Essential oils are the distilled aromatic essence of a plant or flower. These days, essential oils have become a popular skincare trend. Essential oil is often incorporated into various beauty routines. It has created some confusion about what they do and which types to use.
There are many misconceptions about essential oils out there; many people think that they are simply a recent fad that is used in trendy products, whereas others tend to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of available different types.
The truth about essential oils is that they can be beneficial for your skin, but it is also necessary to approach them thoughtfully and carefully. If you are still not convinced, read on! We will explain everything you need to know about essential oils in this article and their best uses for your skin.
What exactly is an essential oil?
Essential oil is a concentrated liquid derived from plant matter. It is made by crushing and steaming plants (or using more high-tech processes) to extract the very potent aromatic compounds. These particles create the oil’s aroma, and each one is thought to contain different properties.
Many essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy, where they are inhaled or used topically for their health-boosting benefits. For example, lavender is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effects to help soothe skin conditions like acne or eczema. In contrast, tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial properties.
However, essential oils are making their way into the mainstream. They have become a massive player in skincare as people look for more natural and organic solutions to nourish their skin.
Skincare routines are becoming simpler, and we are moving away from harsh chemicals and towards gentle ingredients that offer similar results, like essential oils.
Importance of Essential oils for Hair
Hair loss or baldness is a common problem faced by majority of men due to age related factors or heredity but there are many natural ways through which this problem can be tackled. Essential oils constitute an important component in these preparations. Since they not only give fragrance to the final product but also have medicinal properties, that help stimulate hair growth while reducing itching sensation in case of scalp infections.Even though essential oils are mainly used for fragrance purposes, they do contribute immensely towards promoting healthy hair growth.
The best part about essential oils? They can be used in various ways and span across skincare categories, so you can use essential oils as part of your daily routine or mix them with other products to benefit from both.
How Essential Can Oils Benefit Your Skin? Why you should add them to your Skin care routine.
The benefits of using essential oils for skincare are pretty impressive.
- They can help improve many common skin concerns like acne, psoriasis, and aging. For example, you can use tea tree oil to help soothe acne-prone skin, whereas sandalwood oil promotes cell turnover and reduces wrinkles.
- They also provide some antioxidant protection by helping to fight free radicals that are associated with premature aging. Meanwhile, frankincense oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve redness and calm dry skin.
- Not only do they help protect skin from harmful UV rays, you can also use them in a variety of different ways in your skincare routine to give it a boost. For example, adding a drop or two to your moisturizer is a great way to ensure your skin gets the most out of each product!
- If you have acne-prone skin, you can also add them into your toner or spot treatment to give it an extra boost of soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
- Some essential oils will smell fantastic, while others may smell more unpleasant. It’s essential to choose ones that smell good to you. If a scent is too strong for you, simply dilute it in a carrier oil to make it more mild and pleasant.
- It is also essential to choose the ones that you find most effective for your skin type. For example, if you have combination skin with an oily T-zone, you may want to look for formulas explicitly designed for acne-prone oily skin. However, if you have dry patches on your cheeks and forehead, you may want to choose an oil more suited for standard skin types.
- When choosing your essential oils, it is vital to keep in mind the scent. Some of them are very strong and can irritate or upset your stomach if taken orally. Others may even cause photosensitivity if applied to the sun-exposed parts of your body. One way to avoid the downside of specific essential oils is to use a blend. You can add them to your carrier oil or apply them directly in dilution with other ingredients, like aloe vera gel.
Wrapping Up!
Since there are hundreds of different essential oils out there, it can be overwhelming to choose one and wonder which ones you should use for your skin type. After all, everyone’s skin is unique, so we need to pay attention to our own needs.
Remember, essential oils are very concentrated and shouldn’t be exposed to the sun. Make sure you’re using oil that doesn’t contain phototoxic ingredients. Even if it is not exposed to direct sunlight, applying them to your skin before going into the sun can lead to prematurely aged skin. So it’s best to avoid exposing your skin.
About the author;
This article was written by guest author Umer Ishfaq.