Best Essential Oils For Your Skin

The use of Essential oils has seen an unprecedented growth in the last few years. The benefits of Essential oils are multiple, making it an absolute favourite for companies and end consumers as well. While the world is all the rage about essential oil these days, let us understand a little bit more about them.

( Author : Surjeet Singh / Mfg Ayurvedic Herbal products , Essential Oils - Since 2011 )

What is Essential Oil ?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. A lot of plant material is used even for a tiny bottle of essential oil and they carry the very ‘essence’ of the plant. This is what helps the oil carry the benefits of the plant even in a concentrated form. They are obtained through a distillation or cold pressing process, making it a pure form of extract.

The Best Essential Oils For Your Skin

Tea Tree Essential Oil

It is the most popular oil for cosmetic products, especially face wash and shampoo. It has rich anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties. It regulates sebum production, kills acne causing bacteria and improves overall health of the skin.

Lavender Essential Oil

It helps soothe irritated skin, reduce redness and provide spotless skin. It diminishes acne and evens out skin tone.

Orange Essential Oil

It is rich in Vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene and magnesium. It clears the face and estores collagen production.It also leaves a refreshing feel.

Rosemary Essential Oil

It is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.It helps in improving skin tone by fighting acne, blemishes and black marks.

Lemon Oil

The richness of Vitamin C helps restore skin glow and cure skin disorders.It helps in skin firming and reducing pimple marks.

Benefits of Essential Oils for Skin

1. Antiseptic and Antimicrobial

Essential oils like tea tree oil, lemon oil, orange oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil areused as an antibacterial material. Tea tree oil mixed with a base oil (like coconut oil) can be used to treat acne and even dandruff. Lemongrass oil when used in a diffuser helps as a repellent to insects and mosquitos.

2. Mood Booster

One of the most common and extensive benefit of Essential oil is its mood lifting abilities. From lavender oil, Rose oil, Jasmine oil to Peppermint oil- all these oils are the best mood lifters. Using Essential oils in a diffuser can help change your mood an instant. They also help in reducing anxiety as soothing smells help calm our nerves and reduce anxiety. What is better, is also how different oils can be used for different moods. While lavender can provide a calming effect, orange oil can provide a more breezy and citrusy feeling.

3. Reduce Inflammation and Fight Cold

Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil are great medicines for colds. Both can be used to clear your stuffy nose and make it easier to breathe. Frankincense oil can be used to reduced inflammation as well. Lavender oil, orange oil and eucalyptus oil can also be used to reduce pain.

4. Better Sleep

Essential oils also help induce better sleep as they are great stress relievers. Putting a drop or two on your pillow or using it in a candle can also spread the aroma in your room and help you sleep better.

How To Use Essential Oils ?

There are three ways that essential oils are used:

Through application on the skin
Through inhalation
Through ingestion
The particular way of using the oil depends on the purpose and need of the oil.

Do’s and Don'ts of Essential Oils

Here are some do’s and don’ts you should follow when using Essential Oils.

Do’s

Use them with a carrier oil (like coconut water) and not directly on skin. This reduces chances of irritation and skin sensitivity.
Perform a patch test before you apply all over your skin.

Research the oil you are using and the purpose of the oil before applying on skin, inhaling or ingesting.

Do consult your doctor if any irritation is observed.

Do store them safely.

Don’ts

Do not use the oils on sensitive body parts.

Ingestion of essential oils is very critical and should be done only under guidance and good quality products.

Don’t use oil that is old and always check for expiry date.

Don’t use the oil on damaged skin.

Don’t buy products from brands that do not follow a clean process and give inferior quality products.

Don’t use it on children and pets without proper medical guidance.

Don’t overdo the usage. Everything is good in moderation.

Pregnant mothers should avoid using it without consulting your doctor.