Natural Remedies for Skin
Everything from age to climate can effect the biggest organ of our body. Our skin can show many signs of illness and irratation. There are certain methods and oils that can have a very positive effect on the skin, depending on the condition of your skin. I mentioned previously in Aromatherapy 101 that massage and baths can be very beneficial for body and mind. Along with bath and massage you can create an all natural skin care routine so clean and simple you will never go back!
Compresses, steaming, facial massages and masks are all wonderful ways to revitalize skin. Hot compresses are easy, especially if your skn is too sensitive or irritated to use a carrier oil. Facial steaming helps hydrate and stimulate skin by opening skin pores to help it breath. Simply add a few drops of the oil of choice to a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping. Steaming is also wonderful for colds and congestion! Facial massage is wonderful to help relax and sooth the skin. You can add the oil of your choice to oatmeal and water and create a wonderful facial mask. Mix into a paste and smooth on face, leave until it dries and rinse with warm water. For a more moisture rich mask , use plain yogurt and blend with vitamin E or jojoba oil.
If you suffer from acne a few of the best oils include: bergamot, lavender, camphor, geranium, chamomile, rose, sandalwood,eucalyptus, tea tree and lemon. Use a couple of drops of lavender and one drop of lemon to compress on a pimple.
If you have chapped skin try: chamomile, geranium, lavender, rose or sandalwood. Mix 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, like Vitamin E and 2 or three drops of chamomile and massage face.
Dry skin benefits from geranium, jasmine, lavender, orange, rose and sandalwood. 1 drop of geranium and 2 drops of jasmine to a teaspoon of Vitamin E oil for another soothing facial massage.
Inflamed or irritated skin does well with chamomile, geranium, peppermint, rose, sandalwood, tea tree and lavender. A drop of rose oil and 2 drops of geranium with a teaspoon of jojoba oil is very soothing for irritated skin.
Itchy skin: cedarwood, jasmine, peppermint and chamomile.
Mature or aging skin: frankincense, lavender, neroli, rose and sandalwood.
Oily skin: bergamot, cedarwood, juniper, cypress and any oils mentioned earlier for acne.
Sensitive skin benefits from jasmine, orange, chamomile and rose.
Normal skin benefits from bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, lavender, neroli, chamomile, rose, sandalwood.
Because essential oils are concentrated it is better to dilute them with a carrier oil. Carrier oils help the oil to penetrate the skin better! Pure and unrefined cold pressed vegetable, nut or seed oils are recommended and not mineral oil.
My favorites include: Grapeseed oil, no scent and great for massage, Jojoba oil, this is not an oil but a liquid wax and does not turn rancid, it isn’t greasy and it penetrates deeply. Olive oil is a good basic oil but has a strong aroma. Sunflower oil is good for all skin types and sweet almond oil is excellent for all skin types and blends well. Vitam E is great for facial use.
Remember with essential oils a little goes a long way!
Natural skin care smells simply wonderful, is very beneficial and brings out creativity making it fun!
Living Simple 