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Beautify your Skin. Organic Skin Care is what it Deserves

Posted by Amy Nutt in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Amy Nutt

There is a multitude of different ways that you can beautify your skin from head to toe, but the best way is always to use products that are natural, healthy for your skin and in most cases, organic.

Face it, organic skin care is the very best that skin care has to offer, and this is exactly what your skin deserves. So if you want to beautify your skin the right way, you should be using organic skin care products that promote health and beauty in a natural way.

If you are part of that truly large percentage of women that are experiencing skin sensitivity issues, then organic skin care is likely going to be the perfect answer for you. Organic skin care formulas are rich in fruit extracts, natural essential oils and a number of other natural and organic ingredients that have very little history of ever causing an unpleasant reaction or activating irritation or redness of the skin. What this means is that potentially, organic skin care products can be the skin care regimen solution that you have been looking for all along.

Make sure that you are thoroughly reading all of the labels and understanding all of the ingredients contained within organic skin care products that you choose even if you do not have skin sensitivity issues. Just because the products are organic, that does not mean that there won’t be an ingredient in there that you just happen to be allergic to. Understanding what you are applying to your body is vitally important, so you should not simply trust the “certified organic” label, but rather actually take the time to get to know the products that you are using.

Organic skin care products such as natural body washescontain a lot of really natural ingredients. You are more likely to find milk, oatmeal, honey and cinnamon than long and confusing chemical names that leave you scratching your head. What would you rather rub on your skin, milk and honey or phthalates?

Organic skin care is good both for your body and our environment, because anything that does not contain chemical compounds and additives is going to break down much more easily without causing any harm to animals, flowers, trees or the environment in general. If you have not already tried out organic skin care products, then what are you waiting for? Now is the chance for you to beauty your skin while giving your face and your body a real taste of what nature is all about. Nothing is capable of nourishing your body as effectively as organic skin care products, because no product could be as natural or nourishing as a product that is filled with elements from the earth and the environment like fruit extracts, natural essential oils and elements like milk, honey, sugar and spices for example.

About the Author:
While organic lip balm prevents the skin from damage, body wrap that utilizes body oil, lotion, and such is also excellent for exfoliating skin. When its rinsed off, a sense of refreshing feeling will be present. Products such as body wash and massage oil are also applied to rejuvenate the body and help to remove unwanted toxins.

aromatherapy, baby, beauty, body, health, Massage, organic, pregnancy, relaxing, shopping, skin, skin care, spa, women

Here’s Some Advice How to Be Stress Free

Posted by Shirley Meier in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Shirley Meier

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions and minds.

Feeling stressed, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a sad day, the best thing to do is relax, but what’s the easiest way to relax?

Watching TV may be a form of relaxation for some, but isn’t a favored strategy by mavens. When we watch television we are inundated with commercials, ads, sounds and photographs. So how can we achieve relaxation?

If there are thousands of ways we are able to get stressed, one of them is not meeting deadlines, there are many ways we can relax.

In up to date studies, pros have determined that heart illness is connected to hate and irritability is linked to psychological stress. Too much stress brings about ischemia that can end up in or cause a cardiac arrest. Relaxation takes on added importance given this matter.

Managing your hate and angle is significant to heart health, and relaxation can help you manage stress.

One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation. Latest studies have also shown this system might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for coronary and stroke. Folks practice transcendental meditation by repeating letting out soothing sounds while meditating, this is to achieve total relaxation.

The researchers discovered that practitioners of transcendental meditation noticeably reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared with people who didn’t practice transcendental meditation.

Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, appears to reduce high blood pressure by initiating many body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, ease pain, and reduce foreboding.

One good way of relaxation is getting a beauty massage with natural aromatherapy concentrated oils.

To gain full relaxation, you want to absolutely surrender to the handling and touch of a professional specialist.

There are many types of massages that also give assorted levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation, whilst you’re there your trained specialist will discuss with you other forms of beauty treatment and body care to compliment your beauty regimen.

About the Author:
tension is the curse of living in modern day living. all people suffer from tension. And the tension we suffer takes a massive toll on our being, emotions and minds. Checkout Beauty Salons Glasgow specialist health and beauty therapists to help you relax and unwind

aromatherapy, beauty, health, lifestyle, Massage, relaxation, stress

Essential Tips To How Essential Oils In Aromatherapy

Posted by Marie Wood in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Marie Wood

At the point where you are looking to use aromatherapy and learn the different types of oils available, you will recognise that doing so is a good way to relax and unwind, and will help you rejuvenate your own body. Also, you will see that this process can be fun and interesting, and that it can be an interesting way to start a romantic evening with that person you love. You are probably new to aromatherapy and this short guide will help you see what aromatherapy is all about and how it can help you in your daily life. By reading through this basic aromatherapy guide, you will see that the practice of aromatherapy and using essential oils is straight forward as long as you fully understand the different things.

Firstly, you will need to learn the different guidelines when looking to purchase quality essential oils. You should not confuse these true aromatherapy essential oils with a number of perfumed and fragrance oils which are currently on the market. You will find that all too often that vendors try to pass off these types of oils which have a combination of fragrance and chemicals. You will discover that true pure essential oils actually come from the essence of the plant and they provide individuals with therapeutic benefits. Also, you will see that fragrance oils can smell nice for some time but will not provide you with any psychological or physical benefits.

When you are first getting started with aromatherapy it is a good idea to look for a good comprehensive aromatherapy book or even take an aromatherapy course as a way of learning as much as you can.

Getting started with aromatherapy is not difficult but there are a lot of different essential oils available and combining them can achieve different effects. Reading an aromatherapy guide book can help you learn all about safety guidelines for using essential oils and how to combine them for the best benefits.

Also, you will find that some of the better essential oils will include lavender and camomile. Both of these will help you relax, unwind and sleep much better. If you are looking for something to energize and uplift you, then you should consider orange and grapefruit as essential oils.

Be cautious though, as you should not use essential oils that are undiluted for any physical application. An essential oil that is undiluted for inhalation will be fine, as well as freshening a room, but intending to use your oils for an aromatherapy bath or massage must be accompanied with a carrier oil such as almond.

Finally, it will be important for you to learn how essential oils should be properly kept and stored. A good aromatherapy guide will advise you to store any oils in dark glass bottle such as cobalt blue or amber. You will find that these bottles will then keep the contents cool and you should store them in a dark area. You will also find that a wooden box is a good location and can also be portable if you decide to go away and take your oils.

About the Author:
As a long term aromatherapy instructor, Marie knows what needs to go into a guide to aromatherapy. She teaches a number of different classes to beginners who are interested in oils and candles and provides them with a complete guide to aromatherapy which they can keep.

aromatherapy, aromatherapy candles, aromatherapy guide, essential oils, health, learn aromatherapy, Massage

Ideas To Keep Aromatherapy In Your Life

Posted by Ted Johnson in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Ted Johnson

Aromatherapy has picked up legions of followers over the years. It is now possible to buy scented candles and sachets just about anywhere. You can treat yourself to your favorite fragrance in a variety of ways. There is an entire universe of aromatherapy oils and ideas for you to explore. Try some of the following ideas to enhance your life with aromatherapy.

One way to expand the use of aromatherapy is to spray a few pages of your planner with your favorite essential oils. Be sure to dilute the oils so they will not ruin the paper in your planner. Every time you open your planner to note another challenging assignment, you will trigger the release of a surge of refreshing, vitalizing fragrance. It will give you inspiration and strengthen your resolve. You can also add essential oils to notepads and even memos.

Make it a daily habit of empowering yourself for every day by applying your favorite fragrance behind your ears, on your wrists, and even in your hair. The feeling of being embraced by your favorite aroma will help empower you even through the most difficult of days.

You can incorporate aromatherapy into your laundry routine by adding lemon and chamomile to the final rinse. You can also make your own dryer sheets infusing them with your favorite scent. Use an old sock or scrap of cloth and place a few drops of oil on it before you toss it in the dryer. Lemon and chamomile will keep your laundry smelling fresh, while lavender and chamomile will make your pillows and bed linens fragrant with relaxing aroma.

Diffusers are an excellent way to disseminate fragrant oils, especially in the bathroom and bedroom. Diffusers come in a variety of styles and colors and can be used with the fragrance of your choice. There are even aromatherapy fountains available. Many are small enough to sit on your nightstand or desk allowing you to enjoy the fragrant scent all day long.

Aromatherapy also allows you to give up your gnarly old gym towel and wet wipes. Create your own wipes using essential oils. When you extract or distill your own natural oils, save the hydrosols. Soak a few inexpensive terrycloth “bar towels” in your hydrosols; then, you can freeze them for use at a later time.

As you begin to experiment more with aromatherapy you will find the possibilities and ideas are practically endless. Go ahead and try your own ideas with aromatherapy.

About the Author:
Looking for a complete guide to aromatherapy? Visit yourcompleteguidetoaromatherapy.info for more information and resources on essential oil recipes. Also, visit to learn about aromatherapy uses.

aromatherapy, essential oils, fitness, healing, health, Massage, massage oil

Aromatherapy In Rituals

Posted by Kim Johnson in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Kim Johnson

Even during early times, people believed in the powers of essential oils that come from herbs and flowers. The fragrant aroma is very attractive that they even use this as offerings to Gods and Goddesses. Whenever they want to have a bountiful harvest, heal the weakening body and maintain peace on the land.

During the old times aromatherapy was mainly used for the sole purpose of offering gifts to God. The smoke or the aroma of the oil is believed to be attractive to Gods and Goddesses which in turn was intended to make the offering or gifts pleasurable to them.

There are appropriate scents to use for certain rituals, purifications and awareness of psychic ability. Once people practicing a ritual smelled the aroma, it would strengthen and utilize their energy level. These processes have been practiced by people all over the world from centuries ago until now.

For ritual oils are used to a more extensive process while on a normal aromatherapy oils are used for therapeutic process such as for massage and inhalation.

Another type of aromatherapy is the ritual aromatherapy. It is used for much extensive use such as to attract money, bring love and prosperity. It is believed that once inhaled, it pulls conscious and psychic energy and somehow create an internal change.

During the process the practitioner focus on the conscious mind as the aroma calm the central nervous system and enhance the psychological awareness. When all these happens the energy will project in the atmosphere and that desired change will happen.

This is a very simple but yet so powerful that you do not need to do visualization because the body will be revitalized naturally. If you are looking into getting more involved into using aromatherapy, it may be a good idea to speak with your physician about the benefits, and risks.

About the Author:
Looking for a complete guide to aromatherapy? Visit yourcompleteguidetoaromatherapy.info for more information and resources on essential oil recipes. Also, visit our sister sites to learn about cheap whipped body butters.

aromatherapy, essential oils, fitness, healing, health, Massage, massage oil

Some Benefits Of Aromatherapy

Posted by Tim Masters in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Tim Masters

One form of alternative medicine that helps in relieving stress, boost the mood and aids in having a healthier life is the aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is composed of herbs, essential oils and other substances that help to heal the body by using the sense of smell.

Different substances that have a special aroma are used in the process as well as candles. These substances when heated and smelled produce a different kind of feeling to a person. Some of the herbs that are used on the session are peppermint and eucalyptus that are known to help boost the energy level. Lavender and chamomile help the person to be calm and relax. Lemon and rosemary also help to revitalize a tired body.

Our sense of smell is very powerful. In fact, the body can distinguish around 10,000 different scents. This area is called the Limbic System and when stimulated it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals.

Once a person inhales the essential oils, the compounds are absorbed by the bloodstream. This is as safe as putting some lotion or cream on your skin and then massaging it.

Most people love to visit spas and massage therapists for their regular aromatherapy programs but you can also perform this on your home. All you have to do is buy candles, necessary oils and some kind of burner of diffuser to heat the oil. To be able to make this effective, you need to do this in the quietest place of the house, so that you can be comfortable.

This process is also a good option for medication. This has very little side effects that can be only experienced by certain persons who are sensitive or allergic to certain substances. As always, consult your medical professional for more information regarding the benefits of aromatherapy.

About the Author:
Looking for a complete guide to aromatherapy? Visit yourcompleteguidetoaromatherapy.info for more information and resources on essential oil recipes. Also, visit our sister sites to learn about cheap whipped body butters.

aromatherapy, essential oils, fitness, healing, health, Massage, massage oil

Using Aromatherapy Massage Oils

Posted by Julia Sabinzky in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Julia Sabinzky

Aromatherapy Massage Oils are commonly used in combination with massage therapy as well as acupressure to treat certain conditions and afflictions. This type of treatment is note not advisable for all ailments – check with your physician first. The reason for this is due to the way that different herbs and botanicals react with your body.

Befor you start using aromatherapy oils, ou need to be aware of both the benefits and dangers of using as they relate to specific aromatherapy Massage Oils. Most of the oils used for aromatherapy massages are highly concentrated and cannot be used “neet” – in other words, they cannot be used in their concentrated form – they must be diluted. Also, you should know that some aromatherapy oils are for the skin, and others are for diffusers or burners – most of these cannot be combined!

Oils That Warm and Oils That Cool

One of the many benefits of aromatherapy Massage Oils are their warming and cooling properties. Some muscular conditions will benefit from a warming oil which will allow the muscles to relax and recover from their condition. Sesame and peppermint oils can cause warming to form in the place where the oil is applied and are great for massaging sore and overused muscles. Arnica and sandalwood are great when the muscles need to be cooled down.

Treating Muscle And Joint Pains

Essential oils are often used to give relief to people who suffer from joint and muscle pains. Some common conditions alleviated by the use of aromatherapy are arthritis, rheumatism, and cramps. Often, aromatherapy Massage Oils are effective in reducing inflammation and loosening tight muscles that can often be the cause of cramps. Sore muscles will often benefit from the massage therapy alone, but even more effective when combined with the soothing effects of aromatherapy.

The kneading from the massage itself does wonders for sore and tires muscles. Combined with the aromatic elixir that is aromatherapy massage oil, there are more benefits for the person.

Creating Ambience

Aromatherapy massage oil can also be used to set the mood or ambience. A person being massaged usually seeks to be more relaxed and calm, which is where aromatherapy massage oil enters. Many of the aromatherapy oils available in the market today cater to this purpose. Aromatherapy massage oil can be applied on the skin for the essences to permeate the skin and work their magic as well as be a stimulant to the sense of smell of the individual being massaged.

About the Author:
Julia Sabinzky is the owner and writer of a blog about how aromatherapy works. Julia is knowledgeable in many aspects of aromatherapy. You can get more great and free information at her aromatherapy site.

alternative medicine, aromatherapy, aromatherpay, essential oils, exercise, fitness, health, how does aromatherapy work, Massage

Guilt Free Winter Pleasures with Essential Oils

Posted by Caroline Heldman in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Susan Angelo

The Season is once again upon us. So much to do, and so many people to take care of. Through all the chaos, we’d like to always to a little something special to bring extra cheer to our gatherings of friends and family…but how? Ever tried ‘real’ aromatherapy? Not just a potpourri in the bathroom, or lemon-scented detergent. Real aromatherapy with pure essential oils. It can make a difference, creating a warm, friendly, familial atmosphere inspiring a smile on everyone’s faces. There may even be some health supporting side effects as well, just from smelling something good…

Essential oils offer a totally unique and effective means of creating a warm, familial atmosphere with relative ease. Our hearts and minds respond to aromas before we even ‘think’ about them. Before we’re able to decide whether we like or don’t like a particular smell, our body is already reacting physiologically. In the case of aromatherapy, we’re generally concerned with pleasant, healthy mind/body responses to aroma (and we’ll be discussing the strictly emotional and psychological aspects of aromatherapy here, saving its extremely important roll in our physical health for another time). In scientific studies, the simple aromatic use of pure essential oils has been shown to lower cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and promote endorphin release…they’ve even been shown to prevent rats from fighting. Imagine what they can do for your family!

Getting started with aromatherapy is a very simple process – you’ll need just a bottle of essential oil (single or blended – we’ll get to some suggestions in a moment) and a means to diffuse the aroma into your living space. Many great ‘seasonal’ essential oils are available at local health food stores or over the internet. Essential oil diffusers are often found at the same stores, with a wide selection of prices and style to suit your needs.

Warming diffusers do just that – warm the essential oils either from a cotton pad, or evaporate them from the surface of small bowl of water using a candle. These are inexpensive, easy to use, and make a smaller space smell wonderful. For a little larger area, a fan diffuser passes air over the oils and evaporates them more effectively. A little bit fancier still is an ultrasonic nebulizing diffuser, which is really a small humidifier specially made to make a mist of essential oils along with water. These are nice in dry areas or in homes with forced-air heat. Top-of-the-line are the cold-air nebulizing diffusers which make a mist of the pure essential oils themselves. Cold-air nebulizers can diffuse oils into a very large open area or at high concentrations if your therapeutic needs are such in the future.

And now for the fun part – the essential oils. There are SO many to choose from, and you may start by just browsing sites on the internet which will often have listings of over a hundred oils available. Here we’ll have a look at just a few of the favorites for this time of year. Perhaps the most popular are the ‘needle’ oils, distilled from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees. Balsam Fir is especially nice, with a lightly complex aroma of both high and middle notes. Black Spruce is another favorite, much for the same reason – their sweetness is quite uplifting, and their complexity keeps us interested. Juniper berry, while not strictly a ‘needle’ oil is also wonderfully bright and uplifting. While some find it a bit strong on its own, it blends very well with other essential oils distilled from evergreens.

Even somewhat more traditional for the season can be the more resinous oils of Frankincense, Sandalwood and Myrrh. These tend to be more earthy and grounding than the evergreen oils, perhaps a little more calming – exactly what many homes are in need of right about now. Each has unique characteristics: nice Frankincense will have both bright citrus notes and deeper woody notes. Sandalwood is a little softer, and is well known for its calming effects. Myrrh can be slightly sharper (look for a good quality one for the smoothest aroma) with a special scent and calming quality of its own. These three oils can successfully be blended together quite easily (try 2 parts Frankincense, 2 parts Sandalwood, 1 part Myrrh) or blend any one of them in small amounts with the evergreen oil of your choice.

Perhaps you want to get a little more creative? Choose some of your favorite aromas and experiment. Citrus oils like Sweet Orange and Bergamot are excellent, uplifting scents. Small amounts of oils like Clove or Cardamom can be added to spice things up (Cinnamon is not generally recommended for diffuser use, as it can be too potent even in very small amounts). The common floral aromas of Lavender and Chamomile can be useful for soothing the young ones. If you’d like to create your own blend, but don’t have a recipe, its often best to make a small amount first, counting by single drops the amount of each oil until you like they way they’re blending. Then make a larger amount based on the ratios of the drops you’ve used.

You’ll really only need one essential oil, or maybe a just a few if you’re feeling adventurous, to get you started. About one-half ounce (15 milliliters) of any pure essential oil will last several days, and you won’t be sorry you have some left over if you don’t use it all by the end of the year. A little pure essential oil goes a long way; it’s always better to get a little hint of aroma than to be overwhelmed by it, so start slowly if this is your first time. With a little intuition, you can create a warm, comfortable, calm and/or happy atmosphere naturally with essential oils – and you’ll have added that extra little something that can bring bigger smiles to your family’s faces this season.

About the Author:
You may even try using Flower Essences like Rescue Remedy, along with calming essential oils during the holiday season. For more, visit www.anandaapothecary.com

alternative health, aromatherapy, children, christmas, disease, essential oils, family, health, holidays, home, illness, Massage, natural health, women

Nature’s Profound Pain Reliever: Helichrysum Italicum

Posted by Melissa Anderson in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Judy Spitz

There’s a little known secret in natural therapeutics — the profound healing pain relief of Helichrysum italicum essential oil. Its action is nothing short of amazing, though this information is rarely offered directly by aromatherapy companies due to advertising restrictions. Throughout the medical aromatherapy texts however, this fantastic oil is lauded for its broad range of healing effects on the body’s tissues. Here’s a quick primer on using this oil for yourself and your loved ones.

The pure essential oil steam distilled from the flowers of the Helicrhysum italicum plant is an absolutely remarkable healing agent. Not just compared to natural medicines, but compared to ALL pain relieving medicines available today. It is safe, effective, and easy-to-use. The oil is listed in ‘Essential Oil Safety’ as non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. It is regularly prescribed for undiluted application to the skin (where very few other essential oils are). Most conservatively, the oil is sometimes said to be avoided during pregnancy, and by young children — but this warning is not found in today’s most advanced aromatherapy texts. If your situation is questionable, check with a health professional before use, but know that Helichrysum essential oil is considered to be exceptionally safe.

It’s the efficacy — the ability to reduce pain and heal that is most remarkable about Helichrysum. Nearly every form of pain seems to respond positively to Helichrysum essential oil application. Joint pain, back pain, muscular and connective tissue pain, nerve pain, and pain resulting from injury, surgery and trauma can all be helped. The most common usage of the essential oil is a dilution in Jojoba oil, massaged into the affected areas a few times a day. The oil can also be used completely undiluted if desired for the most severe or immediate situations.

Making our own formulation is very easy to do. It is recommended to start of with lower dilutions and work your way up only if necessary; this helps you conserve the precious oil by only using as much as required for the desired results. Forty drops of Helicrysum in each ounce of carrier oil will create an approximate 5 percent dilution; eighty drops for a 10 percent dilution; etc. The pure essential oil, not diluted in any carrier oil, is recommended when a trauma has just occurred, to prevent further tissue damage due to swelling and oxidative free-radicals. For example, a twisted ankle could receive a few drops of the pure oil from a fingertip, massaged into the painful region immediately after the injury, and several times over the next 24 hours.

In addition to its pain-relieving action, the pure essential oil includes natural constituents which actually speed wound healing. It is thought that this is a result of the oil quenching free radicals in the injured area, and signaling tissues to regenerate. For these reasons, Helichrysum is also found in many formulas for healing and anti-aging of the skin. Helichrysum is also excellent for burns, and just a little bit of oil on small burns can provide immediate relief. (If using for injuries with broken skin, avoid use if excessive bleeding is an issue, as the oil acts as an anticoagulant. Use only once bleeding has stopped completely, and is not likely to be of concern again in these cases).

The most potently-healing Helichrysum essential oil is considered to be the ‘serotinum’ sub-species grown on the island of Corsica, France. The oil is often distilled from wild growing plants, which can be the strongest healers due to their synergistic relationship with their natural environment. The oil is also distilled from Helichrysum italicum flowers grown around Europe; one may try more than one source to find the oil that works best for them.

The profoundly effective action for pain relief provided by Helichrysum italicum essential oil is one of natural medicine’s most wonderful treasures. With its exceptional ratings for safety, efficacy and ease-of-use, the oil is unsurpassed as a healing agent for all sorts of pain. Its quick, gentle action is appreciated by the great majority of users, and is worth investigating for your own needs.

About the Author:
The author is the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for world-class Lavender and other essential oils, therapeutic essential oil blends and aromatherapy supplies.

alternative health, alternative medicine, aromatherapy, disease, essential oils, family, health, illness, Massage, natural, natural health, therapy, wellness, women

Beautiful Skin Made Easy with Simple Aromatherapy Blends

Posted by Jean Patton in Massage - (Comments Off)
by Jean Patton

The aim of any natural therapy is to restore balance to the body – the same is true in using essential oils for skin care. With natural aromatherapy oils and ‘base’ ingredients, you can support and nourish the skin in a way superior to any synthetic product. While dramatic results can sometimes be seen with skin care ingredients made in a laboratory, natural botanicals can, when properly blended and applied, support long-lasting change without harsh chemical side effects.

Basic (yet very effective) aromatherapy blends for your skin will use some formula of essential oils from plants and flowers, based in a nutritive carrier oil, usually a seed or nut oil. These types of blends provide the powerful therapeutic healing effects of essential oils with the nutritive essential fatty acids of the carriers. Making your own blends is a very simple process; simply measure the proper amounts of carrier oils into a one, two, or four ounce mixing bottle (one with an eye dropper top are best, providing an easy way to dispense the blend) and add the essential oils, mixing as you go.

There are a few essential oils most often used in skin care recipes – you can pick and choose from among these depending on your desired results. Other essential oils may be added to enhance the aroma of your blend; many oils used to do so are also are know to relieve tension or bring about a healthy state of mind – and most natural clinicians will tell you that beauty starts from the inside-out. So make something you love the smell of that also helps your skin glow!

These few primary skin care oils include the following: Helichrysum italicum – the oil of this flower is one of the most highly regarded in aromatherapy for it’s great versatility. It has a pleasant aroma, it contains rare ‘di-ketones’ which stimulate the skin’s natural metabolism, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory (all tissue damage and aging is associated with inflammation on a cellular level). Lavender oil – ‘true’ or ‘French’ Lavender is the most used oil in aromatherapy today because of it’s great multitude of effects. Like Helichrysum, it contains regenerative ketones; it reduces inflammation; it speeds wound healing; AND it has an aroma very well known for its relaxing effects – easing tension while healing your skin – could you ask for more? Next up is Rosemary of the ‘verbenone’ type. It also contains ketones (that the cineol type does not) and is known as a circulatory and metabolism stimulant, increasing the flow of nutrients in, and waste products out, of your skin cells. Palmarosa essential oil is included in many blends for it’s gentle cleansing and antiseptic properties. And last but not least, Carrot Seed oil is the premier oil for regenerating tired, lifeless skin – often a result from too much stress or high levels of pollutant exposure.

This is only a few of the many essential oils included in skin formulas, though these are considered among the most important for their broad range of effects. Almost any essential oil can be added to a blend in balanced quantities. In many cases, oils are added as much for their lovely aroma as their direct therapeutic benefits to skin tissue. Many aromatherapists, and natural health professionals for that matter, consider the overall mental and emotional condition to be of primary importance in creating an appearance of fitness and beauty. Many citrus and floral oils are used for this reason – Neroli, distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, is an often used example. Others are Jasmine, Sandalwood (very popular in Men’s skin care), Geranium and Ylang Ylang.

The essential oils are almost never applied to the skin undiluted (Lavender is a rare exception). Instead, they are added to what are known as ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oils. Diluting the essential oil in carrier not only stretches your dollar, but the oils actually are more effective this way! Research has shown that most essential oils have the most dramatic therapeutic effects at concentrations of less than 5% of the total blend. And the carriers have their own positive effects; besides helping your skin absorb the essential oils, they provide nutrients such as essential fatty acids, and vitamin compounds which enhance the skin’s health.

A few of the most important carrier oils include the following: Rosehip Seed Oil is highly regarded for it’s regenerating effects for skin which has been over-exposed to the sun or has other damage. It includes a variety of Vitamin A which acts to increase cellular turnover, similar to Retin-A without the over-drying side effects. Numerous scientific studies have validated this oil’s positive effects on damaged or prematurely aged skin. Next is Evening Primrose Oil, which has a significant quantities of gamma-linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid. Evening Primrose oil has been used to support skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and may help premature skin aging. Finally, Hazelnut oil is possibly the most commonly used base oil for skin care; it is gentle, has little aroma, and is suitable for all skin types. Often, small amounts of Rosehip seed and/or Evening Primrose oil will be included in a blend, with Hazelnut oil comprising the majority of the carrier mixture.

Here are several blends categorized by skin type to get you started. For normal skin, used at any time: In each ounce of Hazelnut Oil, add 15 drops Thyme Linalool, 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone, 15 drops Neroli, and 15 drops Spike Lavender; this blend can work well for acne with it’s antiseptic properties, but is an excellent tonic for all skin types.

If your skin has been chemically damaged, is overly-sensitive, or otherwise ‘weakened’ with broken capillaries, try this mixture, applying frequently: For each ounce of base oil, use three parts Hazelnut, one part Rosehip Seed, and one part Evening Primrose. Add the following essential oils: fifteen drops Moroccan Chamomile, fifteen drops Helichrysum, fifteen drops true Lavender, and fifteen drops Roman Chamomile. The Helichrysum, Lavender and Rosehip seed will enhance the skin’s own natural metabolism, and the addition of the Chamomiles will greatly reduce inflammation that is found with almost all damage and/or aging.

If your skin is prone to acne, or has over-active sebaceous glands, the following blend can be of great assistance. It contains regenerative, antiseptic, and cleansing oils. Simply use Hazelnut as the base, and to each ounce include fifteen drops of Green Myrtle or Inula graveolens, fifteen drops Eucalyptus dives (because of the ketones in this oil, it should not be used if pregnant – or under 10 years of age – but is otherwise considered safe), fifteen drops Spike Lavender, and fifteen drops Rosemary verbenone.

For skin appearing tired and lifeless, and a healthy glow with this blend: 1/5th ounce of Rosehip Seed and 4/5ths ounce Hazelnut oil. To this add 15 drops Carrot Seed essential oil, 15 drops Lemon verbena, 15 drops Niaouli, and 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone. The strong, revitalizing qualities of Carrot Seed and the firming effect of Niaouli combine with the natural detoxifying properties of the Rosemary and Lemon verbena to make an excellent restorative blend. For aging skin, for tightening and regeneration, blend in 5 ounces of Hazelnut oil and 1 ounce of Rosehip seed oil, 15 drops of Green Myrtle, 15 drops of Cistus or Rock Rose essential oil, and 15 drops of Rosemary Verbenone. The essential oil concentration is kept low here so the blend can be used near the eyes – if any irritation occurs, limit use near sensitive areas.

These blends are tried and true combinations of essential oils (see Kurt Schnaubelt’s “Advanced Aromatherapy – the Science of Essential Oil Therapy”). They will help get you started into the wonderful world of natural health and beauty. There is a blend here that can suit the needs of nearly every individual; yet there are no hard and fast rules. You can blend oils to your own tastes and needs, just keep in mind that more is not usually better in natural medicine and therapeutics – a balance is important. Most essential oils work best at concentrations below 5% of the total blend in a carrier. For best results, once you begin to experiment, allow your intuition to lead you to the oils and combinations that work best for you.

About the Author:
The author is a co-founder of Ananda Aromatherapy Essential Oils. More information on the therapeutic use of aromathee oils can be found at The Ananda Apothecary.

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