When you think of essential oils, you may remember smelling an aromatherapy blend of lavender or eucalyptus diffused into the air for relaxation at a spa. Or, perhaps you’ve used tea tree oil topically to help naturally disinfect a minor wound or infection. No matter what your experience has been with essential oils, one thing is for sure – there are just as many types of essentials oils as there are uses, and that includes using essential oils for beauty!
Keep reading to learn more about which essential oils you should have in your beauty arsenal! This is by no means a complete guide; it’s just a way to get you started. For this article, we’ll focus mostly on maintaining clear, healthy-looking skin.
If You Have Acne
For acne-prone skin, or even the occasional combination skin with a one-off blemish caused by stress – as mentioned above, tea tree oil, a potent essential oil, makes a fantastic DIY zit zapper! Just carefully place one drop on a Q-tip directly on your oily zit once a day for 3-4 days in a row, and you will see a difference!
Just don’t get the strong scented, natural astringent anywhere near your sensitive areas, such as any internal parts or your delicate eyes. Also, keep tea tree oil away from pets, as it can be fatal to them.
Also, don’t overuse tea tree oil, since it is very strong, and it is usually recommended that you dilute it first into a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil. However, since we’re dealing with zits here, that extra oil may not help, so we suggest opting for the one-drop option instead. Just be aware that if you use tea tree oil on your skin too much, it can dry it out. So don’t use it on sensitive skin or super dry, flaky skin.
Another wonderful natural astringent against acne is lemon essential oil. You can mix 10 drops of lemon oil with ¼ cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of distilled water. Then apply a small dab onto your skin with a cotton ball or a pad. It stinks a bit at first, but it will do the job! Just rinse your face when you’re done and put on your moisturizer afterwards.
If You Have Sore Muscles or Tired Skin
If your body is overworked, chances are you probably don’t look or feel your best. Sore muscles and joints, or tired, dull skin may be a reality after a busy day or a tiresome workout, but never fear – peppermint essential oil is here! It is a common ingredient in over-the-counter sports lotions and gels used to relax achy muscles, and perk up lackluster skin. The menthol within the oil has a natural cooling effect on inflamed spots.
Also, if you’re feeling stressed, you can add a couple drops to a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil, and apply a tiny bit to your temples (avoiding the eyes again) to help support alertness and a healthy mood, while soothing a minor headache. This type of formula is also often available at local farmers’ markets as a headache balm in a convenient travel-sized stick or tube.
Need a pick-me-up? You can even add a drop or two of food-grade peppermint essential oil to an 8 oz glass of sparkling water to calm an upset stomach, or for taste. (It makes a delicious wintery refreshment if you’re avoiding sodas or alcoholic beverages!)
Other Uses of Essential Oils for Beauty
To support healthy-looking hair, try lavender (to condition), rosemary (to stimulate circulation in the scalp), clary sage (to promote hair growth), and sandalwood (to soothe dry ends). For great skin, use lavender (to heal and cleanse), ylang ylang (to stimulate cell growth), or chamomile (to soothe inflamed skin). For nail support, try lavender (to strengthen weak, brittle nails), as well as frankincense, myrrh, and lemon essential oils (to promote moisture and reduce thinning or breakage).
Which are your favorite essential oils for beauty? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Photo by Tiara Leitzman on Unsplash
