Essential Oil Skin Care: Uses Of Natural Essential Oils For Skin Health
Usage of essential oils can be traced all the way back to early 4500 BC. These oils were used as part of spiritual rituals and in various medical treatments. In the modern world, essential oils form a common base in various skin care products, in aromatherapy and in healing. There are two kinds of oils, the essential oils and the carrier oils. Carrier oils are normally derived from the nuts, kernels or seeds. Apricot oil, almond oil, avocado oil and sunflower oil are a few types of carrier oils. These oils have the unique characteristic of providing therapeutic value in aromatherapy, healing and skin care products. Essential oils on the other hand are distilled from barks, leaves, flowers, roots or other aromatic portions of the tree or plant. These oils tend to be significantly stronger than carrier oils. Hence they should be applied to the skin in a diluted form to prevent an allergic reaction or severe irritation of the skin. Thus essential oils and carrier oils are mixed together to dilute the potency. Also the carrier oils actually help to carry the essential oil to the skin and hence the name carrier oils. Essential oils differ from fragrance or perfume oils.
Essential Oils Benefits For Skin
Some of the essential oils used on the skin include geranium, chamomile, lemon, lavender, rose, rosemary, sandal wood and the like. Geranium is an overall good skin cleanser and is particularly useful in the case of mature skin. It helps to promote circulation and thus leaves the skin with a healthy, youthful glow. Chamomile is used as a skin cleanser especially in the cases of itchy and dry skin. It also helps to smooth puffiness and to strengthen tissue. Lemon aids in brightening dull complexions as it helps to remove the dead skin cells. It is also an effective skin cleanser for oily skin. Lavender is an essential oil that is used on most skin tones. It helps in balancing the effect of the oil glands and in promoting new cell growth. It additionally has a healing effect and is hence used in the cases of acne, burns, eczema, sunburns and psoriasis. Rose like the geranium is good for treating mature, sensitive skin. It also has a soothing quality and is used in inflammation treatments. Rosemary oil is beneficial for sagging skin as it helps to tone and tighten the skin. It should be avoided during pregnancy as it can have a stimulating effect. Ylang ylang can be used for both dry and oily skin as it has a balancing effect on the oil gland. Sandalwood oil is useful for dehydrated skin and eczema.