Aromatherapy Skin Care Products and Solutions

Some of the most popular uses of aromatherapy involve promoting relaxation or stress-relief via essential oil candles or burners. The properties of many essential oils have additional therapeutic properties that can heal and beautify the skin, as well. Aromatherapy skin care products and applications offer natural solutions to many common skin conditions. You can soften, smooth, heal or clarify as part of a personalized aromatherapy skin care regimen.

Certain essential oils are excellent for soothing chapped or dry skin and can be used on elbows, lips, and hands. Others have astringent or antibacterial properties that make them ideal for treating acne, small cuts, or wounds. Balancing oily or dry skin can also be achieved through aromatherapy skin care. Whatever the condition, chances are there is an essential oil product that can help alleviate the symptoms.

Application and Safety

Aromatherapy essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts. To safely be applied to skin, they must be diluted with skin-safe products. Improper application of essential oils could cause skin irritation or worse! Seek professional guidance before crafting or using your own aromatherapy skin care products. The following information can get you started:

• Carrier OilsCarrier oils are plant, fruit, and seed or nut oils used for diluting aromatherapy oils for safe application to the skin. Carrier oils have little to no scent and serve as base oils for mixing aromatherapy bath, massage, or skin care products. The shelf-life of carrier oils is generally less than 3 months, so it is best to mix small quantities of any aromatherapy skin care product to maintain its freshness and therapeutic properties.
  
  Carrier oil based aromatherapy skin care product recipe:
  
  Mix 1 tsp. (6 ml) of apricot kernel, avocado, wheat germ or sweet almond oil with 3 drops of essential oil to create your own aromatherapy skin care product. Jojoba and cocoa butter are other excellent carrier oil choices. For mixing larger quantities, use 10-15 drops of essential oil per 25 ml (1 fl. oz) of carrier oil.


• Unscented MoisturizerAs an alternative to using carrier oils, try mixing essential oils with store-bought, unscented moisturizer. Mix essential oils and unscented moisturizer in the same proportions suggested for carrier oil dilution.
• HydrosolsThe process of distilling essential oils from plant extracts yields not only essential oils, but hydrosols, as well. Hydrosols are the scented waters which are a byproduct of the distillation process. Only pure hydrosols should be used for aromatherapy skin care. Avoid synthetically manufactured or chemically produced “floral waters.”
  
  Hydrosols are lighter, milder versions of aromatherapy essential oils. As such, they are frequently used in facial skin care products or where sensitivity is of greater concern. Many can be used without dilution, although some recipes call for blending hydrosols either with each other, carrier oils, or additional natural products.
  
  Some hydrosols need to be heated prior to use, and nearly all should be kept refrigerated and stored carefully to avoid spoiling or contamination. Follow the instructions provided with each hydrosol for safe usage and storage.
  
  Lavender hydrosol serves as an excellent skin toner. Melissa (lemon balm) hydrosol can help clear eczema, acne and other skin irritations. Roman chamomile and rosewater are other popular hydrosols for skin care.