Essential Oils for the Skin

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from various plants. Essential oil of peppermint, for example, is made by extracting the oil of thousands of peppermint leaves. For this reason, essential oils are generally sold in very small bottle sizes, as it takes the harvesting of many plants and a great deal of pressing to fill just one tiny bottle. 

Able to penetrate to the subcutaneous skin layer of the skin, pure essential oils are often used in natural face and body products.  One example is essential oil of carrot seed (Daucus Carota). This essential oil is full of the antioxidant beta-carotene.

For a beneficial facial massage, use 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil and 6 drops of carrot seed essential oil. Massaging a teaspoon of this mixture into the skin of the face, for 5 minutes, can moisturize and revitalize the skin.

A second essential oil often used in skin treatments is German chamomile (Matricaria Recutita). With anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, German chamomile essential oil is also very strong, thus requiring dilution for use on the skin.

For treating sunburns, take a quarter cup of distilled water, add an equal amount of aloe vera juice (the real stuff), and squeeze 5 drops of German chamomile essential oil into the mixture. After mixing, place the liquid in a spray bottle and spray on burned skin 4 or 5 times per day, until the sunburn heals.

Lavender essential oil (Lavandula Augustifolia) is one of the most commonly used essential oils for the skin. It has antiseptic properties, aiding in the treatment of bee stings and minor burns. For treatment of these conditions, you can use the essential oil, undiluted, directly on the affected area. Or, for an all-over sunburn, you can add 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil into a cool bath.

There are many essential oils that are beneficial to the skin, with a variety of benefits and uses. It is important to seek out a quality product and store essential oils in a cool dark place, to retain their useful properties. 
Back to blog