| Looking for that perfect skin product? One that will | | | | skin and for eczema - it has one of the highest known |
| keep your skin looking great, smells great, is appealing | | | | concentrations of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an |
| to apply, has actual 'therapeutic' effects, and doesn't | | | | essential fatty acid which may be crucial to optimal |
| break the bank? Look no further than aromatherapy. | | | | health. |
| Creating a wonderful blend just for your skin type with | | | | So there are the primary ingredients, and the reasons |
| the magic of potent natural botanicals is fun and | | | | behind them. With these, and a few of your own |
| rewarding in more ways than one. Essential oils are | | | | personal touches, you can create a great variety of |
| widely used in natural medicine, and some are | | | | blends. To go ahead and start mixing, acquire a one or |
| well-known for their skin rejuvenating effects. | | | | two ounce dark glass bottle to mix in, an eye dropper |
| While some of the most highly regarded therapeutic | | | | and a small funnel (you don't NEED this, it just makes |
| grade oils may seem expensive at first, they are | | | | the whole process a lot less messy). For the first |
| effective in such small concentrations as to really | | | | recipe, we'll start with a blend that's for daily use for all |
| make them worthwhile. And their efficacy is | | | | skin types. It's created to give the skin health and |
| well-known; that's why so many laboratory-made | | | | vitality, while keeping it clean and beautiful: Pour one |
| preparations use components of essential oils in their | | | | ounce of Hazelnut oil into your mixing bottle (double all |
| formulas. With a one or two ounce bottle to mix in, and | | | | the ingredients if you'd like to make two ounces). Add |
| an eye dropper, you can easily mix your own blend | | | | fifteen drops (about 2/3rds of a milliliter) Thyme |
| with the aroma and actions you desire most. | | | | essential oil of the Linalool chemotype (be sure to get |
| There are a few essential oils most often used in skin | | | | this kind, as other types of Thyme are to strong to use |
| care recipes - you can pick and choose from among | | | | on the skin). The add fifteen drops each of Rosemary |
| these depending on your desired results. Other | | | | verbenone, Neroli (or a high-quality Petitgrain - distilled |
| essential oils may be added to enhance the aroma of | | | | from the same plant as Neroli with a lower cost), Spike |
| your blend; many oils used to do so are also are know | | | | Lavender (almost a cross between true lavender and |
| to relieve tension or bring about a healthy state of | | | | sage - excellent for it's antiseptic properties). While |
| mind - and most natural clinicians will tell you that | | | | originally created as an acne-clearing blend, it did so |
| beauty starts from the inside-out. So make something | | | | well for so many folks it is now used as a basis for |
| you love the smell of that also helps your skin glow! | | | | healthy 'normal' skin as well. |
| These few primary skin care oils include the following: | | | | For overly sensitive and damaged skin (from |
| Helichrysum italicum - the oil of this flower is one of the | | | | chemicals or other means) and for skin with weak |
| most highly regarded in aromatherapy for it's great | | | | capillaries (showing spider veins may be a symptom), |
| versatility. It has a pleasant aroma, it contains rare | | | | start with a 5:1:1 ratio of Hazelnut, Rosehip Seed and |
| 'di-ketones' which stimulate the skin's natural | | | | Evening Primrose oils (3/5 ounce Hazelnut, and 1/5th |
| metabolism, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory (all | | | | each of the other oils). Add fifteen drops each of |
| tissue damage and aging is associated with | | | | German Chamomile, Helichrysum italicum, true |
| inflammation on a cellular level). Lavender oil - 'true' or | | | | Lavender, and Roman Chamomile. This blend will |
| 'French' Lavender is the most used oil in aromatherapy | | | | enhance the regenerative capability of the skin through |
| today because of it's great multitude of effects. Like | | | | the action of the Helichrysum and Rosehip seed, |
| Helichrysum, it contains regenerative ketones; it | | | | provides nutrients through in the Rosehip seed and |
| reduces inflammation; it speeds wound healing; AND it | | | | Evening Primrose, and reduces the inflammation which |
| has an aroma very well known for its relaxing effects | | | | accompanies any type of damage and aging. |
| - easing tension while healing your skin - could you ask | | | | For clearing excessively oily and acne-prone skin, to |
| for more? Next up is Rosemary of the 'verbenone' | | | | one oz. of Hazelnut oil, add fifteen drops each of |
| type. It also contains ketones (that the cineol type does | | | | Myrtle essential oil (use the green, rather than red, |
| not) and is known as a circulatory and metabolism | | | | variety), Eucalyptus Dives, Spike Lavender, and |
| stimulant, increasing the flow of nutrients in, and waste | | | | Rosemary verbenone. The Myrtle is special in that it |
| products out, of your skin cells. Palmarosa essential oil | | | | dissolves the sebum clogging skin pores, and the |
| is included in many blends for it's gentle cleansing and | | | | Eucalyptus calms the output of the sebaceous |
| antiseptic properties. And last but not least, Carrot | | | | (oil-producing) glands. |
| Seed oil is the premier oil for regenerating tired, lifeless | | | | If your skin has no particular 'condition', but appears |
| skin - often a result from too much stress or high | | | | tired, lifeless, pallid, or 'worn out', try mixing one-fifth |
| levels of pollutant exposure. | | | | ounce of Rosehip Seed and four-fifths ounce Hazelnut |
| There are several other oils with positive effects on | | | | oil. Then add 15 drops each of Carrot Seed essential |
| the skin (some will be mentioned in the blends below), | | | | oil (also known as Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot), |
| these just happen to be the most often used. With | | | | Lemon verbena (which helps the skin detoxify), Niaouli |
| research, you can find essential oils that will address | | | | (gently tightening the skin), and Rosemary verbenone - |
| particular skin conditions that are not covered here. | | | | this creates an excellent restorative blend. For aging |
| Further, there are in fact hundreds of essential oils | | | | skin needing firming that can be used around the eyes |
| available, each with it's own unique composition and | | | | - try this more gentle variety: Mix in five ounces of |
| aroma. Adding a little to your blends simply for their | | | | Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, add |
| fragrance influence is highly recommended. A few | | | | fifteen drops of each of Myrtle essential oil (green), |
| drops of precious oils like Jasmine, Neroli, Sandalwood | | | | Cistus or Rock Rose and Rosemary. |
| or Rose can create that aromatic combination you | | | | So there are a few tried-and-true aromatherapy skin |
| simply love, and will want to wear all the time. | | | | care blends to use in your natural beauty regime. You |
| The essential oils are almost never applied to the skin | | | | can easily mix and match the oils described to create |
| undiluted (Lavender is a rare exception). Instead, they | | | | your own blend, and add any oils you really like the |
| are added to what are known as 'carrier' or 'base' oils. | | | | aroma of (be aware that a FEW essential oils are |
| Diluting the essential oil in carrier not only stretches | | | | VERY strong, and should not be used on the skin - the |
| your dollar, but the oils actually are more effective this | | | | more common of these include Cinnamon, Clove, |
| way! Research has shown that most essential oils | | | | Oregano, and Red Thyme - consult with a |
| have the most dramatic therapeutic effects at | | | | knowledgeable practitioner if you are unsure about the |
| concentrations of less than 5% of the total blend. And | | | | safety of any oil). A word about purchasing oils for |
| the carriers have their own positive effects; besides | | | | your blends - do NOT use anything labeled as a |
| helping your skin absorb the essential oils, they provide | | | | 'fragrance oil' - these are synthetic reproductions of |
| nutrients such as essential fatty acids, and vitamin | | | | essential oils that will likely cause an allergic reaction. |
| compounds which enhance the skin's health. | | | | DO seek out a reputable source. And oils, like wine, do |
| Some of the more commonly used carrier oils in skin | | | | vary greatly from maker to maker. A higher price can |
| care are as follows: First is Hazelnut oil - pressed from, | | | | mean a significantly nicer oil (though not always) - one |
| obviously, Hazelnuts. This is considered the most gentle | | | | that is sweeter, or more well-rounded - only a few oils |
| of the carrier oils, suitable for all skin types. It often | | | | should smell 'medicinal' - Spike Lavender is a little |
| serves as the primary base oil in blends, making up a | | | | 'camphorus' in general - but a good Rosemary |
| majority of the mixture. Next is Rosehip seed oil, | | | | verbenone should have a very appealing scent . |
| pressed from Rosehip seeds grown in the mountains | | | | Despite the initial outlay, you are more likely to continue |
| of South America. This well researched oil not only has | | | | to use a blend that you really like the aroma of, and |
| a wealth of essential fatty acids, but contains | | | | that has therapeutic effects. Though once you find the |
| trans-retinoic acid, a compound similar to the active | | | | oils you adore, you're more than likely to continue the |
| ingredient of Retin-A (a well known wrinkle cream), but | | | | practice of making your own blends for some time to |
| without the drying side effects. Lastly we'll mention | | | | come. |
| Evening Primrose oil, often included in blends for aging | | | | |