Daniel Linsangan
- April 7, 2020
- Aromatherapy, Buying Guides, Self Care, Skincare
What oils are best for skincare, hair and wellbeing?
You’re binge-watching those movies depicting ancient kingdoms and wonder if women really had such flawless skin in real life. It turns out that depiction of princesses is actually, at least in part, accurate. Taking care of your skin started a very long time ago. The vast difference between the products used in ancient kingdoms, and those used today is the origin. Hundreds and thousands of years ago, people didn’t have access to the synthetic ingredients we find in most skin-care products today, so they used the materials available to them, and yes, these ancient skincare regimes were organic.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used olive oil, moringa oil and a variety of plant-based oils. Many other ancient tribes have left traces of evidence that they used rudimentary essential oils as a moisturiser for both their skin and hair. With the exception of some very dangerous ingredients that we now stay well clear of (like lead), all-natural skin-care products used for millennia have continued to be the best options. It wasn’t all that long ago that we discovered the connection between lead in skincare with issues like hormonal imbalances, neurotoxicity, reduced fertility, and other problems. The dangers of many synthetic products continue to become more apparent and some synthetic ingredients can be very damaging to your skin.
For thousands of years, oils have also been used for wellbeing. Diffusing essential oils for aromatherapy is an ancient practice, dating back at least 6000 years. Some organic essential oils can be beneficial to unwind and destress your mind and body while others can help ease upset stomachs, reduce headache pain and provide other health benefits beyond the simple pleasure of their fragrance.
In this article, we will talk about essential oils. These oils are plant extracts derived from flowers, leaves, bark or seeds. Some provide benefits that stand-alone, while some are blended together to achieve the desired outcome on one’s well being or skin. Essential oils can have many uses, we will categorise them based on suggested usage – skin, hair and personal welfare.
For Skin
Good things come gradually – this is an age-old secret. Achieving healthy and vibrant skin comes from your daily care routine. Let’s uncover the hidden gem of the ancients, organic oils. As various oils are used for different types of skin, let’s take a look at which oils are best to use on certain skin conditions. Look for these essential oils in the products you use for your skin care routine, or, if appropriate, consider trying them in a diluted form directly on your skin. Always consult with your dermatologist first and never use undiluted essential oils.
Essential oils for dry skin.
Oils can provide relief as part of your moisturising routine for dry skin. Especially during extreme conditions like summer heat and winter wind. Some essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties to help your skin heal and reduce redness. Essential oils that are good for dry skin include lavender, chamomile and sandalwood. These oils may be best known for their ability to help you relax and sleep, but they are also natural hydrators that increase moisture and reduce inflammation.
Essential oils for oily skin.
Some skin types produce excessive oil (known as sebum) through overactive sebaceous glands, especially in humid climates and hot weather. Hormonal imbalances can also cause your sebaceous glands to work overtime. A number of essential oils can assist in balancing out sebum produced to reduce the oily feeling on your skin: clary sage, rosemary, frankincense, geranium and neroli. Perhaps the most famous due to it’s Biblical references, frankincense is a tree resin from the dry mountainous regions of India, Africa and the Middle East. It has a spicy, woody aroma and can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled with a diffuser.
Essential oils for skin conditions.
There are various skin conditions that essential oils can assist with, including skin rashes, acne, and age spots. If you have acne-prone skin – lemon, lemongrass, cinnamon and tea tree oils might help remove excess oils while reducing skin microbes and inflammation. Lemon is known for its astringent antiseptic properties.
Some oils are known to alleviate itchiness and help battle atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. The following oils have pain-relieving properties and can assist your skin health – peppermint, wintergreen, eucalyptus and patchouli. These oils have an analgesic effect and can help to cool down hot rashes.
Some tips on incorporating essential oils into your skincare routine.
- Start by washing and gently exfoliating the skin.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to your moisturiser
- Apply your essential oil infused moisturiser to your skin using a sweeping upward motion.
- You can also blend 2-3 drops of essential oil with your foundation while applying makeup.
For Hair
Using essential oils in your hair care routine is starting to regain popularity, but like skincare, it isn’t a new idea. Essential oils are easy to use in your routine and can improve the health of your hair and scalp. Some essential oils can also increase hair growth, strength and shine. Essential oils can be directly applied and brushed onto your hair or mixed into your shampoo or conditioner. You can also choose a shampoo and conditioner that have the desired essential oils infused.
Look for these essential oils depending on your hair type:
- Lavender – Lavender oil can speed up hair growth – it has properties that can generate the growth of cells and reduce stress.
- Peppermint – Peppermint oil can cause a cold, tingling feeling when it increases circulation to the area it’s applied to. It can help promote hair growth during the anagen (or growing) phase.
- Rosemary – If you want to improve both hair thickness and hair growth, rosemary oil is a great choice thanks to its ability to enhance cellular generation.
- Cedarwood – It has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can treat different conditions that may contribute to dandruff and hair loss.
- Lemongrass – Dandruff can be a common ailment, and having a healthy, flake-free scalp is an important part of hair health. Lemongrass oil is an effective dandruff treatment.
- Thyme – Thyme can help promote hair growth by both stimulating the scalp and actively preventing hair loss.
- Clary Sage – Clary sage oil contains the same linalyl acetate that helps make lavender oil so effective in increasing hair growth. It can improve hair strength, in addition to boosting hair growth, making hair more difficult to break.
- Tea Tree – Tea tree oil has powerful cleansing, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. When used topically, it can help unplug blocked hair follicles and increase hair growth.
- Ylang-ylang – Ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production. As lack of enough oil and sebum causes hair to become dry and brittle, ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage.
For wellbeing
The aromas of essential oils are also good for your health and wellbeing. Diffusing oil in a diffuser, or other ways, has a range of benefits for both the body and soul.
Essential Blends – Some essential oils compliment each other and increase their effects. Our blended essential oils are perfect for use in your office, living room and bedroom. All Arianrhod Aromatics 100% essential oils have multiple uses – in the bath, the shower, in potpourri by your bedside or, for the blends intended to help you sleep, within your linen for a restful night’s sleep. Totally relaxing – use some blends before bedtime for a wonderful, restful sleep or wake-up with a refreshed mind using Wakey Wakey.
Below are some of our popular essential oil blends – my personal favourite is Sweet Dreams.
100% Pure Essential Oil Blend Peace – This 100% pure essential oil blend carries a spicy aroma you will find harmonising, calming and balancing as it contains bergamot, cypress, lavender, sweet orange and vetiver.
100% Pure Essential Oil Blend After Hours – You may like to use this wonderful oil after a long, hard day as this particular blend has a sensuously spicy scent to be welcoming, soothing and uplifting. Using aromatherapy principles, this blend was created to help you unwind and to help eliminate any airborne bugs you might have carried home with you.
100% Pure Essential Oil Blend Sweet Dreams – Totally relaxing! Use before bedtime for a wonderful, restful sleep. Breathe in this soothing aroma as you unwind. Welcome sleep within its aromatic environment. It is created for your bedtime with cinnamon leaf, clary sage, frankincense, mandarin and ylang-ylang.
100% Pure Essential Oil Blend Wakey Wakey – Need that extra energy when you have more to do but you don’t want to be drinking large quantities of caffeine or energy drinks? Wakey Wakey is designed for those times when you are studying or working late into the afternoon or evening. When a yawn or two comes while you are at your computer and you still have work to do. This creation has the answer for you. Walking outside is known to help stimulate your brain, so take a metaphorical walk in the forest when you need some extra energy from nature. Inhale this wonderful aroma for that extra boost you need at any time.
Don’t be overwhelmed
Now that you know some of the many uses of essential oils for body, hair and wellbeing. You might be overwhelmed by the many essential oils that are beneficial for you. If you aren’t sure, just get in touch with us. You can call, email or message us on Facebook with your questions and we’ll help you to pick out the right one for your needs. Once you begin to use essential oils, it won’t be long before you begin to notice their beneficial effects, both to your body and soul.
At Arianrhod Aromatics, we wish you a healthy and peaceful life using organic products that have proven effective, both through history and modern research.
