The Soothing Benefits of Essential Oils in Skincare Products

Essential Oils

The Soothing Benefits of Essential Oils in Skincare Products

​Everything that we think and perceive in our environment is through our senses. It allows us to differentiate what is good for us, and what is hazardous to our health.   One of the most sensitive senses through which we can perceive many sensations is the sense of smell.  Smells have an enigmatic influence over us. We may be compelled to react in many ways based off a specific scent. The scent of a food may trigger our stomachs to growl.  An odor such as smoke or a certain chemical can alert us of danger.  A specific scent can transport us to a different time in our lives and affect our mood.  This can be both gratifying and debilitating.  

​In the universe of aromas, we can find a wide variety of essences of natural origin that have many benefits for the human body. These essences are popularly known as essential oils.  In this article, we are going to introduce you to the properties and benefits of the most well-known essential oils used in natural skin care products. In this way, you will be able to select the essential oil that suits your needs and interests.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

Natural Herbs and Flowers

​Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants, seeds, tree barks, roots, and flowers.  They are able to penetrate the epidermis, or skin, to the dermis, the thick layer of tissue under the skin.  Essential oils have a low molecular weight, and this component makes them compatible with cell membranes. They all have a unique aroma and are made for a variety of purposes. Essential oils are usually found in a liquid state in the form of perfumes and oils.

​Although essential oils are most used as a fragrance, they are also used for their antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-killing properties.  

Essential oils are administered in 3 ways:

• Topical essential oils are absorbed through the skin.  They are diluted in an oil, cream, soap, or ointment, and applied directly to the skin for maximum absorption. 
• Oral essential oils are used specifically for relieving and treating internal and digestive infections. However, there are essential oils that are not recommended for ingestion.  They are birch, cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, evergreen, and white fir.  Pregnant and nursing women are not recommended to ingest essential oils of any kind.
• Essential oils are inhaled by use of salts and diffusers to provide aromatherapy, and to treat respiratory certain infections.  Direct inhalation is not recommended for people who suffer from asthma. 

THE BEST-KNOWN ESSENTIAL OILS

Popular Essential Oils

Here is a list of the most used and accessible essential oils:

• Peppermint.
• Chamomile.
• Lavender.
• Orange.
• Lemongrass.
• Lemon.
• Eucalyptus.
• Rosemary.
• Geranium.
• Jasmine.
• Tea Tree.
• Cedarwood.
• Sandalwood.

The majority of essential oils are used for body care, while there are used therapeutically to relieve and treat specific ailments and discomforts.  Some have relaxing properties and are used for meditation to relax the mind and awaken the senses. Some essential oils are used as stimulants of the senses or aphrodisiacs, to enhance intimacy.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF ESSENTIAL OILS

​Essential oils have many benefits and associated properties. Below is a list of the most commonly known essential oils and its properties and benefits:​

• Peppermint: For many centuries, peppermint has been used for its natural therapeutic properties.  Its high menthol content gives peppermint essential oil great pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.  Not only does the mint act as a regulator of the digestive system, but it can also be used to eliminate bacteria thanks to its antiseptic effect. For digestive system conditions, such as colic, aerophagia, gastric spasms and indigestion, you can add 2 to 5 drops to 8 oz. of water and drink once per day or drink a cup of peppermint tea before your meal. You can also use toothpaste and mouth washes made with peppermint oil to prevent gum disease.  Likewise, when used in skincare, it can be used to treat skin problems such as acne and skin irritations.
• Roman Chamomile Essential oil: This world-renowned essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and is rich in sesquiterpenes, that supports our immune system response against allergic reactions.  It works as a tonic for the digestive tract and calms the bodies response to hives.  Roman chamomile is popular for its antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.  It is used to calm, soothe, and relax irritated, sensitive skin.  Roman chamomile is high antioxidant content fights against skin oxidative stress and regenerates and restores dull skin.  It also contains calming, antispasmodic, and analgesic properties that provides relaxing aromatherapy via inhalation and massage.
• Lavender Essential Oil:  This powerful essential oil is comprised of different components that lend to different types of therapeutic properties.  Spike lavender is found in Mediterranean regions of the world and contains 40% linalool, which contributes to detoxifying and healing certain skin conditions.  It’s great for soothing burns and relieving fungal infections, such as Candida Albicans.  Fine Lavender contains 35% linalool and 45% linalyl acetate, which contains powerful calming and soothing properties popularly utilized for meditation, relaxation, and relieving anxiety.  It also contributes to relieving symptoms of burns, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.
• Orange Essential Oil: The essence of this flower is a stimulant for the mind. It is often used to aid in meditation, relaxation, and skincare products.  Its anti-inflammatory effects promote blood flow and reduce tissue swelling, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. Sweet orange oil is commonly diffused to encourage relaxation and alleviate uneasiness and anxiety in children and adults.  It is useful to help people who suffer from insomnia or sleep deprivation.  It is best to refrain from direct sun exposure after applying skincare products that contain orange essential oil because the ultraviolet rays from sunlight can cause skin sensitivity.    
• Lemongrass Essential Oil: This invigorating essential oil is a small shrub cultivated in East and South Asia.  Its leaves and flowers give off an astonishing and pleasant smell of lemon and citronella.  Its small berries are distilled to extract its essence and produce essential oil.  Lemongrass contains many health properties.  It has powerful anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties that naturally repel mosquitoes and ticks and decreases inflammation during certain allergic reactions. Lemongrass contains citric acid, a natural skin lightening agent and antioxidant that decreases signs of hyperpigmentation when applied to the skin.  When added with other citric essential oils, like orange or bergamot, it naturally decreases signs of acne for all skin types, including oil-prone skin acne.
• Lemon Essential Oil:  This fresh and zesty fragrance is high in antioxidants which help to prevent skin damage caused by UV rays from the sun.  Lemon essential oil is renowned for its numerous properties.  Its antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and a great cleansing agent.  Lemon oil is added to many household cleansers, health and body products.
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Eucalyptus clarifies, cleanses, and eliminates pollutants from the skin in addition to its refreshing aromatherapy. It contains active substances that help the skin rejuvenate while also minimizing infection risks. Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics that help soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation, itching, and redness.  It's particularly good for acne-prone skin.  When applied topically, eucalyptus gives the skin a cooling sensation, making it excellent for a soothing massage.  It's particularly good for acne-prone skin.
• Rosemary Essential Oil: Rosemary is known for its energizing effects and camphorous fragrance. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities are all present. Rosemary oil reduces hair loss and dandruff by strengthening hair follicles and soothing a sensitive scalp. When used topically, rosemary oil helps to calm and relieve oily skin acne while also regulating sebum production. It also reverses skin damage caused by rosacea and redness, as well as tones, regenerates, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
• Geranium Essential Oil: Because of its astringent, regenerative, and anti-aging effects, this soothing, aromatic essential oil is often utilized in skincare products. It improves the appearance of dull skin, stretch marks, redness, and other indications of aging. Acne, skin ulcers, and eczema are all relieved by geranium's antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. 
• Jasmine Essential Oil: Since ancient times, the jasmine blossom has been utilized as a secret ingredient in skincare. It has a sweet and fragrant scent and is used in both hair and skincare. Jasmine is good for all skin types and can help with scars, stretch marks, and bruises by fighting bacteria, infections, and viruses. It also moisturizes irritable, dry skin and increases blood circulation in the skin, which helps the body eliminate impurities.  When applied to haircare products, jasmine softens and conditions the hair and relaxes the scalp.
• Tea Tree Essential Oil: This potent essential oil from Australia has a wide range of medicinal qualities. Its broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic qualities make it a valuable addition to first-aid kits. Tea tree oil cleanses, tones, and purifies the skin.  It is popularly used in personal and dental hygiene products as well as purifying soaps and anti-dandruff hair care.  It is also great for repelling mosquitoes and soothing insect bites.
• Cedarwood Essential Oil: This sweet, woody scented essential oil is best known for its soothing and alleviating conditions of the skin and hair.  Its natural components have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects, which help to alleviate eczema and acne-related irritation and dryness. Adding a few drops of cedarwood essential oil to shampoo and conditioner promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicles and blood circulation. When dispersed in your home, it also serves as a natural pesticide and mosquito repellant.  
• Sandalwood Essential Oil: Sandalwood is an essential oil that comes from India and is used to treat infections, soothe irritated skin, and increase skin elasticity. It's a gentle astringent that calms the skin and can be found in a variety of aftershaves. Sandalwood has antiviral and antibacterial characteristics that help to relieve inflammation caused by minor skin irritations including pimples, warts, and boils. It's also high in antioxidants, which help to prevent premature aging by reducing free radical damage.