How to Include Aromatherapy in Your Skincare Routine
Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant essential oils (EO) obtained from herbs, flowers, and tree extracts for therapeutic purposes through topical application or inhalation. It is also known as essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy also helps improve emotional and physical health.
Introducing Aromatherapy to your skincare routine is very beneficial because it relaxes, soothes the muscles, and leaves you in an excellent mood.
Aromatherapy can be done through inhalation (sense of smell) and skin absorption, i.e., bodily application (massage).
Popular essential oils used in Aromatherapy
These essential oils include:
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Tea tree
- Orange
- Bergamot
- Sandalwood
- Frankincense
Each of these Essential oils has an array of distinctive healing properties. Lavender calms the mind, Eucalyptus invigorates, and sandalwood sensualizes.
Like any potent natural ingredient, essential oils must be handled with care. They are incredibly powerful and concentrated plant extracts that can do more harm than good when they are not used properly. However, essential oils can be used to achieve clear and healthy skin when administered safely.
Check out these essential tips for including Aromatherapy essential oils in your skincare routine.
How to choose the best essential oil for your skin type
There are tons of different essential oils to choose from, so it's important to do your research properly and find the ones that will suit your specific skin type and personal needs.
For oily/ Acne-prone skin
If you have oily skin, you can use either one or all of the following essential oils:
1. Geranium Essential Oil, which is gotten from the geranium sweet-scented flower, improves and regulates oil production.
2. Tea tree Essential Oil is arguably the best for acne-prone skin because it regulates oil and has antibacterial properties which combat acne- causing bacteria.
3. Rosemary Essential Oil does wonders for oily skin. It creates a healthy balance between antibacterial and antiseptic properties that combat excessive oil, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads.
For Dry skin
1. Chamomile essential oil soothes and moisturizes dry, itchy skin and makes your skin healthy.
2. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is a mild antiseptic that keeps your skin free of bacteria and moisturizes.
3. Rose Essential Oil reduces skin irritation, moisturizes, and promotes good skin health. It also has a beautiful smell.
For combination skin
1. Lavender oil is widely known and loved for its calming fragrance. It reduces acne, calms stressed-out skin, and fights wrinkles. Lavender also helps in lips care. Lavender lip balm leaves the lips soft, hydrated, moisturized, and fragrant.
2. Sandalwood Oil is extracted from the heartwood of trees and is perfect for combination skin. It minimizes large pores, tames oily spots, and renews your skin.
3. Bergamot Oil improves and evens out your skin tone, reduces persistent oily spots, and brightens dull, dry spots.
Carrot seed EO and frankincense EO are both ideal for all skin types. They reduce inflammation and the appearance of large irritating pores, regenerate skin cells, tighten the skin and minimize wrinkles.
Best Skincare Ingredients for Acne-Prone Skin
Always dilute
When applying an essential oil to your skin, always dilute it with a carrier oil. EOs are highly concentrated and could burn your skin or cause rashes when applied directly. Carrier oils are non-pore-clogging oils, such as jojoba, argan, olive, and almond oil.
After choosing which essential oil is perfect for your skin, the next step is to dilute it with a carrier oil. To attain a 0.5 to 1% dilution, use 3 to 6 driblets of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
How to apply it right
This should be done at the end of your skincare routine after applying your serums and moisturizers. A few drops of the already diluted essential oil should be poured into your palms. Gentle pat and massage into your skin.
A few drops of the diluted EO can also be added to your bathwater, conditioner, and body wash. EO can also be diluted with water and used as a mist spray. MOOD skincare products combine clinic-grade ingredients with Aromatherapy to help you achieve healthy skin.
Before applying an essential oil to any part of your face or body, ensure you conduct a patch test on the inside of your wrist.
Aromatherapy can also be done by inhaling EO directly from the bottle or by using a diffuser or humidifier.