Aromatherapy in Skin Care

I found this article about aromatherapy and skin care on The Times of India. The article was published on July 24, 2010, and highlights how aromatherapy is used in skin care. Now while many of you may already use essential oils in your homemade creams, as do I, at the end of the article you will find some nice essential oil blending combinations for different skin types or skin problems.


Aromatherapy for a soft, supple skin


Skincare in aromatherapy is about the use of essential oils in different treatments for the skin. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the first step to having beautiful and healthy skin; aromatherapy skin care is the next. 

You will be amazed at how many different oils can help soothe aging, injured and dry skin. The appropriate aromatherapy skin care treatment can help reduce the fine lines from aging, besides curing bug bite or bee sting. 

There is more to aromatherapy than oil massages and perfumed candles. Very few know that aromatherapy skincare is another part of the holistic treatment that aromatherapy is all about. The oils used in aromatherapy skincare are absorbed into the skin and eventually into the bloodstream where they flow through the whole body, and have a lasting effect. 

Firstly, it is critical to recognise your skin and hair type. Each plant’s essential oils provide a number of different therapeutic benefits, so knowing about your skin and hair will help you match up your needs with the appropriate ingredients. 
There are some outstanding benefits of aromatherapy but before undergoing aromatherapy you must know some basic facts about your skin. Most women suffer from dry skin. There are many simple solutions for dry skin for instance, keeping it moisturised with a suitable moisturiser. Also you can use aromatherapy to treat dry skin. 

Just add carrier oil into suitable essential oil according to your skin type. You can massage this mixture to dry skin areas of your skin. 

If your skin is prone to irritation or allergies then you must carefully choose aromatherapy skin care and hair care products. For those consumers who are using these products for the first time apply them on a patch of skin and wait for the results. 

For treatment of normal or average skin, you can use lavender, rose or chamomile essential oils. 

For sensitive or dry skin you can use chamomile oil, it is particularly beneficial for a skin predisposed to eczema or acne. 

Acne is a condition that occurs in children and adult. We are always anxious to get rid of acne and with the help of aromatherapy you can treat your acne. Tea tree and cajuput oils are very beneficial in the treatment of mild acne. Vital oils like grape seed and high-quality carrier oil mixture also provide an effective treatment of acne. To produce a toner it is recommended to blend some drops with rose water. 

A moisturiser protects the skin from moisture loss, helping to keep it soft, smooth and supple. It also protects the skin from the penetration of grime, chemicals and bacteria. The moisturiser should be applied to the skin while it is still slightly damp from balancing. This enhances the moisturising effect. The moisturiser should be gently spread first on the neck, then on the face. The skin should not be dragged particularly around the delicate eye area. 

Ideally, a moisturiser with a vegetable oil base should be used on the skin. Mineral oil is not compatible with the skin, therefore the baby lotions and petroleum jelly products should be avoided.

Moisturising your skin is as easy as adding suitable carrier oil into an essential oil that’s appropriate for your skin type and then massaging the combined treatment into your skin. 
To use any of these oils, add several drops into your favorite fragrance-free face mask and use as directed. Or add right into your bath water. 

Palmarosa oils are commonly used in both skin and hair care products. These oils have moisturising and hydrating qualities and they stimulate cell regeneration. 

When excess exposure to the sun is a problem, massage affected areas with lavender or chamomile oil blended with carrier oil. 

Try any of the following combinations that will turn a normal day or night cream into beneficial aromatherapy treatment. 

The ratio is two drops of aromatherapy oil to 4fl oz (100 ml) of cream, either used singly or in combination. 

Oily skin 
Day cream : Lavender, basil, chamomile, lemon 
Night cream : Lavender, neroli, chamomile 

Acne 
Day cream : Lemongrass, bergamot, lavender 

Tea tree and cajeput oils also can help with acne. A good carrier oil to mix with these essential oils is grape seed. You can also mix several drops with rose water to create a toner. 

Dry skin 
Day cream : Rose, geranium, neroli 
Night cream : Frankincense (known for its rejuvenating effect), jasmine, rose, ylang ylang. 

Hyper-sensitive skin 
Day cream : Chamomile, lavender 
Night cream : Neroli, jasmine, rose, chamomile 

Broken capillaries 
Day cream : Peppermint, lavender, lemon 
Night cream : Neroli, rose, chamomile 

Sandalwood oil is effective at reducing some visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and dry skin. Rose oils, frankincense, neroli and geranium oils are also effective in treating mature skin. 

Normal skin 
Day cream : Lavender, rose 
Night cream : Lavender, rose, neroli 

(The writer, Dr Naresh Arora, is a cosmetologist and aroma-therapist. He runs the Delhi-based Chase Aromatherapy and Skin Care Institute, and also conducts workshops and lecture seminars on aromatherapy in India and abroad.)