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| Home > Personal Care with Aromatherapy > Face care with Aromatheraphy Oils
| | | Face care with Aromatheraphy Oils
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Face is the most expressive of all organs. It is the organ that attracts maximum attention and casts utmost impression. A beautiful face belongs to a beautiful being. That is the reason why people spend thousands of rupees in beauty care products such as moisturizer, skin exfoliators; skin polishing packs, rejuvenating creams etc.
We subject ourselves to all types of products to gain the skin of our desire, and lighten our purse in the process. How about making few product of our own that are cost effective, fast and easy!
Aromatheraphy oils can reach far beyond in terms of their effectiveness to beautify your face, with the perfect properties to match your type of skin. These fragrant "custom made" cosmetics can be truly yours.
Aromatheraphy oils and beauty
Aroma oils work from outside and inside. They deeply penetrate the skin for an overall improvement, and they relax our senses, which are directly connected to our well being (It glows and it shows).
Aromatheraphy oils can induce the properties of moisturizing, anti aging, exfoliating, toning, rejuvenating and deep cleansing.
While using the products one must be cautious to avoid eyes, mouth and nose.
A combination of essential oils can be used simultaneously to uplift the mood and beautify the face. For instance, if you have dry skin you could treat it with rose and lavender oils on a day when you are tense, so you soothe mental worries and your complexion in one go.
The soothing, healing, rejuvenating essential oils will have a much more noticeable effect on facial skin than any other oils. To help guide you, here is a list of the most useful oils for the face.
Recommended Aromatic Oils for Face
Geranium
Rose
Jasmine
Violet
Lavender
Ylang-ylang
Neroli
Recommended Therapeutic Oils
Chamomile (rashes, itchiness).
Juniper (acne, oiliness).
Lemongrass (open pores).
Mandarin (scars, slack skin).
Marigold (over-dry, sensitive).
Mimosa (dull complexions).
Orange (wrinkles, sallowness).
Aromatheraphy oils as Cleansers
As these oils have the property to penetrate deeply, they can be used for effective cleansing as well. Yet different oils should be applied for different type of skins:
Neroli (for dry/mature skin)
Rose (for normal/combination skin)
Lavender (for oily/blemished skin)
THE WATER CLEANSER
Just add two drops of aroma oil to a container of lukewarm water. Disperse the oil in water using your finger. After thoroughly washing the face with soap and water, just splash the aromatic water on your face. Leave it there to dry it for itself. And enjoy the fragrant and clean feeling that follows.
CLEANSING LOTION
Replace the oil-based cleanser with three drops of essential oil added to 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) of sweet almond oil. Store the mix in a dark glass bottle and shake well before pouring some into the palm of your hand and using your fingertips to massage it into skin. Gently wipe it off with a damp cotton-wool pad and if any stubborn patches of make-up remain, remove them by dipping a cotton-wool ball directly into the oil mix and gently wiping across skin.
THE CLEANSING CREAM
Buy the simplest, fragrance-free cleansing-cream you can find and add four drops of essential oil for every 50ml (1.7fl oz/10 tsps) of product in the jar. Mix the essential oil into the cleanser using a sterile spatula or teaspoon handle, replace the lid and leave it for three days. Stir the mixture once a day before you begin to use it. Apply it and remove as you normally would for an aromatic treat to an otherwise plain cleansing process.
Warning: if you notice that the formulation changes in texture during this three-day period, becoming thicker, thinner or lumpy, throw it away. Occasionally the emulsion of a particular brand of cream becomes unstable if you add extra ingredients and it may eventually lead to bacterial contamination.
THE EXFOLIATORS
Mix three drops of essential oil with 30ml (1fl oz/6 tsps) sweet almond oil and slowly add equal amounts of finely ground oatmeal and coarse desiccated coconut until you have a thick paste. Massage with the paste in small circular movements all over damp skin, particularly around the forehead, nose, chin and neck, then leave for a few minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. Pat skin dry and moisturize immediately. Use this gentle essential-oil exfoliation twice a week for truly polished skin, free of dull, dead, flaky surface.
ESSENTIAL MOISTURISERS
You can mix small amounts of ingredients to prepare moisturizers so the ingredients are always fresh without any wastage; you can mix several different combinations for different parts of your `face and apply them just-where needed; and since essential oils are so fine and have a natural affinity with skin, they penetrate better than many ingredients found in more traditional face creams.
When to Use Them
Morning and night application is suggested like any other moisturizer application. But its essential to choose a lighter moisturizer for day, and a heavy one for the night (according to your skin type of course), as rich moisturizer will make the face look greasy and shiny at day. One can also use any essential oil moisturizer for aromatic purpose at day and the night one purely for treatment. Rich carrier based moisturizer should be chosen for night treatment.
Massage is the best way to make sure the oils soak in, as the warmth of skin on skin and the rubbing action both speed up absorption. Spend three minutes minimum gently smoothing the moisturizer all over your face, using fingertips in an upward direction and in circles from the inner to outer corners of the eyes.
Remember to mix only enough to last for a few days so there is no risk of contamination. Always store your moisturizers in airtight, dark glass bottles and shake them well before application. The ideal recipe should be:
FOR FACILA MOISTURISERS
· 5 drops essential oil in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) carrier oil Plus 1 tsp wheat germ oil or the contents of a vitamin E capsule.
How to Blend Them
All facial moisturisers should contain essential oils, carrier oil to dilute, and either wheat germ oil or vitamin E as a natural preservative, and as they are also both excellent anti-oxidants they add an extra treatment benefit to your skincare. Anti oxidants are known to stop the harmful and aging effects of pollutants, sunrays and smoke.
The other bonus is that carrier oils, used to dilute the essential oils, are excellent moisturisers in themselves. The oil stops the water found naturally in the body from evaporating into the air.
The best carrier oils for the face are fine, light emollients. Some of the heavier oils are too rich and sit on facial skin for hours making the complexion shiny.
These are the few guiding points to make your own moisturisers.
Best Carrier Oils for the Face
· Sweet almond (for normal/combination skin)
· Wheat germ (for mature skin)
· Peach kernel (for sensitive skin)
· Apricot kernel (for dry skin)
· Jojoba (for greasy/irritated skin)
· Sunflower or avocado (for oily/blemished skin)
· Evening primrose (for wrinkles)
RICH FACIAL MOISTURISERS
For mature skin
· 3 drops Neroli and 2 drops galbanum in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) wheat germ oil.
· 2 drops each rose and frankincense in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) evening primrose oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
For dry skin
· 2 drops violet and 3 drops rose in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) apricot kernel oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
· 2 drops each Neroli, mimosa and rose in 30ml (lfl 02/6 tsps) wheat germ oil.
For thread veins
· 3 drops rose and 2 drops chamomile in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) peach oil plus I tsp wheat germ oil.
· 3 drops orange and I drop each lemon and lime in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) peach oil plus I tsp wheatgerm oil.
To treat rashes, itchiness
· 2 drops chamomile and 3 drops lavender in 30ml (1 fl oz/ 6 tsps) peach oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
· 1 drop each marigold and yarrow and 3 drops of sandalwood in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) jojoba oil plus 1 tsp wheatgerm oil.
To firm skin
· 3 drops frankincense and 2 drops mandarin in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) wheatgerm oil.
· 2 drops each rose and lavender and I drop Neroli in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) wheatgerm oil.
To improve texture
· 3 drops violet and 2 drops lemongrass in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) evening primrose oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
· 2 drops each sandalwood and geranium and 1 drop of rose in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) wheatgerm oil.
For night time
· 2 drops each frankincense and myrrh in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) wheatgerm oil.
LIGHT MOISTURISERS
For oily skin
· 2 drops each juniper and Cedarwood in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) sunflower oil plus I vitamin E capsule
· 2 drops each geranium and lavender and I drop cypress in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) of sunflower oil plus 1vitamin E capsule.
For combination skin.
· 2 drops each lemongrass and rosemary in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sweet almond oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
· 1 drop petitgrain and 2 drops each rose and lavender in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sweet almond oil plus I vitamin E capsule.
For sensitive skin
· 2 drops marigold and 3 drops rosemary in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) peach oil plus I tsp wheatgerm oil.
· 2 drops each chamomile and jasmine and I drop sandalwood in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) jojoba oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
To treat sallowness
· 3 drops orange and 2 drops rosemary in 30ml (2 fl oz/6 tsps) jojoba oil plus I tsp wheatgerm oil.
· 2 drops each lavender and ylang-ylang and 1 drop geranium in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sunflower oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
To Treat Acne
· 3 drops bergamot and 2 drops chamomile in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sunflower oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
· 2 drops each lavender and mint and I drop lemon in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) sunflower oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
To clear blackheads
· 2 drops each tea-tree and eucalyptus in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) avocado oil plus I vitamin E capsule.
· 2 drops each lavender and geranium and 1 drop lemon in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sunflower oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
For day time
· 2 drops violet and 3 drops rose in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sweet almond oil plus 1 vitamin E capsule.
ESSENTIAL FACE MASKS
 Mixing your own essential-oil face pack has a lot of benefits. They are easy to make, and more effective as essential oils are more in touch with the skin. A small preparation with the combinations to use our specific requirements is the added advantages. Not to mention the glow the skin gets after this beautifying aromatic experience.
The best oils to fix to the skin surface for a deep facial treatment are:
· Frankincense {for mature/dry skin)
· Jasmine (for normal/combination skin)
· Geranium (for oily/blemished skin)
Using face masks:
Facemasks should be used as occasional cleansing or nourishing treatments to improve your complexion. If you overuse them, they make skin drier or oilier by overstimulating it.
· A deep-cleansing facemask should be used no more than once a week and a moisturizing pack at most twice a week.
· It is best to use them at night and, since you have to lay back and rest while the mask does its work, include relaxing or energizing aromatic oil in the recipe to work on your mind at the same time.
· As soon as you have mixed up an essential-oil facemask, apply it to well-cleansed skin by smoothing it evenly on in upward strokes.
· Avoid the eye area, nostrils and lips, as skin here is very sensitive, but apply it to the neck right down to the collarbone. Then relax for 10-15 minutes until the mask has dried.
· For a deep-cleansing facial, use your fingertips to rub the dried mask off your skin so you exfoliate it at the same time, and then wash any residue off.
· For a moisturizing facial, rinse the mask off with warm water until skin is clean.
How to Blend Them
Only mix enough masks for one application: it won`t keep for more than an hour or two. Any leftovers can be spread on elbows, knees or upper back. To mix an
Essential oil mask, place all ingredients in a small bowl and stir well with a teaspoon. You will need a powdery ingredient to give the right paste-like consistency.
For a Moisturizing Mask
· Oatmeal.
· Ground almonds.
· Rice flour.
(An addition of warm honey will add to the effect)
For a Cleansing Mask
· Fuller`s earth
· Kaolin
· Bran
(More finely grained the ingredients are, better the effect. A bit warmed up mask can also do wonders)
Aromatheraphy oil ingredient:
Moisturizing
6 drops essential oil in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) carrier oil mixed with enough powdery ingredients to make a sticky, thick paste.
Cleansing
6 drops essential oil in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) hot water mixed with enough powdery ingredients to make a smooth, thick paste.
MASKS FOR TROUBLE SPOTS
You can also easily make masks using a facial moisturizer mixing with that of powdery ingredient.
Remember also that you can apply several different masks in patches: a moisturizing one over dry cheeks, an oil-control mix for nose and chin and a firming mix for the jaw and neck, for instance. After removing the mask, you may like to apply a little massage oil to the skin, or a blend of 15 drops rose oil in 30 ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) jojoba. Here are some recipes for the most common types of mask so you can perfect mixing them before you go on to experiment alone.
BASIC FACE MASKS
Moisturizing mask
· 2 drops each frankincense, rose, Neroli in 30ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) apricot oil with 1 tsps warmed, melted Honey, mixed with enough finely ground almond to Make a soft paste.
Apply on face till it dries up.
Deep cleansing mask
· 2 drops geranium, 3 drops lavender and I drop lemon in 30ml (1 fl 02/6 tsps) hot water, mixed with enough kaolin to make a smooth paste.
Relaxing mask
· 2 drops each violet, lavender and Neroli in 30 ml (1 fl oz/6 tsps) sweet almond oil, with enough oatmeal to make a smooth paste.
Energizing mask
2 drops each ylang-ylang, petitgrain and lemon in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) iced water, with enough ground almond to make a smooth paste.
Anti-aging mask
2 drops each Neroli, mandarin and orange in 30ml (lfl oz/6 tsps) evening primrose oil with I tsps of warmed, melted clear honey, mixed with enough ground almond to make a smooth paste.
ESSENTIAL STEAM FACIALS
The one remarkably effective way to use essential oils in your beauty routine is to simply add them to a steam facial. The steam opens pores and warms skin, so essential oils are absorbed more rapidly. It also makes the oils themselves more volatile, so they evaporate faster and are even more aromatic than usual. The steam facial is also deeply relaxing, quick and non-messy.
However, since it is so effective, some essential oils are too potent to be directly inhaled in such a small space and absorbed with steam in this way, especially as they enter the nasal passages and can irritate eyes. Steam facials are not recommended for anyone with a history of asthma or respiratory complaints. Do not use the oils listed on the following page, as they have an irritating effect when inhaled.
When to Use a Steam Facial!
Steam facials should be used to deep-cleanse or deep-moisturise skin once a week at most, in place of a face mask. They are particularly effective when skin is dull, dehydrated, spotty or greasy, as they act as an instant Beautifier.
However, don`t use them just before you plan to go out as the heat and steam can leave a high colour on the cheeks and make skin look shiny for a couple of hours afterwards. Since they are so relaxing it is best to use them before going to bed. Also, any moisturizer you apply afterwards will get to work on warmed, softened skin and immediately become an extra beneficial night cream.
Oils Not Recommended for Steam Facials:
· Basil.
· Laurel.
· Bay
· Pine.
· Birch.
· Clary sage.
· Camphor.
· Tarragon.
· Citronella.
· Tea-tree.
· Fennel.
· Thyme.
· Ginger.
· Valerian.
· Juniper.
How to Use Them
Wearing an off-the-shoulder top, cleanse the skin thoroughly. Then boil some water. Pour the required amount into a large, heat-retaining bowl and place it on a table. Make sure it is the right height so you can sit comfortably and bend forwards over the bowl. Have a large towel ready to drape over your head and trap the steam. Then add your chosen essential oils drop by drop onto the surface of the water.
Stay under the towel with your eyes closed until the steam cools then add more boiling water to the bowl to evaporate off any remaining essential oils. Afterwards, gently pat your face dry and immediately apply a moisturizer to trap the extra steamy water in your skin.
For steam facials
Add 5 drops essential oil to 1 litre (2 pints) boiling Water.
Steam Facial Trouble Spots
It is best to use a maximum of two different essential oils in a steam facial because they become so aromatic with the heat that any more are invariably overpowering. However, the right combination will treat almost any problem of both the skin and psyche. Here is a selection of recipes for you to try before you start creating your own concoctions:
DEEP CLEANSING FACIAL
For dry skin
2 drops lavender and 3 drops of violet.
For normal/combination skin
2 drops mimosa and 3 drops geranium.
For oily blemished skin
3 drops juniper and 2 drops bergamot.
For mature skin
3 drops frankincense and 2 drops galbanum.
DEEP MOISTURISING FACIAL
For dry skin
2 drops chamomile and 3 drops of jasmine.
For normal/combination skin.
2 drops rose and 3 drops sandalwood.
For oily or blemished skin.
2 drops Chamomile and 3 drops Geranium.
For mature skin.
2 drops of Neroli and 3 drops rose.
RELAXING FACIAL
2 drops of ylang-ylang and 3 drops jasmine.
INVIGORATING FACIAL
2 drops of peppermint and 3 drops lavender.
Handling Trouble Spots
With the basic guidelines provided you can change, mix n match to treat your trouble spots. For example, for an oily skin throughout, the essential oil for oily skin can be mixed in moisturizers, exfoliators, cleanser etc.
For a particular dry patch of skin, you can create the heavy moisturizer with essential oils for dry skin. Each trouble patch of the skin can be treated accordingly. Thus you can customize your own product. Otherwise there are no such thin as cleanser for dry skin, cleanser for oily skin
etc in the market.
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