip seed and/or Evening |
| well-known for their skin rejuvenating effects. | | | | Primrose oil will be included in a blend, with Hazelnut oil |
| While some of the most highly regarded therapeutic | | | | comprising the majority of the carrier mixture. |
| grade oils may seem expensive at first, they are | | | | Here are several blends categorized by skin type to |
| effective in such small concentrations as to really | | | | get you started. For normal skin, used at any time: In |
| make them worthwhile. And their efficacy is | | | | each ounce of Hazelnut Oil, add 15 drops Thyme |
| well-known; that's why so many laboratory-made | | | | Linalool, 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone, 15 drops |
| preparations use components of essential oils in their | | | | Neroli, and 15 drops Spike Lavender; this blend can |
| formulas. With a one or two ounce bottle to mix in, and | | | | work well for acne with it's antiseptic properties, but is |
| an eye dropper, you can easily mix your own blend | | | | an excellent tonic for all skin types. |
| with the aroma and actions you desire most. | | | | If your skin has been chemically damaged, is |
| There are a few essential oils and carriers that are | | | | overly-sensitive, or otherwise 'weakened' with broken |
| highly regarded in natural beauty and skin care. With | | | | capillaries, try this mixture, applying frequently: For each |
| these, and perhaps one or two extra ingredients, you | | | | ounce of base oil, use three parts Hazelnut, one part |
| can make effective (and very pleasant smelling) | | | | Rosehip Seed, and one part Evening Primrose. Add |
| recipes for a wide variety of skin conditions. | | | | the following essential oils: fifteen drops Moroccan |
| The short list of essential oils for skin care - | | | | Chamomile, fifteen drops Helichrysum, fifteen drops |
| Helichrysum (also known as Everlasting) is one of the | | | | true Lavender, and fifteen drops Roman Chamomile. |
| strongest anti-inflammatory oils known in | | | | The Helichrysum, Lavender and Rosehip seed will |
| aromatherapy. It is also very high in regenerative | | | | enhance the skin's own natural metabolism, and the |
| ketones; compounds which stimulate the regeneration | | | | addition of the Chamomiles will greatly reduce |
| of skin cells. Rosemary Verbenone serves a similar | | | | inflammation that is found with almost all damage and |
| function, being thought to enhance metabolic functioning | | | | or aging. |
| in the dermis layer, increasing circulation and the | | | | If your skin is prone to acne, or has over-active |
| elimination of waste products. Lavender has properties | | | | sebaceous glands, the following blend can be of great |
| similar to Helichrysum, with a wonderful, relaxing aroma; | | | | assistance. It contains regenerative, antiseptic, and |
| it can bring synergy to a combination of oils and is | | | | cleansing oils. Simply use Hazelnut as the base, and to |
| thought to keep the skin in a balanced, healthy | | | | each ounce include fifteen drops of Green Myrtle or |
| condition. Carrot Seed essential oil is also regenerating, | | | | Inula graveolens, fifteen drops Eucalyptus dives |
| bringing life to tired, pallid skin. Palmarosa essential oil | | | | (because of the ketones in this oil, it should not be used |
| can be included for it's pleasing aroma and anti-septic | | | | if pregnant - or under 10 years of age - but is |
| effects; Niaouli is also recommended for the same | | | | otherwise considered safe), fifteen drops Spike |
| reasons, along with it's skin-firming properties. | | | | Lavender, and fifteen drops Rosemary verbenone. |
| This is only a few of the many essential oils included in | | | | If your skin has no particular 'condition', but appears |
| skin formulas, though these are considered among the | | | | tired, lifeless, pallid, or 'worn out', try mixing one-fifth |
| most important for their broad range of effects. | | | | ounce of Rosehip Seed and four-fifths ounce Hazelnut |
| Almost any essential oil can be added to a blend in | | | | oil. Then add 15 drops each of Carrot Seed essential |
| balanced quantities. In many cases, oils are added as | | | | oil (also known as Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot), |
| much for their lovely aroma as their direct therapeutic | | | | Lemon verbena (which helps the skin detoxify), Niaouli |
| benefits to skin tissue. Many aromatherapists, and | | | | (gently tightening the skin), and Rosemary verbenone - |
| natural health professionals for that matter, consider | | | | this creates an excellent restorative blend. For aging |
| the overall mental and emotional condition to be of | | | | skin needing firming that can be used around the eyes |
| primary importance in creating an appearance of | | | | - try this more gentle variety: Mix in five ounces of |
| fitness and beauty. Many citrus and floral oils are used | | | | Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, add |
| for this reason - Neroli, distilled from the flowers of the | | | | fifteen drops of each of Myrtle essential oil (green), |
| bitter orange tree, is an often used example. Others | | | | Cistus or Rock Rose and Rosemary. |
| are Jasmine, Sandalwood (very popular in Men's skin | | | | So there are a few tried-and-true aromatherapy skin |
| care), Geranium and Ylang Ylang. | | | | care blends to use in your natural beauty regime. You |
| Essential oils, be they for direct effects on skin | | | | can easily mix and match the oils described to create |
| metabolism, or for the overall state of wellness of the | | | | your own blend, and add any oils you really like the |
| user, will be diluted in a carrier oil, sometimes known as | | | | aroma of (be aware that a FEW essential oils are |
| a base oil. It is important to note that diluting the oils will | | | | VERY strong, and should not be used on the skin - the |
| often actually enhance their effects; essential oils are | | | | more common of these include Cinnamon, Clove, |
| often too strong to be used directly, and many studies | | | | Oregano, and Red Thyme - consult with a |
| have shown increased efficacy in dilutions down to 1% | | | | knowledgeable practitioner if you are unsure about the |
| or less of the total formula. The carrier oils serve | | | | safety of any oil). A word about purchasing oils for |
| several other functions as well; they "carry" the | | | | your blends - do NOT use anything labeled as a |
| essential oils into the skin, increasing their total | | | | 'fragrance oil' - these are synthetic reproductions of |
| absorption. They also nourish the middle and lower | | | | essential oils that will likely cause an allergic reaction. |
| layers of the skin with essential fatty acids or EFA's - | | | | DO seek out a reputable source. And oils, like wine, do |
| compounds now considered critical to the health of all | | | | vary greatly from maker to maker. A higher price can |
| living tissues. Further, some carrier oils have vitamin | | | | mean a significantly nicer oil (though not always) - one |
| analogs which assist in skin regeneration and repair. | | | | that is sweeter, or more well-rounded - only a few oils |
| A few of the most important carrier oils include the | | | | should smell 'medicinal' - Spike Lavender is a little |
| following: Rosehip Seed Oil is highly regarded for it's | | | | 'camphorus' in general - but a good Rosemary |
| regenerating effects for skin which has been | | | | verbenone should have a very appealing scent . |
| over-exposed to the sun or has other damage. It | | | | Despite the initial outlay, you are more likely to continue |
| includes a variety of Vitamin A which acts to increase | | | | to use a blend that you really like the aroma of, and |
| cellular turnover, similar to Retin-A without the | | | | that has therapeutic effects. Though once you find the |
| over-drying side effects. Numerous scientific studies | | | | oils you adore, you're more than likely to continue the |
| have validated this oil's positive effects on damaged or | | | | practice of making your own blends for some time to |
| prematurely aged skin. Next is Evening Primrose Oil, | | | | come. |