April 05, 2023

How to Use Essential Oils for the Skin

Our skin’s appearance is often the focus of an abundance of beauty advice, tips, video tutorials, and a flood of products promising to perfect every imperfection we see in the mirror. Unfortunately, most of this advice perpetuates biased, unattainable ideals of beauty, and many of the products often contain chemical ingredients that are harmful to our health.

At our core, we believe that beauty is a perception that comes from within. Our self-confidence, self-love, and the energy we invest in self-care radiate outward and influence how others perceive us.

In this journey of natural and healthy self-care, essential oils are a wonderful option. Essential oils are 100% natural botanicals that offer numerous benefits for our skin, leaving it nourished and rejuvenated, while their heavenly scents promote relaxation and well-being.

We invite you to discover how you can nourish and love your skin deeply in a wholesome way:

1. Identify your skin's concerns

Look into the mirror and observe your skin without judgment or criticism. Is it dry, eczematous, hyperpigmented, or sagging in some areas? Do fine lines bother you? Skincare should never make you feel sad or stressed, quite the opposite, it should feel like a joyful celebration of who you are.

2. Set realistic goals for improving your skin

Start with small changes, knowing that goals may change over time and that definite change happens slowly. Be patient and savor the aromatic experience of loving yourself through skincare.

3. Select the right essential oils to achieve your goals.

When selecting essential oils, it's important to consider your goals and skin concerns. With a vast array of options available, each essential oil has unique properties that can cater to your specific needs.

For facial skin, floral essential oils are a gentle and effective choice.

Nature speaks in subtle ways, and the delicate petals of flowers convey a message of smoothness, fragrance, and care.

4. Set up a skin-loving routine and follow it consistently.

The foundation of a good skincare routine is built upon four essential steps: cleansing, balancing, moisturizing, and nourishing. Indulging in this ritual every morning and evening will make your skin feel refreshed, nourished, happy and glowing.

Essential Oils for Facial Skincare

Rose Essential Oil

● Moisturises: being a natural emollient, it helps to lock in moisture in the skin. It is particularly beneficial for those with dry, dehydrated, or mature skin.

● Anti-aging: Contains antioxidants that help to protect the skin against free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. It also helps to stimulate collagen production, which can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

● Soothes skin: Its anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe irritated and inflamed skin. It is particularly helpful for those with sensitive skin or conditions such as rosacea or eczema.

● Improves skin tone: Astringent properties help to tighten and tone the skin, which can reduce the appearance of pores and give the skin a more even, radiant complexion.

● Fights acne: Antibacterial properties help to fight acne-causing bacteria. It also helps to regulate sebum production, which can prevent breakouts.

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Geranium Essential Oil

● Balances oil production: making it useful for both oily and dry skin types.

● Soothes skin: Anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe irritated and inflamed skin. It can also help to reduce redness and swelling.

● Tightens skin: Astringent properties can help to tighten and firm the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

● Fights acne: Antibacterial properties can help to fight acne-causing bacteria.

● Improves skin texture: making it smoother and more supple. It can also help to reduce the appearance of scars and other blemishes.

● Promotes circulation: Geranium essential oil can help to promote circulation, which can improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.

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Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

● Balances oil production: making it useful for both oily and dry skin types.

● Soothes skin: Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties can help to soothe irritated and inflamed skin. It can also help to reduce redness and swelling.

● Hydrates skin: Ylang-ylang essential oil is a natural moisturizer that can help to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness.

● Lightens dark spots: Contains antibacterial properties that can help to heal and lighten dark spots.

● Improves skin tone: Ylang Ylang essential oil has astringent properties that can help to tighten and tone the skin, reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines, and giving the skin a more even, radiant complexion.

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Lavender Essential Oil

● Soothes skin: Lavender essential oil is well-known for its soothing properties. It can help to soothe irritated and inflamed skin, as well as reduce redness and swelling.

● Skin healing: Contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to promote the healing of minor cuts, burns, and other skin irritations.

● Fights acne: Contains antibacterial properties which can prevent breakouts.

● Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Its antioxidant properties can help to protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging.

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Chamomile Essential Oil

● Soothes skin: Its calming properties can help to soothe irritated and inflamed skin, as well as reduce redness and swelling.

● Promotes healing: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties help to promote the healing of minor cuts, burns, eczema, and other skin irritations.

● Moisturises skin: helps to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness.

● Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Chamomile essential oil has antioxidant properties that can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

● Calms sensitive skin: Chamomile essential oil is gentle and can help to calm sensitive skin, making it useful for those with conditions such as eczema or rosacea.

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Neroli Essential Oil

● Promotes skin regeneration: helps to stimulate the growth of new cells, which promotes skin regeneration and improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

● Moisturizes skin: Neroli essential oil is a natural moisturizer that can help to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness.

● Fights acne: Contains antibacterial properties that can help to fight acne-causing bacteria.

● Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Antioxidant properties help to protect the skin from free radical damage helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

● Calms sensitive skin: making it useful for those with conditions such as eczema or rosacea.

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Neroli essential oil being held by a hand

DIY Skincare Routine with Essential Oils

Cleansing:

Skin clogged by dirt, oil, and impurities will lead to breakouts and other skin problems. It will also be unreceptive to nourishment and other treatments, so the first step of a skin-loving routine is to ensure the skin is adequately cleansed every morning and every night.

Try this Rose Honey Cleanser:

Ingredients:

18 drops of Rose Essential Oil
20ml of Raw Honey
30ml of unscented Castile Soap
10ml of Jojoba Oil.
Combine all ingredients in a glass container and stir until well combined.
Store it in a dark glass bottle with a pump dispenser.

Directions:

Apply 2 or 3 pumps to a reusable makeup pad or a reusable washcloth and massage gently in a circular motion over damp skin. Remove with lukewarm water using a clean washcloth.

**Dilution: 1%

Balancing:

After cleansing a freshener or a toner will help to restore the acid mantle on your skin, maintaining the skin's natural pH levels. Balancing will also help to prevent over-drying or over-moisturising, which can lead to skin issues such as acne, dryness, or sensitivity.

Try this Calendula and Chamomile Balancing Toner:

Boil 250ml of water and steep 2 tablespoons of dried calendula flowers for a couple of minutes.
Strain to remove the flowers and let the infused water cool down to room temperature.
Add 3 drops of Chamomile essential oil, and 3 drops of Lavender essential oil and stir well.
Store in a 250ml dark glass bottle with a mister spray.

Directions:

Spray over the face every morning and evening after cleansing.

Moisturising:

Helps to hydrate and nourish the skin, improve its texture and appearance, and prevent dryness and flakiness. It also helps to protect the skin's natural barrier and maintain its elasticity, reducing the signs of aging.

Try this Chamomile, Rose & Geranium Daily Moisturiser:

Ingredients:

20 drops of Rose Essential Oil
8 drops of Chamomile Essential Oil
8 drops of Geranium Essential Oil
50ml Jojoba Oil
10ml Sweet Almond Oil
Combine all ingredients in a glass container and stir until well combined.
Store in a dark glass bottle with a dropper dispenser.

Directions:

Every morning after cleansing and balancing apply a drop to each cheek and gently massage outwards and upwards. Repeat over the chin and jawline. Apply a drop to the nose, then move upwards to the forehead and massage from the center to the sides. Apply another drop on the tip of your finger. Spread it over the lips and gently tap the remaining oil around the eye area.

**Dilution: 2%

Nourishing:

Provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that help to improve overall health and vitality, reduce inflammation and irritation, and enhance the skin’s natural radiance and glow. This can be achieved through a balanced diet, supplements, and skincare products containing nourishing ingredients such as natural carrier oils, essential oils, botanical extracts, and vitamins.

Try this Ylang Ylang, Lvander & Neroli Night Nourishing Oil for ageing skin:

Ingredients:

16 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
10 drops of Neroli Essential Oil
10 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
40ml of Sweet Almond Oil
20ml of Jojoba Oil
Combine all ingredients in a glass container and stir gently until well combined.
Store in a dark glass bottle with a dropper dispenser.

Directions:

In the evening, after cleansing and balancing apply a drop of this nourishing oil to each cheek and gently massage outwards and upwards. Repeat on the chin and jawline. Apply a drop to the nose, then move upwards to the forehead and from the center to the sides. Apply another drop on the tip of your finger. Spread it over the lips and gently tap the remaining oil around the eye area.

**Dilution: 2%

Essential Oils for Safe and Effective Skin Care

● Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before topical application

● Keep your DIY blends in tightly sealed dark glass bottles or jars, away from sunlight and from the reach of children

● Make sure to label your bottles with:

● Dilution

● Date of preparation and expiry

● List of the ingredients

● Patch test before use and discontinue use if irritation occurs.

The journey of aromatherapy skincare is more than just using essential oils for their skincare benefits. It is a holistic approach to caring for oneself, encompassing the mind, body, and spirit. By incorporating essential oils into your skincare routine, you are providing nourishment to your skin and indulging in a self-care ritual that promotes relaxation, stress relief, and overall well-being.

We invite you to embark on this journey of self-love today and discover the transformative power of essential oils for yourself.

Shop floral essential oils for skincare

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Author: Filipa Garin
Qualified Aromatherapist

Filipa is a certified aromatherapy practitioner, specializing in skin rejuvenation, clinical aromatherapy, and flower remedies. Her knowledge and passion for plants stem from a life among books and flowers and her studies and practice in Clinical Aromatherapy, Bush Flower Remedies, Skincare, and Herbalism. Her mission is to empower people through self-love and botanical knowledge, to help them heal and flourish, and to foster a deep appreciation for nature.

Learn more here.