Skincare
Essential oils are particularly effective for both general skincare and some specific skin conditions. They not only act on the point of application (on the contact of the skin), but they can also have a a positive mental influence which can further contribute to resolving a particular skin problem.
As the state of your skin changes due to many different influences (weather, hormonal changes, diet, etc), you can change the blend of essential oils to reflect those changes. Essential oils can influence the skin’s production of sebum, the natural skin oil, as well as correcting the skin’s current condition (too dry or too oily).
Putting neat (undiluted) essential oils directly on the skin is usually ill advised, especially if you have sensitive skin. However, there are particular circumstances where it is best to use neat essential oils, usually for specific skin conditions. Take special care to avoid contact with the eyes.
Base oils and carrier creams:
Oily skin: choose a light base oil or a cream.
Dry skin: choose a heavier base oil or, mix a little carrier oil with the essential oils, and put the combination into a cream.
Balancing oils can be used in addition to other blends – no matter your skin type. They are: Palmrosa, Lavender, Cedarwood.
Normal to Dry Skin (also suitable for mature skin)
Sandalwood, Camomile, Frankincense, Myrrh, Neroli or Rose in Jojoba, Rosewood
Eg. Sandalwood-4 drops, Rosewood-3 drops, Palmarosa-3drops, Sweet Almond Oil-20mls
Normal to Oily Skin
Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Tangerine
Eg. Lemon-3drops, Grapefruit-4 drops, Cedarwood-3 drops, Base Cream-20gms
Sensitive Skin
Jasmine, Lavender, Camomile, Neroli, Petitgrain
Eg. Neroli in Jojoba-8 drops, Petitgrain-3 drops, Lavender-4 drops, Base Cream-20gms
Eg. (for irritated/itchy skin) Camomile-5 drops, Lavender-5 drops, Base Cream-10gms
Hair Care
Since a healthy scalp is very important to having healthy hair, essential oils can be very useful in hair care.
Rosemary is commonly used in hair treatments for its circulatory stimulating action, which is believed to improve blood flow and thus providing more nutrients to the hair shaft resulting in healthier hair.
Mix the below blends to 20mls of base oil which could give you up to 4 treatments. Apply the blend to the hair and scalp, massage and leave on for at least 1 hour (longer if possible). The addition of a warm to hot towel rapped around the head will enhance treatment.
Normal Hair: Rosemary-3 drops, Lemon-5 drops, Cedarwood-2 drops
Dry Hair: Sandalwood-3 drops, Cedarwood-4 drops, Rosewood-3 drops
Oily Hair: Cypress-3 drops, Lemon-4 drops, Cedarwood-3-drops
Flaky Scalp: Lavender-4 drops, Patchouli-3 drops, Rosewood-3 drops
Greasy Dandruff (for temporary releif only): Tea Tree-2 drops,
Lemon-3 drops, Cedarwood-3 drops, Rosemary-2 drops
Body Care
Aching Feet & Legs: Peppermint-3 drops, Lavender-3 drops
Mix with 10mls of base oil or 10gms of a base cream and apply as needed. This blend can alsobe mixed with 6 drops of dispersant and added to a footbath.
After Sports: Rosemary-4 drops, Peppermint-3 drops, Marmojam-3 drops
Mix with 20mls of base oil and gently massage the aching muscles. This blend can also be added to 10 drops of dispersant and the mixture dded to a bath.
Muscle Tension: Peppermint-3 drops, Ginger-3 drops
Mix with 6 drops of dispersant for use in a warm to hot compresss. Also mix with 10mls of base oil for a light massage.
Sore Joints (rheumatism or arthritis): Juniper-3 drops, Ginger-3 drops
Mix with 6 drops of dispersant for use in a warm bath to hot compress.
Period Pain: Black Pepper-3 drops, Clary Sage-3 drops, Lavender-3 drops
Mix with 15gms of base cream and apply to the abdominal area for a week prior to the period beginning, and continue until th epainful days have passed. A warm compress over the abdominal area can also help.
Tinea (fungal infections): Tea Tea-5 drops, Myrrh-5 drops
Mix with 15gms of base cream and apply to the affected area twice a day. Another method is to mix the essential oils with a dispersant, add the mixture to water and bathe in the affected area.
Minor Wounds & Burns: Apply neat (undilluted) Lavender liberally to the wound or burn. For ongoing wound care, apply Tea Trea, Lavender and Patchouli (5 drops of each) in 10gms of Aloe Vera gel.