The Health and Beauty Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils are among the precious gems that have been passed down for centuries now. Their aromatic, therapeutic and healing properties are timeless. 

The cost of contemporary remedies keeps going over the roof, and health insurance is another pain altogether. Now, everyone’s reverting to the good old essential oils for beauty needs, natural healing, and therapy. These oils sit in cabinets waiting to help with cleaning, skin care, and to salvage the situation when mini disasters like stings, bites, fungal and bacterial infections strike. 

You haven’t lived until you know how a drop of oil transforms an ordinary shower to a spa moment in the cozy comfort of your home. Save your spa bucks!

How To Tell if an Essential Oil is Fake or Real

According to Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s published review, there are about 90 essential oils with dermatological benefits alone and we can combine them in over 1,500 ways to yield different results.  

Unfortunately, with the booming market for essential oil, unscrupulous business people landed an opportunity to scam unsuspecting buyers. There are organic essential oils, and then the knock-off—synthetic essential oils. Except for aroma, maybe, the synthetic ones are a waste. They lack the health, therapeutic, or beauty benefits found in pure organic essential oils. 

Be picky with essential oils. Don’t be in a rush to pick and go, and resist the urge to pick the cheapest on the shelf. Essence oil has to be 100% pure and organic. 

Hint: look for ‘indigenous’ ‘original’ or ‘therapeutic grade’ tags and confirm that the oil is USDA certified. 

It’s a brilliant idea to start with the tried and tested essential oils which have been specially formulated by beauty brands committed to plant-based skincare but if you are a DIY lone wolf, test each essential oil on the inside fold of your elbow. If they work, knock yourself out creating your signature blend. Combine them with carrier oils like jojoba oil, argan oil, olive oil, and coconut, or a neutral cream of your choice. 

Essential Oils with Health Benefits

This is good news to you, but it’s bad for pharmaceutical and health insurance companies: essential oils, like ‘an apple a day’ do keep the doctor away. These oils juggle many functions including balancing hormones, boosting immunity, fighting bacterial and viral infections, aiding and improving digestion, detoxing, energizing body cells, improving brain function, body relaxation, easing pain, improving sleep quality, and supporting oral hygiene. 

To arm yourself against germs, bacteria, fungi, allergens, and pathogens, or have something in hand to remedy digestive issues, stings, etc., consider these essential oils: 

• Tea tree – Sometimes, the air is full of invisible allergens and pathogens. You only know when you start sneezing, itching, or dashing to the bathroom every three minutes with a knotted stomach. Tea tree, known for its antibacterial properties, is handy for disinfecting surfaces and the air. It’s also a natural remedy for fungal and bacterial infections.
• Lavender – Moms know this little secret too well—if little boo won’t sleep for all the candy in the world, add a drop or two of lavender oil in his bath. Lavender relaxes the body and promotes good sleep. This oil also heals cut and burn wounds, clears rashes, and serves as an antidote for bites and stings.
• Frankincense – This is your go-to essential oil when you need to support your emotional wellbeing, women’s health, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, heal bruises or make scars less conspicuous.
• Peppermint – If you struggle with muscle or joint pains, or have digestive issues or irritable bowel syndrome, keep peppermint essential oil within reach. Other common uses include relieving fever and headaches, clearing sinuses, treating respiratory illnesses, decongesting the lungs, and preventing asthma attacks.

Essential Oils with Beauty Benefits

In the beauty quarters, essential oils are famous for treating skin conditions, boosting hair health, thickness and growth. You just need to know which essential oil does what.

From protecting the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, to calming irritated skin, and clearing acne, essential oils prove effective and versatile remedies. They fight pathogens and guard the skin from elements.  

Essential oils are highly concentrated. Applying them directly, in their pure form can damage the skin. Combine them with other creams or oils, or water to avoid skin irritation. A few drops in the massage oil, hair oil, your neutral cream, or bath water is all you need. 

To move your skin care routine a notch higher or get your long lost glow back, incorporate these essential oils in your regimen, based on your skin type and needs:

• Oily Skin – Are you wondering how oil can work for an already oily skin? Some essential oils like Lemongrass, Helichrysum, and Lotus-infused oils work magic on this skin type. Lotus decongests skin and softens it while Helichrysum works as a cleanser. Helichrysum has antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties—which is why it treats acne, heals the skin, and stimulates the growth of new cells. It’s also good for reducing scar conspicuousness. Lemongrass balances the production of sebum, reducing oiliness.
• Dry Skin – If your skin falls under this category, give Hazelnut Oil products a top priority when shopping and in your daily skincare routine. The Vitamin E and Omega 9 in Hazelnut oil visibly improves the appearance of dry skin by softening and making it so smooth that even the fine lines disappear. It is one of the best skin hydrants out there. It also protects cells from free radicals.
• Mature/ Aging Skin – If you ever have the option of picking only one essential oil for aging skin, Rose Otto would be the best pick. It’s the magic potion for ageing backwards. It carries lots of antioxidants which promote the growth of new healthy cells, and it’s a rich moisturizer with antibacterial properties.
• Inflamed/ Sensitive Skin – Irritated skin after shaving? Tea tree and Lavender to the rescue! These are the best skin-soothing essential oils. It’s a plus they don’t just soothe—they are packed with anti-inflammatory properties which reduce skin inflammation and relieve pain, too.
• Lips – Essential oils are great for healing, moisturizing, and giving your lips a healthy glossy finish. Try lavender, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, grapefruit, peppermint, cardamom, and chamomile essential oils.

There you have it; skincare routine secrets, quick home remedies, and a shield against diseases—all in small bottles labeled ‘Essential oils’. Beauty brands have them packed, ready to use and with instructions on how to apply or use. If you go the DIY way, determine you have original essential oil, and for safety, find information about mixing or preparation and application methods.