Using Essential Oils for Beauty

It is becoming increasingly popular to use essential oils to create beauty products at home. It is a fun and healthy way to care for your skin. Included here are instructions for a variety of facial, body and hair care applications.
Check below for oils specific to your skin and hair type.

Facial Steam
Giving your self a steam facial is a fantastic way to reap the benefits of essential oils. Steam facials stimulate the circulation, unclog pores and soften the skin. They are easy and very relaxing. Use the same method as for inhalations. Combine 1 or 2 drops of two or three oils. There are many to choose from so try not to stick with the same oils all the time. Experiment, have fun and decide what works best for you.

Facial Cleanser
You can make a natural facial cleanser with clay (either fuller’s earth, kaolin, green, red or bentonite), vegatable carrier oil. Add 1 drop of essential oil or synergy blend to one teaspoon of clay or carrier oil. Moisten the clay with distilled water, or Hydrosol. If your skin is on the oily side, you can add a quarter teaspoon of witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to the mixture. Always apply either the clay or oil mixture in a circular motion. Wipe off with a damp cloth.

Facial Scrub
A facial scrub can be easily made with a variety of flours or from finely ground grains or seeds. Some suitable choices would be: cornmeal, hemp flour, oat flour or finely ground almonds or oats. You can use a combination of ingredients as well. Add 3 drops of essential oil or synergy blend to one tablespoon of dry mixture. Moisten with distilled water or Hydrosol. Facial scrubs can be applied after cleansing or as an alternative to cleansing. Apply scub in a circular motion and rinse.

Facial Mask
An easy way to draw out impurities in the skin is by combining a tablespoon of clay (green, pink or kaolin) with 3 drops of essential oil or synergy blend. Moisten this mixture with a little distilled water or Hydrosol and apply to a clean, dry face in a circular motion. Allow mask to dry completely before washing it off.

Facial Toner
You can make a facial toner by adding 20-24 drops of essential oil or synergy blend to 120 ml of distilled water or Hydrosol. As this mixture will not have any stabilizers in it, you may want to store it in the fridge.

Facial Moisturizer
Face creams are often expensive and contain a variety of preservatives and synthetic ingredients. A simple way to moisturize is by applying a carrier oil blended with your choice of essential oils to wet skin after cleansing and applying your toner. Add 6-8 drops of your choice of essential oil or syngery blend to 30 ml of carrier oil or combination of carrier oils.. Store in a dark glass bottle. You only need to use a few drops with each application.
If you are interested in making a chemical free face or body cream,
there are many books on the market that give step by step instructions
on how to do this.

Body Polish
Combine one cup of Epsom Salts with one cup of Sea Salt. Moisten salt with 15-30 ml of carrier oil of your choice. Add 6-8 drops of essential oil or synergy blend and stir thoroughly. Apply Body Polish to wet skin. It is easiest to do this in the shower, as the steam from the hot water will open your pores, enabling the oils to penetrate more fully. Massage in a clockwise circular motion starting at your neck and work downwards.

Massage Oil
Using a combination of carrier oils  is the optimum way to make a massage oil that easily penetrates the skin. As carrier oils do go rancid, it is best to make up only a small amount at any given time. Add 15-20 drops of essential oil
or synergy blend to 30 ml of carrier oil. This is enough oil for a full body massage.

Body Powder
In a glass container, combine 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 5 ml of baking soda and a small amount of fuller’s earth with 5 drops of essential oil or synergy blend. Shake well.

Using Essential Oils for Hair & Scalp
You can treat various hair and scalp conditions with essential oils. For hair conditioning treatments mix 15-20 drops into 30 ml of honey, clay or carrier oil. For scalp treatments mix 15-20 drops into 30 ml of carrier oil. With either treatment, mix well and massage into the hair and or scalp. Leave the mixture on for 20-30 minutes. It is also an option to leave the solution on overnight. Below are essential oils for hair and scalp care.