It is awesome to see how mommies and their mommies have the solution to any problem under the sun. I’m not even exaggerating. When I just stepped into my teens, I started having acne breakouts. Mommy immediately brought me a sandalwood pack and orange peel powder mixed with milk - and there started my beauty treatment. For skin dullness, she used to swear by rose water, Turmeric for glow and orange to prevent my face from becoming an oil factory. In her own words, “No point in smearing your face with chemicals when you can find the answer in nature's lap” And boy, was she right? Today, as I ponder over her words, I can’t make amends with the fact I took so long to trust essential oils for glowing skin. The boon for healthy skin - essential oils are indeed here to stay.
So, this brings us to the question, what are essential oils and how do they work in skin care?
In simple words, essential oils are plant extracts that are derived from flowers, bark, rind, leaves etc. They are highly concentrated, therefore extremely potent, and advised to never use on bare skin. They should always be mixed with a plain and mild carrier oil such as coconut, olive or argan oil, in prescribed quantities. Correct usage of these oils for skin does wonders, providing it with all the nourishment it needs. Essential oils for face is an issue which is debated time and again, but studies have shown that these oils for skin, if applied with utmost care and precautions, can deliver what they promise – glowing and beautiful skin.
Depending upon the benefits being seeked, each of the given oils can be deemed as the best essential oils for glowing skin, in their separate domains:
- Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil for the skin is one of the best essential oils for skin. Tea tree oil benefits for the skin include reduction in acne inflammation, elimination of bacterial infection, tissue rehydration, treating insect bites, athlete’s foot, lice, nail fungus etc. One of the best uses of tea tree oil is that it can lighten the dark spots left by severe acne outbreaks. In fact, tea tree oil for skin whitening has also taken the internet by a storm!
- Lavender oil: One of the most effective remedies for peace and relaxation, lavender oil works wonders in treating insomnia and relieving stress. Its antidepressant and antiseptic properties make it one of the most sought-after oils in aromatherapy. Using lavender oil for the skin has some great beauty benefits too. When diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically, lavender oil benefits for skin include removing signs of ageing, skin lightening and depigmentation. Its non-comedogenic properties ensure that it doesn’t clog pores and can be used as a face toner. It is one of the best essential oil for dry skin.
- Rosemary oil: Benefits of rosemary oil for the skin include its ability to control excess sebum production and promote quick healing of skin tissues. It is also rich in anti-inflammatory and anti -bacterial agents. Rosemary oil fades marks on the skin if any, like stretch marks, dark spots, blemishes etc. making it one of the most sought-after essential oils.
- Orange oil: Yes, you read that right. Orange peel is a household name when it comes to home remedies for good skin, orange oil for the skin is as beneficial as your exfoliating cleanser. It acts as a wonderful scrub for the skin when mixed and applied along with sugar. It prevents acne by controlling excess oil production on the face, keeps the skin looking youthful by reducing the pore size, and improves blood circulation around the face.
- Rose oil: This beautiful flower which is seen as a symbol of love has been proven to work wonders for beauty enhancement as well. Rose oil for skin is an awesome moisturizer and can double up as an addition to the primer too. A couple of drops of rose essential oil mixed with coconut oil, massaged well onto the skin, and left overnight will act as a hydration mask. It works well as a lip/body scrub, when combined with some coconut oil and sugar. Rose oil is one of those essential oils for dry skin that restores the skin pH and keeps its supple.
- Ylang Ylang oil: One of those oils to hold on to if ageing skin and pigmentation spots are your major concerns. Ylang ylang essential oil helps to reduce signs of pigmentation by lightening fine lines. It is rich in antioxidants that work against free radicals responsible for dullness. It also assists in removing spots from the face to even out the skin tone.
- Frankincense oil: A premium oil used in many skincare products, frankincense oil keeps the skin looking young and reduces signs of ageing by maintaining the lipid structure on the tissues. It also controls oil production on the face. Killing two birds with one stone, as they say.
Using essential oils can enhance one’s beauty by many folds, and rejuvenate you from within, however few precautions are essential to be taken before adding them into the beauty regimen, like:
- Patch test: Before incorporating any essential oil into the beauty regime it is necessary to do a patch test to rule out any possibility of allergies.
- Dilution: Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin and always diluted with a carrier oil prior to application. The carrier oils can be any mild oils with not too strong fragrance like coconut oil, olive oil and likewise. Every oil has different dilution requirements depending on the strength of the essential oils.
- Avoiding in certain conditions: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, prior approval from the doctor is mandatory as some essential oils can be harmful in these conditions.
Essential oils are one of nature’s greatest gifts. They not just help in uplifting or calming our moods, but also help to enhance the beauty of the skin. They can prove to be an asset if included in the skincare regime with proper precautions. Making the best and responsible use of this elixir is up to us.