If you’re a lover of nature then you may already know about essential oils and how to use them in your beauty routine, but for those of you who aren’t familiar with these wonderful oils you’re in for a wonderful treat.

Also known as volatile and ethereal oil, essential oil is a concentrated liquid containing the scent or flavor of the plant from which it comes. It is used in cosmetics, perfumes, incense, candles, medicines, household cleaning products and flavorings for food and drink.

Because essential oils are highly concentrated, you should take great care when applying them to your skin directly. Most essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil to prevent severe skin irritation or provoke an allergic reaction as well as help lubricate the skin. Carriers are generally oils containing fats such as vegetable oils. Many of these you can find in your own home or your local supermarket. Oils like Soy Bean, Grapeseed, safflower and sunflower oil are all excellent choices as a carrier. If you have very dry skin you might also consider mixing a sweet almond or avocado oil to the vegetable oil.

Mix only what you’re planning to use since essential oils do not have a very long shelf life. If you’d like to extend your essential oil’s shelf life you can add a few drops of wheatgerm oil to the mix. Wheatgerm oil not only acts as a preservative, but it can help heal scars as well.

Essential oils can easily be incorporated into your beauty routine in many ways.

Try adding about five to ten drops to your bath water to nourish skin just before getting into the water. You can mix and match essential oils for different mood effects. For a relaxing bath try rose and cypress oil. For a more refreshing bath try lavender and lemon oil. These oils are also excellent for massage or if applied to skin after showering as well.

Add several drops of essential oil to your pedicure or manicure bath. You get not only the benefits of softer and wonderful smelling skin, but the oil acts as a cuticle softener as well. Try peppermint for the feet and lavender for the hands.

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil blend into a large bowl of hot steaming water and position your face over the bowl for a relaxing facial. Facials are a wonderful way to healthier skin by helping to open up clogged pores.

Add several drops of essential oil to your favorite shampoo or conditioner. Not will the oil leave your hair smelling wonderful, but you get the added benefit of extra conditioning to your hair. This can especially be beneficial if you have dandruff or dry scalp.

Add a few drops of essential oil to your favorite unscented moisturizer for a calm or refreshing experience.

Add two to three drops of lavender or rosemary oil on your natural bristle brush for great smelling frizz-free hair and to help condition and protect the bristles on your brush.

If you own a sauna you can add two drops of pine or eucalyptus oil per half pint of water thrown onto the coals for a great skin cleanser.

If you own a Jacuzzi or hot tub add ten to fifteen drops of your favorite essential oil to the water for a relaxing or invigorating experience.

The following is a quick guide to the benefits of a few of the more common essential oils.

Chamomile is beneficial for eczema when blended with a carrier oil and massaged into the affected area.

Rosemary can be used to help treat dandruff when blended with a carrier oil and massaged into the scalp before shampooing.

Spearmint is excellent for cleansing and tightening pores. Add a few drops to a hot facial steam.

Sandalwood is wonderful for flaky, irritated or acne problem skin when mixed with a carrier oil and massaged into skin.

Tea Tree is effective against dandruff. Mix with a carrier oil and massage into scalp or add to your favorite shampoo and conditioner.

While these are only a few common essential oils you can try in your beauty routine, there are many, many more available at your local health and some beauty stores. Experiment with your favorite scents and combine them to make other wonderful scents. There are also many books available on essential oils and aromatherapy to help you find the right essential oil that will meet your particular needs.

Use caution however as many of the citrus peel oils can cause your skin to burn when exposed to sunlight. Also there are some essential oils that can be very toxic if taken internally. Essential oils should be kept out of reach of children and pets as some can be very toxic if taken internally. Keep essential oils away from pets externally as well, especially cats since they can be very harmful to your precious animals.

Also don’t be misled by perfume or fragrance oils. These are not the same as essential oils. They contain unnatural chemicals that can be very harmful to your delicate skin and don’t offer the same therapeutic benefits as essential oils do.

Now enjoy and Happy Essential Oil Hunting!

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