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