In today's world, everyone is obsessed with looking good and thus skin care becomes very important. Essential oils are a perfect answer to all your worries related to skin, and they are even used in aromatherapy to give you mental relief.
The way they have created their own niche in the skincare segment is amazing. There's a lot to try, but you should first understand what essential oils truly are.
What are essential oils & how do they work?
Essential oils are oil compounds which are extracted from plants. They are highly concentrated plant extracts which are volatile in nature. To obtain essential oils, distillation or cold pressing are generally used.
Each essential oil is unique as it has its own characteristic essence as they are made by steaming or pressing various parts of plants like leaves, stems, roots or even fruits.
Aromatic compounds are mixed with a carrier oil to form a product that can readily be used. The process of creating essential oils is unique, which is different from essential oils obtained using chemical processes. Thus, plant extracts that preserve their natural flavors and smell (essence) in concentrated form are called essential oils.
These oils are mostly used in aromatherapy where they are inhaled, but they are not meant to be swallowed. They are also applied to the skin, where certain chemicals are absorbed by the same. Sometimes essential oils are applied using heat for better absorption by the skin.
Given below are the 10 most popular types of essential oils with the health benefits they provide.
- Lavender: relieves stress
- Peppermint: helps in digestion and boosts energy
- Rose: Improves mood and helps in combating anxiety
- Sandalwood: helps in calming nerves and better focus
- Lemon: helpful for headaches, digestion, and elevates mood
- Chamomile: useful in relaxation and improving the mood
- Bergamot: reduces stress and for treating skin conditions like eczema
- Ylang-Ylang: treats skin conditions, headaches and nausea
- Jasmine: helpful in depression and childbirth
- Tea Tree: useful for fighting infections and boosting immunity
Benefits of essential oils
There are many health benefits of essential oils.
- Helpful in stress and anxiety: Research has proven the benefits of essential oils in reducing stress. Some essential oils when inhaled trigger certain emotions in the brain to make one feel optimistic. Others when applied to the skin, give relief from conditions of anxiety and stress.
- Insomnia and sleep disorders: Sleep issues can drastically impact your routine and performance in life. Certain essential oils like lavender oil are known to provide relief in such cases.
- Healthy hair growth: If you have hair issues, then essential oils are of great use and help. For example, peppermint oil and onion oil are useful in improving the texture of your hair. They improve blood flow in the scalp, thereby giving strength to hair roots. Lavender oil can be used by those having dandruff and helps in giving good shine and conditioning to the hair.
- Headache: Essential oils are very useful in providing respite from headaches. Peppermint oil and lavender oil are useful in doing so.
- Essential oils for skincare: Essential oils can be used to treat all kinds of skin ailments. Several skin problems like acne, eczema, insect bite or burn can be well treated using essential oils such as tea tree oil and lavender oil. They also enrich skin and help in reducing wrinkles.
- Inflammation: If the skin is irritated or inflammation is there, the essential oils reduce the same. These oils also help in reducing scars, sunburns, and signs of aging. Essential oils improve the glow and texture of the skin in all areas.
How to use essential oils on skin?
Essential oils are either inhaled or directly applied to the skin. They should never be ingested, though. If or when you have to use them on your skin, it is better if you do a patch test beforehand to know whether they cause any irritation to your skin.
In a patch test, you need to place a small amount of diluted essential oil on your forearm and then wait for at least 24 hours to know whether any irritation is there or not. If there is no irritation, you can go ahead with applying essential oil to the larger part of the skin.
For direct application, it is advisable to pair essential oil with some carrier oil for better results, such as almond oil or olive oil.
You can also use it for bathing purposes by adding around 10 drops into your bathtub.
Risk associated with essential oils
Essential oils may have their benefits, but there are risks associated as well. You should know exactly how and when to use which kind of essential oil; otherwise problems may arise.
As such, they should always be diluted and used in association with a carrier oil for better results. Avoid using essential oils on infants and children as their skin is too sensitive.
- Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
- Only diffuse them in well-ventilated spaces.
- Make it a habit to wash your hands post using any essential oil
- Keep them away from any kind of flame
