Re
claim your skin’s Natural Glow
Are you ready to explore the world of essential oils to find natural solutions for your skin? Incorporating essential oils into your skin care routine is a great start for introducing more natural products into your everyday use, boosting your skins radiance with the added bonus of starting a low-tox skin care regime.
In this post, I’ll share how you can use essential oils for glowing skin, revealing which oils are best for your unique needs, how to use them safely, and even some simple DIY recipes to get you started. Get ready to unlock your natural radiance!
Why Essential Oils?
We all know about the healing power of plants, eating a diet of nutrient rich fresh, fruit and vegetables is the quickest and easiest way to improve our health from the inside out. And using certified, pure and tested essential oils for other areas of our lives is the next step along that path to utilising natural botanicals for our wellbeing.
Essential oils have been around for centuries, being used as ancient remedies passed down from generation to generation. These days we have scientific proof to help us understand how and why essential oils are such a powerful addition to our wellbeing and how we can benefit from using them daily.
Essential oils are aromatic compounds from plants, each oil with a different journey, extracted from different areas of the plant and with its own properties, the benefits of which are passed on to us as we use them intentionally to support our own wellbeing.
But Remember Safety First!
Essential oils are potent. The first rule is to dilute with a top-quality carrier oil to the appropriate dilution ratio suitable both for the person who is using the oil and what you are using the oil for. You also need to be aware of any contraindications there may be, say perhaps during pregnancy or if you are taking a particular type of medication that restricts what you can eat or use.
Always do a patch test on a small area of your skin, and it goes without saying, do not use an oil if you already know you are sensitive to it.
And lastly, always choose high quality, pure, tested essential oils, otherwise you may not be reducing your toxic load at all!
The Best Essential Oils for Radiant Skin
(According to me anyway 😊)
I’m going to give you a list of oils based on my preference – and of course their superpower properties – and why they may be the oils for you…
Frankincense –
Sometimes called the King of Oils, frankincense is absolutely sumptuous (I think anyway). I will be honest here, I didn’t always enjoy the aroma of frankincense but now I can’t get enough of it. I don’t know what changed or when, but it is absolutely my go-to oil for making skin serum and using as a massage facial oil. Even if I added nothing else, I’d be happy with a rich oil of Frankincense diluted with either Rosehip oil or Apricot Kernel carrier oils.
Frankincense is steam distilled from the resin and has great anti-inflammatory properties and is often used to support wound and scar regeneration.
Geranium -
I adore the aroma of geranium. It might be quite floral for some but I personally love it. It is in the women’s monthly blend I use every day, and as soon as I smell it, I feel good. As you’ll guess, it does support with balancing hormones but is also great as a moisturising oil, which is why it’s on this list!
This oil is steam distilled from the whole plant and its general properties are great for detoxifying and regenerating.
Lavender –
No one can dispute the relaxing aroma of lavender. It has been used for generations to encourage relaxation and lower feelings of stress. But it is also known for supporting the body to heal bruises, cuts and wounds. I once bumped my hand on a metal railing while I was out walking and a bruise appeared almost immediately. Fortunately, I had some lavender with me and by the time I got home the bruise had gone. Awesome 😊
The lavender flowers are steam distilled and because it’s such a calming and soothing oil it’s a great one to for this list.
Sandalwood –
Another calming oil this is perfect to add to our list for glowing skin. I use it in a blend for skin regeneration and wound care and helps beautifully. It’s also known as an oil that can support dry skin or even a dry scalp if added to shampoo, perfect for a skincare oil and is also found in the dōTERRA anti-aging blend.
The wood of the Sandalwood tree is steam distilled to get this lovely oil.
Roman Chamomile –
We all know chamomile tea to be calming for our senses, and the Roman Chamomile essential oil also has these calming properties. It’s known to support dry, irritated and aging skin and is also quite restful so it would work great in an oil you use at night, especially if you included some lavender too.
The flowers are steam distilled for this oil.
Helichrysum –
I cannot speak too highly of this oil. It is one of my all-time favourites and I use it all the time. I recently broke my wrist quite badly and needed an operation to hold it all in place. As soon as I was able, I used this oil to ease the feelings of bruising and to promote regeneration of the area in general. It is amazing, if I’m looking for an oil to help with a wound or skin issue, I look first at Helichrysum and go from there.
This oil is steam distilled from the flowers and has general properties which sooth and regenerate.
Copaiba –
No list for skincare oils would be complete without copaiba! It is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and works well with lots of different oils. It’s especially suitable for aging skin and supporting the skin with wound healing. It’s the oil I partnered with Helichrysum when I was supporting healing in my wrist as it magnifies other oils it is used with.
Copaiba is distilled from the resin of the tree.
Carrier Oils
As essential oils are so potent you will need to use a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil. You might think that diluting an essential oil would dilute its effectiveness, but in fact the opposite is true.
Essential oils are volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and as such they evaporate extremely quickly, and if you were to use an essential oil neat, much of it would evaporate before it had absorbed into the body.
So, by diluting the oil, not only do you use it safely and not overload or over sensitise your skin, but you are giving the oil time to be absorbed.
It’s called a carrier oil, but sometimes known as a base oil, because it ‘carries’ the essential oils and allows for even distribution where its applied.
The Importance of Using a Quality Carrier Oil
In the same way you want to use pure tested essential oils, you also want to use a top-quality carrier oil too, and one that has been designed to be used as a carrier oil.
That means that using your sunflower cooking oil is not going to do the job. For starters, cooking oils are highly processed and go through an industrial process to remove traces of pesticides and such like that are used in the growing and production of the oils. They can also be stripped of colour and odour, again part of the production process.
Instead, what you are looking for is a carrier oil that has been cold pressed, is pure, natural (no synthetic additives, and organic.
The reason this is so important is because of how essential oils work. Essential oils are made up of various very small compounds, which are also lipophilic. This basically means they combine better with oils than with water.
The reason this is relevant here is that skin is mostly lipophilic as well, which makes the essential oils, and whatever they are mixed with, more easily absorbed into our skin and then directly into our bloodstream.
So hopefully you now understand the quality of the carrier oil is equally as important as using pure essential oils. So…
What Carrier Oil Should I Use with my Essential Oils?
Carrier oils can have their own properties and depending on what you are using your oils for then you can choose a carrier oil suitable for that purpose. There are many to choose from and I recommend doing your own research based on your skin type.
For most DIY essential oil recipes I would recommend using a dōTERRA fractionated coconut oil (FCO) as it is easily absorbed by the skin and less likely to leave an oily residue. Plus, you know that the carrier oil you are using is as good as the oils you are diluting.
But… in this situation, as we are looking at using essential oils to give our skin an extra glowy look, it makes sense to use a carrier oil that, even on its own, has super-powers!
I’ve used all the following oils in various recipes and at various times in the past because of their beneficial qualities.
As described by Valerie Ann Worwood in her book ‘The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy’, I’ve listed some of those qualities beside each oil, all of which are stated as being suitable for 100% use on the face:
- Apricot Kernel Oil – emollient: softening, moisturising, soothing, nourishing, anti-aging
- Almond Oil – emollient: softening, moisturising, nourishing, restructuring, conditioning, soothing
- Jojoba Oil – protective, moisturising, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, nourishing, balancing
- Sunflower Oil – softening, moisturising, regenerative, conditioning, protective
- Rosehip Seed Oil – antioxidant, cell and tissue regenerating, stimulating, moisturising, conditioning, rebalancing, restructuring, toning, anti-inflammatory, regenerative
Please Note: If you have sensitivities or allergies, then please use caution when choosing your carrier oil, as you would with an essential oil, and do a skin test or follow the protocols you would usually use when deciding on product suitability.
DIY Recipes for Your Essential Oil Skincare Routine
The number of drops of essential oils used in the recipes below are based on a 1% dilution and is the recommended dilution rate for facial products.
Simple face serum -
In a 30ml (Approx 1oz glass bottle) add in 6 drops of frankincense and top up with carrier oil. Shake well before each application.
Serum to Promote Skin Toning –
In a 30ml (1oz) glass bottle add 2 drops each of Sandalwood, Geranium and Frankincense and fill up with Rosehip Seed carrier oil. Shake well before each application.
Serum to apply to broken capillaries –
In a 30ml (1oz) glass bottle add 3 drops of Geranium and 3 drops of Helichrysum and fill up with Calendula carrier oil. Shake well before each application.
Serum for Aging Skin –
In a 30ml (1oz) glass bottle add 2 drops of Copaiba, 2 drops of Frankincense and 2 drops of Roman Chamomile and fill up with apricot kernel oil. Shake well before each application.
Remember to label and date the bottles with your serum in!
General Tips for Glowing Skin
It’s not all about what you put on your skin. Good health shines through and it always starts with what you put into your body. Your skin serum should be the icing on the cake. So, for a beautifully radiant glow follow these tips:
Hydration comes from the inside. You can use topical serums galore but if you are dehydrated then so will your skin be. I don’t think drinking lots of water will cure dry skin, but it will help support the rest of the functions your body performs every day.
Sleep is crucial for glowing skin. It is when you body is repairing itself so glowing skin really benefits from a good nights sleep. If you aren’t sleeping then you need to consider why not. Can you change your bedtime routine to give you a better chance of sleeping? Switch off your phone, establish some good health care routines to prepare your body for sleep.
Reduce Stress. Stress is a big factor in our lives and is inevitable, stuff does happen to all of us. We read that not all stress is bad, which I agree with generally, but if you feel anxious, fearful or overwhelmed on a consistent basis that will have a negative effect on your mental and physical health and consequently, the quality of your life.
How we deal with stress and the healthy strategies we put in place to help us to cope with it, if we find something that works for us, will have a long-term positive impact.
Eat well. You’ve heard the saying, ‘you can’t out-train a bad diet’ well I’ll amend that to say, ‘you can’t outshine a poor diet’! It doesn’t matter how you look at it, if your diet is poor, then your skin isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to shine. More fruit and veg, less sugar and processed foods will make a big difference.
Be consistent. It’s the actions we take every-day that will determine what our lives, and maybe futures, look like. But don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two, learn to forgive yourself, get back up and begin again. As the saying goes, it doesn’t matter if you fall (or fail for that matter), if you get back up, learn from your mistakes and start again.
Embrace your Natural Radiance
So, there are my steps towards boosting your natural inner glow. By incorporating some of these beautiful oils into your routine and embracing a holistic approach to your wellbeing your skin can shine.
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Sending you love and big blessings on your wellness journey.
Rebecca
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. As with any DIY essential oil recipe, you alone are responsible for product and recipe testing to ensure safety.
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