Essential Oils for Different Skin Types
Our skin is our body’s largest organ. Skin has several vital functions including protecting us from dangerous pathogens, regulating our body temperature, facilitating absorption of necessary elements and nutrients, and ensuring that essential nutrients are not washed out of our bodies. Add this to the notion that our skin is how we present ourselves to the world—most people agree that having beautiful skin is an asset. So how do you keep our skin looking its finest, especially the skin on your face? There are several things you can do to ensure you are putting your best face forward: drink plenty of water (and avoid alcohol), eat well (limit the junk food, please), get enough rest, exercise, don’t get too stressed out and take your supplements. If you still need help after that, you can employ the use of essential oils and choose products that contain the best ones for your skin type or create your own enticing-smelling natural skincare blend that makes your skin glow.
To choose essential oils that are best for you, it is important to first determine your specific skin type. Common skin types include dry skin, or skin that does not produce enough oil, oily skin; skin that produces too much oil, or normal skin; skin that balanced. Other subsets of skin types include sensitive skin, mature skin, skin that is prone to acne breakouts, and problem skin—skin plagued by eczema or psoriasis. As you may have guessed, it is very possible to have a combination of skin types. In that case, simply apply different skin-type-specific products to the respective areas on your face. Let’s take a look at some essential oils that are beneficial for the different skin types.
First, let’s examine essential oils that are beneficial for normal skin types. These tend to be safe, effective oils that are included in many skincare products on the market. They include: Chamomile German, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Neroli, Palma Rosa, Rose and Ylang Ylang. Valerie Ann Worwood in her book “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” suggests a blend of 15 drops of Rose added to five drops each of Chamomile German, Lavender and Lemon added to two tablespoons of almond oil to create a nice day moisturizer for normal skin.
Dry skin can be a problem for many people, especially women. The lack of oil in dry skin causes it to lose moisture too quickly and subsequently flake and shed. Because dry skin sheds so quickly, the underlying layers may be too immature and tender when they are exposed causing them to become red and inflamed. Kathi Keville, author of “Aromatherapy for Dummies” suggests using lotions and creams and staying away from products that are water-based because they pull water away from the skin. Essential oils that are good for dry skin are: Bois de Rose, Carrot Seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile German, Frankincense, Hyssop, Myrrh, Palmarosa, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Thyme, and Vetivert. For an effective day moisturizer for dry skin, Valerie Ann Worwood recommends a combination of 15 drops of Chamomile German, with five drops each of Sandalwood, Bois de Rose and Hyssop diluted in your choice of a vegetable base to which ten drops of Evening Primrose oil and two drops of Carrot oil were added.
Oily skin is a result of overactive sebaceous glands. These glands are sensitive to hormonal changes which can cause oily and acne-prone skin around the time of puberty or the onset of a menstrual period. Many products that claim to clear up oily skin actually make it worse. Ingredients in harsh cleansers and other products strip away moisture only to have the sebaceous glands work harder to restore it resulting in skin that’s even oilier. Essential oil blends can restore balance while keeping oily skin at bay. Some of the essential oils that help with oily skin: Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Helichrysum, Juniper Berry, Lemon, Lemongrass, Myrtle, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rosemary, and Sage. Another recipe from Valerie Ann Worwood, this time a day balancer for oily skin: Eight drops of Juniper, plus ten drops each of Geranium and Lemon, plus two drops Rosemary diluted in two tablespoons of hazelnut oil that contains ten drops of Carrot Oil.
It pays to take care of your skin. Essential oils are a natural way to keep your skin in balance regardless of its type. Experiment with different essential oil recipes that are specific for your skin type. In no time you will have a skincare regimen that keeps you looking and feeling your best.
Sources:
“The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood
“Aromatherapy for Dummies” by Kathi Keville
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