Skin types are generally broken down into three main categories: oily, dry and combination. No matter what the skin type, there are essential oils to help keep skin healthy, clean, refreshed and radiant.
Essential Oils and Skin Care
Essential oils are produced by distilling plant material and then separating the resulting oil from the water. Each essential oil is made of naturally occurring plant hormones, natural chemical compounds and an aroma. Some essential oils are more appropriate for skincare use as they can help oxygenate, heal, rejuvenate and nourish the skin. Unlike most skin care products that use synthetic ingredients, essential oils penetrate through the subcutaneous tissue layer and into the bloodstream.
Essential Oils for Pimples
Tea tree hydrosol is an excellent daily skin cleanser for anyone who is having trouble with pimples. Tea tree essential oil can be used to deal with individual pimples by putting a drop of tea tree essential oil onto a cotton ball or cotton swab and placing it directly on the affected area, trying to avoid the healthy skin around the blemish. A difference should be noticed within two days.
Essential Oils for Oily Skin
People with oily skin have overproductive sebaceous glands, which produce more oil than is required. Not only does this make the skin appear oily, but it often causes blackheads and other blemishes. Oily skin can have many causes, including heredity, diet and hormones.
Keep oily skin clean with a daily cleanse of witch hazel - its natural antioxidant properties are gentle enough not to damage the healthy skin but astringent enough to remove excess oil.
To nourish and feed oily skin, use a blend of geranium essential oil and grapefruit essential oil in a non-greasy carrier oil. Emu oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties, is non greasy, does not clog the pores, is highly penetrating and does not promote the growth of bacteria.
A clay mask with a few drops of sandalwood essential oil used twice a month will keep pores clean and get rid of excess oil. Follow up this treatment with a light base cream with some cedarwood essential oil and geranium essential oil added to it and lightly massage the face.
Essential Oils for Dry Skin
There are many causes of dry skin, including: weather, genetics, excess bathing and overusing soap. To cleanse dry skin use rose hydrosol, which is very gentle but effective and the aroma is wonderful.
Regular massage on the face will increase the circulation of the tiny blood vessels that feed the growing layer of skin. Add a few drops of sandalwood essential oil and geranium essential oil to a good cream and massage the face every night before bed. These particular essential oils have a balancing effect and will help to increase the amount of sebum secreted by the little glands beneath the skin.
Apply a mask once a month for deep cleaning. Because dry skin tends to be delicate, use only natural ingredients and be very gentle. To create a healthy mask for dry skin mix one egg, one teaspoon of honey, and half a teaspoon of evening primrose carrier oil. Apply to face.
Essential Oils for Combination skin
Combination skin is reported to be the most common of all skin types. For those people who have combination skin – a combination of oily and dry – different skin care procedures must be considered. Most often it is the T-zone (across the forehead and down the nose and chin) which is oily and the cheeks which are dry.
Neroli hydrosol works well as a general cleanser for the whole face. The T-zone needs deep cleansing and a clay mask with geranium essential oil and grapefruit essential oil added to it should do the trick. In the T-zone, apply the mask thickly while using only a thin layer on the cheeks. As the clay begins to dry, remove the clay from the cheeks first.
Massage the face with a rich cream that contains sandalwood essential oil and geranium essential oil. It is wonderful general nourishment for the whole face. Massaging the face should become a nightly routine. Also consider massaging the cheek areas with shea butter at night occasionally.
No matter what skin type you have, essential oils can and should play a part in your daily skin care regime.
Sources:
Aromatherapy A-Z, by Pat Davis
Nature’s Gift Aromatherapy, www.naturesgift.com
Skin Problems and Treatments, Web MD
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