Category Archives: Skin Care

Age cannot wither you: 6 anti-aging essential oils you can use

Stressful times and 24/7 routines make people age early and this brings a drastic shift in the psychology of individuals. In order to reduce wrinkles and reduce aging signs, many seek commercial anti-aging cosmetics and products. Though such products are a big hit in today’s world, they come with a load of other disasters – commercial products contain harsh chemicals such as mineral oils and skincare products which take their toll on skin health in the long run. What’s more, these skin products (like anti-aging or anti-wrinkle creams) clog skin pores, making it difficult to breathe freely and eliminate toxins through skin. This results in a lot of skin conditions like acne breakouts, allergies and inflamed or irritated skin due to accumulated toxins.


Essential oils for anti-aging: Aromatherapy offers remarkable anti-aging solutions. Many essential oils treat wrinkles in a natural and safe way, without skin disorders. The following oils are ideal for removing wrinkles and offering you a rejuvenated skin:

1. Olive oil: When it comes to skin nourishment, Olive oil has topped the preferred list of oils right from the ancient times. It can be remembered that Greeks and Romans used Olive oil to anoint their heads on a daily basis. Olive oil helps in removing wrinkles and treating skin problems. It is also a great skincare product which moisturizes and rejuvenates skin naturally. Its essential nutrients soften skin and help it glow.

2. Jojoba oil:
Though popular as a carrier oil, Jojoba oil is one of the best natural moisturizing oils. A powerful pore cleanser, it is used in many anti-aging skin products. It can be used along with Castor oil to give an extra cleansing effect and with Lavender oil to have a soothing effect on the skin. Jojoba also balances the production of sebum on the skin, thereby, reducing excessive oil production in oily skin. In brief, it acts based on your skin type to keep your skin replenished and healthy.

3. Grape seed oil: An antioxidant, Grape seed oil moisturizes the skin on a deep level, getting rid of wrinkles on the surface. It works by revitalizing the skin and preventing it from aging. It makes the skin  supple and young too.

4. Walnut oil: Walnut oil is great for regeneration of skin. It moisturizes damaged skin and helps prevent wrinkles at an early age. Applying Walnut oil with carrier oil will be of use for eliminating wrinkles.

5. Marula oil: This is a remarkable oil with antioxidant properties. It penetrates deep into the skin and works wonderfully on damaged or lifeless skin cells. Rich in nutrients, it coats the skin with a peerless glow and softness.

6. Other oils:
Lavender and Rose are two other oils which work well in treating skin problems. Other than these, fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is     also effective in preventing wrinkles. Fish oil works by stimulating the growth of a vital collagen protein in the body, which, in turn, makes the skin wrinkle-free and youthful.

Skin can be damaged or wrinkled on account of several disorders too. If you want a blemish-free skin, you need to use essential oil blends that can cure skin disorders like psoriasis, acne and other skin conditions. Some essential oils are great moisturizers. Adding such oils to your bath water can make a huge step toward personal care.

7 all-time-useful aromatherapy blends for self and family

Aromatherapy is not an one-time remedy for ailments. It is an ongoing therapy wherein we use essential oils to alleviate symptoms or treat disorders and thereby, reduce our pain or suffering or health related problems. Aromatherapy blends are used in  skin care, personal care, as cure for major diseases, as aromatic air fresheners, bath salts and for massaging purposes. It is a diverse field comprising of oils made from plant substances like extracts, herbs, barks, resins, roots and other plant parts.  It takes a lot of time to analyze and use such a multifarious science and hence, a novice may need guidance on which oils are important and which cure the common ailments. This article will throw light on the most commonly used essential oil blends for emotional, physical and family well being.

All-time-useful essential oil blends: All these blends are formulated by Dr. Carolyn Selby. These are essential oils blends which help with common conditions like emotional downs, physical stress or body pain, disruptions in family relationships or infected home environment etc.


1. Stress Buster blend: This blend is ideal for improving your emotional well being and is best used as a massage oil. Add 2 drops of Clary Sage to 2 drops of Frankincense and 1 drop of Sandalwood. Blend with 1 tbsp of Almond or Grapeseed oil and mix the ingredients well. Apply the prepared blend on the back, neck and shoulders for a relaxing and soothing effect.

2. Relaxing Bath blend: If you are down with the blues, nothing can cheer you up as a well-prepared aromatic bath. For a stress-buster bath, mix 4 drops of Bergamot with 4 drops of Geranium and 2 drops of Vetiver and disperse the oils well in a warm bath water. For unscented bubble bath, blend the oils with 1 tbsp of Grapeseed. Soak for about 15-20 minutes in the bath water and inhale the vapors that emanate. You will feel extraordinarily refreshed and stress-free after the bath. Do not let the water get into your eyes as it may sometimes cause irritation.

3. Concentration Tonic: The power of focus is a gift not found in many. To improve your power of concentration and clear your head of worries and fears before exams or interviews, put 1 or 2 drops of Basil or Rosemary in a tissue and sniff before the event/exam/interview.  You will feel confident and focused on the job at hand.

4. Nasal Congestion clearance: For clearing nasal congestion (a common condition with many), use 4 drops of Niaouli with 2 drops of Rosemary and 2 drops of Tea Tree oil and disperse into warm bath water. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes and inhale the vapors. Your nostrils will be cleared and you will feel relieved after this.

5. Headache Relief Massage Blend: Headache is one of the most common ailments with everyone in the family. Aromatherapy can help treat headaches with essential oils. Add 2 drops of Lavender with 2 drops of Marjoram and 1 drop of Peppermint. Blend the mixture with 1 tbsp of Almond or Grapeseed oil and massage on to the upper back, neck and shoulders. Apply to temples and other painful areas. You can alternatively put these on a tissue and also inhale.

6. For Insomnia Relief: Many people are afflicted with the insomnia bug. To cure sleeplessness, add 4 drops of Roman Chamomile to 4 drops of Clary Sage and 2 drops of Neroli and disperse in warm bath water. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes, inhaling the vapors. You will feel sleepy after this treatment.

7. Anti-aging Cure: Aging is a chief skin care issue these  days. This aromatherapy blend can help in reducing wrinkles and act as a base cream for nourishing skin. To prepare the cream, add 4 drops of Frankincense with 4 drops of Petitgrain and 3 drops of Rose Otto. Mix the oils with 5 ml of Evening Primrose oil, 5 ml of Wheatgram oil and 25 ml of plain base cream. When the blend is done, store in an airtight glass jar and apply to the face and neck daily in the morning and night.

Bite that bug back: 6 aromatherapy tips for insect bites and stings

Insect bites, bee stings, gnat and chigger bites can cause inflammation, pain, swelling and itching on the skin. Though going to the doctor is a possible option, it is a bit expensive for an ordinary insect bite. This is where essential oils come handy. Many aromatherapy oils can be used in treating insect and mosquito bites in the body. Some oils also protect the body by keeping the bugs off, completely. Whatever be your option – bug treatment or bug-off recipe – aromatherapy can help a lot in keeping bugs at bay.

Essential oils for insect bites: Insect bites are not that debilitating like other skin disorders or infections. But they can be irritating and painful if left untreated. There are several essential oil remedies for bug bites and below are a few of them:
1. Essential oils for bug bites: Some of the commonly-used essential oils for bug bites and bee stings are Lavender, Tea Tree, Chamomile, Peppermint and Eucalyptus. A few oils which can keep bugs completely out of your environment are – Birch, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Pine and Sandalwood. While Peppermint stops itching and repels ants, Lavender and others heal the inflammation and wound caused by the bite.

2. Oils to dab on to your skin: Some conditions like mosquito bites, insect bites and others which do not need much attention can be treated with direct application of essential oils. You can dab oils like Lavender, Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile or Eucalyptus directly on to the affected skin area and get instant relief from itching. Chamomile and other oils can reduce the swelling and inflammation, reducing the itching and allergies caused by bug bites.

3. Bug-off repellents: This blend keeps bugs at bay. To prepare the blend, add 12 drops of Citronella with 12 drops of Eucalyptus, 6 drops of Cedarwood, 6 drops of Geranium and 1 oz of rubbing alcohol or vodka. Mix all the ingredients together and dab on to the skin directly. If you have added too much of alcohol, avoid rubbing excess of the blend on to your skin. Excess massaging can cause skin damage and hence apply on a cloth above the skin area. This would also avoid too much absorption of the blend through your skin.

4. Poultice for bug bites and stings: If you are stung by strong insects like bees, you need to first pull the stinger out and then treat with essential oils. To prepare bite and sting poultice, you need to add 12 drops of Lavender with 5 drops of Chamomile, 1 tbsp of Bentonite clay, 1 teaspoon of tincture and 2 teaspoons of distilled water. Put the clay in a container and mix with all the other ingredients. Add essential oils and then, stir to distribute them evenly. When the mixture is of the consistency of a thick paste, apply on to the affected area. You can store this paste for several days in a tight lid container. If the paste is dehydrated, add a little diluted water to bring it back to the paste-like consistency and use.

5. For gnat and chigger bites: Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 3 drops of Thyme oil and make a blend. Apply the blend to bitten area and get relief. You can also work with Peppermint oil mixed with a carrier oil.

6. Insect repellent: To prepare an insect repellent, add 25 drops of Cajeput oil with 19 drops of Lemon, 19 drops of Geranium, 13 drops of Cedarwood and 2 oz of Sweet Almond oil. Mix the ingredients in a plastic pet bottle and apply to exposed skin area whenever needed.

When love hurts: How to treat herpes and shingles with essential oils

Can love hurt? Yes, it can if you have genital herpes. About 500,000 people suffer from genital herpes and half of this crowd do not know they have the disease. Herpes is a painful viral infection which appears mostly on the genitals and near the mouth in the form of blisters, lesions and shingles. Caused by the herpes simplex type 2 virus, genital herpes can make life hell for the person who has it. He or she cannot have sex with a partner nor can find an easy cure to the condition. The ordinary herpes that occurs in parts other than the genital area is also painful. It can be a source of huge social embarrassment for patients, making them look ugly and awkward in public eyes.

Herpes cure: Once you get the herpes virus, there is no way to eliminate it from your body. You can only control the lesions and shingles it causes, or boost up your immunity levels to prevent an outbreak. Since the herpes virus is highly contagious, having sex with a herpes patient (during an outbreak) can mean a definite attack of the virus to the other partner. It also makes the intercourse painful and difficult for both the partners. Herpes blisters in the mouth area are no less severe. They cause a burning sensation, making it difficult to converse or eat.


Though drugs like acyclovir help, there is no complete cure to the herpes virus. Immediate relief is also a distant possibility as the virus attacks only in times of a weakened immune system. However, research has revealed that aromatherapy can offer instant cure from herpes attacks. Essential oils do not just fight the herpes simplex virus, but also boost up your immune system and lets you relax and ward off physical and emotional stress.

Aromatherapy for Herpes treatment: There are several essential oils with relaxing properties. But only a few help treat the actual herpes symptoms like lesions, blisters and shingles. Some of them are mentioned below:

1. Cayenne oil: Topical creams made from capsaicin, a compound found in Cayenne oil deadens the pain of herpes and shingles. Cayenne oil, when added with a cream base, can work well and provide immediate relief. But it can also burn the skin too much if used excessively. So, be careful in usage of the oil.

2. Tea Tree oil: Also known as niaouli, Tea Tree oil offers one of the best remedies for herpes. Recipes made using Niaouli cures instantly, alleviating the pain and embarrassment associated with herpes. Applying a single drop of Tea Tree oil directly on to the genital herpes lesions once a day can make the blisters vanish quickly. The oil’s healing properties help heal any external sore faster and herpes is no exception.

3. Myrrh and other oils: Though a bit expensive, Myrrh oil is also an effective cure. Other oils like Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Peppermint etc too help in treating herpes. To prepare a good remedy, dilute the essential oil of your choice in an equal amount of vegetable oil and apply directly on to the lesions. If applied immediately after an outbreak, you may prevent further outbreaks.

Aromatherapy for cuts, scrapes and burns: 8 practical treatment ways

If you have young children at home or are yourself engaged in risky jobs, you can experience a lot of bruises, cuts, scrapes and wounds in your day to day life. Though there are medical remedies to all these, it is better if you take natural remedies instead of the side-effects prone, oral or topical medications. While simple cuts and scrapes can be treated with antiseptic essential oils, minor burns or sunburns can be cured with essential oils like Lavender and Tea Tree oil. This article will explain in detail on the practical treatment options available in aromatherapy for minor cuts, wounds and burns.

Remedies/Tips for cuts and wounds: You can cure your cuts with many antiseptic oils. These oils do not just alleviate your pain, but also heal the wound instantly. You can even use herbal salves containing antiseptic oils to treat your wounds. Below are a few tips and recipes on how to treat cuts and wounds:

1. Resins and Balsams: Resins/Balsams like Benzoin, Frankincense, Myrrh can form a protective covering over the wound, acting as an antiseptic band-aid. This can help in defeating the germs and healing the wound at a faster pace.

2. Lavender oil: Lavender oil and Tea Tree oil are among the less irritating oils available. When applied on wounds, they are soothing and do not produce a burning sensation. You can apply any of these oils directly on a scrape to see quick results.


3. Oils for cuts/scrapes: A few essential oils you can use for cuts and scrapes are Benzoin, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Rose and Tea Tree oil. Better to spray these oils on to the wound than apply them with hand.

4. Germ Spray: Mix 12 drops of Tea Tree oil with 6 drops of Eucalyptus oil, 6 drops of Lemon oil, 2 oz of distilled water or herbal tincture. Dispense this formula from a spray bottle and spray as needed to minor cuts, scrapes and wounds. This will keep your wound germ free and speed the healing process.

Burns and Bruises: If you meet with a major burn or fire-bruise, treat the burn in water of about 50 degrees F. You can also use a cold compress that can be soaked in the same water if the person feels overheated or sunburned. Below are a few tips to treat burns:

5. Spray always: As you know, burnt skin is very tender to touch and hence should not be touched or dabbed with hands. When you do so, you may spoil or damage the skin further or may cause more pain. To avoid trouble, always spray remedies on to the affected area.

6. Aloe Vera and Lavender: Lavender and Aloe Vera juice are favorites with aromatherapists. This is because, they induce cell regeneration, reduce burning sensation and decrease pain. Aloe Vera can even be used on radiation burns. You can use Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint and Tea Tree oil for treating burns.

7. Vinegar: Adding vinegar to your recipe produces a cooling effect. Since it can be painful on open wounds, use only on wounds where the skin is not broken or where the pain is less severe.

8. Burn wash recipe: To prepare an emergency burn wash or compress, add 5 drops of Lavender oil to 1 pint water at about 50 degrees F. Then, stir well to disperse the oil. When the blend is ready, immerse the burn area in water for several minutes. Then, apply the blend on to the afflicted area and let it stay for several minutes.

No my-foot-remedies: Anti-fungal oils treatment for athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is an annoyance to anyone who has it or suffered through it. Though a common foot fungus, it is quite contagious and can be transmitted via locker room floors, swimming pools, gym change rooms and other warm and wet areas. It is estimated that about 70% of the population is infected by this condition at some point in their lives. Though anyone is vulnerable to the condition, athletes, especially swimmers and sprinters, are the most infected group. This article will elaborate on how anti-fungal essential oils have the potential to heal athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot – An overview: Athlete’s foot is otherwise called Tinea Pedis. Caused by a fungus, the skin condition occurs to people constantly exposed to damp and warm environments. The fungus thrives only in dark, wet and warm places like in the saunas, gym, worn out gym clothes etc. Athlete’s foot can infect a person without any major signs. Meaning, an individual will not be aware of the infection until the symptoms appear. Symptoms of athlete’s foot are: itching and burning of the skin; skin ruptures; redness or white color skin; crackled, peeled and blistered skin. The fungus occurs in the feet, mostly in between the toes or on the soles of the feet.

Essential oil cure for athlete’s foot: The first basic step toward treating athlete’s foot is to maintain proper hygiene. The next step is to kill the fungus through topical creams or oral antibiotics.  You can also use natural therapies to cure the skin condition and aromatherapy is just one of them. Essential oils or plant extracts have the potential to completely eliminate the fungus and heal the infection. This is because essential oils are absorbed easily and quickly into the body. They also respond and react well, thanks to their anti-fungal and skin-healing properties. Research has now revealed that essential oils can be used to treat all kinds of skin infections from acne to psoriasis and athlete’s foot.

Anti-fungal oil blends for athlete’s foot: Most of the essential oils are effective skin-healers, but only a handful have strong anti-fungal properties. You need to choose oils of therapeutic grade quality and mix them on a 50:50 ratio with base oils or vegetable oils. Better to use extra virgin Olive oil or Jojoba oil. Once mixed, you can apply the blend directly on to your foot fungus and see the healing happen. Some of the best anti-fungal oils you can use are: Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Niaouli, Oregano, Lavender, Peppermint, Clove and Mountain Savory. Some possible base oils other than Olive and Jojoba are Sesame seed, Wheat gram, Grapeseed and Avocado oils.

Foot powder with essential oils: If you are not comfortable with an oily blend, you can mix essential oils to make a foot powder and apply on to your fungal infection. To make a foot powder, mix 25 drops of Tea Tree oil, 8 drops of Olive oil and 8 drops of Peppermint oil with ¼ cup of cornstarch in a plastic bag. Once the oils blend completely with the starch, take the powder out of the plastic bag and apply on the infected area.

Stop acne outbreaks: 3 remedies to treat pimples with essential oils

Acne is not hazardous but embarrassing. You may not develop any sort of physical illness from acne, but you will definitely look awkward with it. Acne breakouts can make life hell for teenagers, adults and all those who are victims to it. Though there are many cures to acne, not all of them are perfect. Fortunately, there are quite a lot of essential oils to help you deal with acne.

What causes acne? Before we proceed to look into the remedies, we need to understand what causes acne outbreaks. The problem is basically to do with clogged skin pores. When your skin pores and follicles are blocked by dust or other facts, oil secretion fails and this leads to formation of blemishes, skin eruptions and pimples on the skin. Many people with oily skin are more liable to frequent acne outbreaks as they have excess oil on their skin surface. Teenagers and menstruating women are victims to acne on account of hormonal changes.


Essential oils for acne treatment: Essential oils treat acne by working on the problems underlying acne eruptions. Essential oils treat stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalance and other physiological disruptions that cause acne. When the oils soothe the body and keep it at a relaxed state, pimples disappear or are alleviated. De-stressing is also an important function of these essential oils remedies. Commercial acne treatments understand the role of essential oils in hormonal balance, elimination of wastes etc. This is why most of the commercial therapies have eucalyptus oil as the primary ingredient in them. Such an ingredient not just reduces oil secretion but also kills the bacteria that induce acne formation.

To prepare your own homemade acne remedy, you need to have a little knowledge in the use of essential oils. Compress a salt and essential oil and use it as a remedy. If you have intense oil problems, use the blemish treatment given below:

1. For oily skin: Oily skin should be handled with care as the skin tends to be provoked easily. Meaning, any unusual or harmful ingredients can spoil your skin and aggravate your skin eruptions. To avoid this, use skin-drying and antiseptic essential oils like Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemongrass, Sandalwood and Tea Tree oil. Use any of these oils and dilute in a base of witch-hazel and aloe vera gel. Since witch hazel contains alcohol, it has a drying effect on your body. On the other hand, aloe vera is a great gel for healing and hence can cleanse your pores and heal the eruptions in your skin.

2. Facial Toner: You can use your essential oils and prepare your own skincare concoctions. To make a facial toner for your oily skin, combine all the following ingredients in a glass bottle: 12 drops of Lemongrass oil, 6 drops of Juniper Berry oil, 2 drops of Ylang Ylang oil, 1 oz of witch hazel lotion and 1 oz of aloe vera gel. Mix the ingredients and blend with vinegar (if you think witch hazel is too drying). You can use the mixture as a paste at least once a day to retain the overall natural acid balance.

3. Intensive Blemish: You may need an intensive blemish treatment if your skin is too oily. You can prepare such a thing at your home with the following ingredients – 12 drops of Tea Tree oil, ½ tbsp of Oregon grape root and Vitamin E. Make a paste with the herb powder and essential oils. Add water for easy paste formation and apply on the blemished or affected area. After 20 minutes of drying, rinse of the paste with clear water. Dry with towel completely to remove any remaining paste. If you cannot find Vitamin E anywhere, cut open a tablet and squeeze out the oil. Vitamin E rejuvenates your skin and heals any kind of scar or sores.

Exfoliate with essential oils: How to make a natural facial scrub at home

Skin is one of the least-cared for, but most exposed parts of the body. Whether you are a youngster or a middle-aged aging adult, you need to exfoliate your skin regularly to look young and fresh. But exfoliation is not that easy. Now, with the advent of modern technology, too many exfoliating products clog the market place and the customer often does not know which one to choose and which one to leave out. It is always better to choose a natural option to synthetic or company-manufactured options. This article will focus on how to exfoliate skin using a natural facial scrub.

Why exfoliate?
Before we proceed to make a recipe, we need to first understand why we need to exfoliate. Exfoliation is removing off dead skin on the surface to bring out the young, healthy skin to the top. You exfoliate if you find your skin dull, dry or flaky or old. Yes, exfoliation is a great anti-aging cure too. All you need to do to avoid aging of skin is to exfoliate regularly and keep the shine of your skin in top form. But there are certain issues to be faced while exfoliating. People with problem skin need to careful while engaging in skin exfoliation. This is because, instead of removing dead skin, exfoliation may irritate existing skin and end up aggravating your existing skin condition.

However, for the aged, skin exfoliation helps by increasing blood circulation and thereby, proper functioning of the skin and body. Generally, exfoliation can be done every 14 days. In cases of problem skin, you need to avoid frequent exfoliation.

Exfoliation and essential oils: What do essential oils got to do with skin exfoliation? Well, they do have a major role to play. The chief ingredient in a facial scrub is often an essential oil. Even commercial scrubs have essential oils in their ingredients list. This is because of the natural skin-healing properties of some essential oils. Owing to their herbal properties, essential oils are soft and tender on skin when used in the appropriate proportion. They not just invigorate the skin, but leave it glowing and healthy. This is why essential oils find a lot of usage in body massaging, hair anointing and bathing.

How to make natural, facial scrub: In a market looming large with commercial products, natural facial scrubs stand out of the crowd. Though not all advertised herbal products are 100% herbal, a homemade facial scrub is completely herbal and natural. Below is a recipe on how to make a natural, facial scrub:

Ingredients: Raw oats, honey, basil oil, tea tree oil, apple, cider, vinegar etc.

Process:
Crush 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls of raw oats in a grinder. Add pure honey and ¼  teaspoon of apple, cider, vinegar to the crushed dry oats. Mix all the ingredients to form a smooth mixture. Add honey if needed and add basil oil (1 drop) to the mixture. If you have a problem skin, you can replace the basil oil with tea tree oil to promote aggressive healing.

How to use: When the paste-like facial scrub is ready, wash and towel-dry your face and apply the scrub on it. Use circular motions for application and let it rest for about 15 minutes. After the particular timeframe, wash with lots of tepid water and towel dry the face again. You will notice your face to be fresh and young than before.

Skin care, the natural way: 6 skin care recipes using essential oils

Skin care, done the natural way, is always the best you can do to yourself. If you feel that you can get every other skin nourishment from the synthetic and cosmetic stuff sold in the market, you maybe wrong. You need what is called pure and natural replenishment to your skin, on a daily basis. Essential oils are a great way to rejuvenate damaged skin or maintain a glowing, healthy skin in a natural way. They are pure plant substances that contain no synthetics. They provoke no side effects and cause no harm to the skin if used as instructed. This article will offer you different skin care recipes that can be prepared using essential oils.

Essential oils skin care recipes: Most of the essential oil recipes have to be mixed with carrier oils to be used on skin. When you use a blend of oils, you need to look into the composition of the blend, the proportion of oils used (which is the dominant oil/aroma etc) to get a pleasing and appealing skin care product. Below are a few essential oil skin care recipes which can be used as bath oils, foaming cleansers, liquid soaps etc.

1. Foaming Cleanser: This essential oils blend of foaming cleanser is energizing and rejuvenating. It can be used for every kind of skin, from normal to oily skin and can be used in showers or while bathing. To prepare the cleanser, combine 4 tbsps of castile soap with 3 tbsps of Avocado oil, 4 drops of Bergamot, 4 drops of Lemon, 4 drops of Petitgrain etc. Blend the oils in a small sized bottle and use whenever required.

2. Facial Scrub: This refreshing, luxurious blend is ideal for use once or twice a week. To make the blend, mix 4 tbsps of Almond meal with 1 tsp of freshly grated Orange zest and some natural yogurt. Blend till the mixture attains a thick paste like consistency. Then, melt honey and add Almond mixture to it. To the mixture, add ½ tsp cinnamon powder, 2 drops of Cinnamon oil and 3 drops Orange. Combine everything together and bring to a massage-paste like consistency. When you are done, massage on to your face and neck, avoiding the eyes or nostrils area. The scrub should be rinsed off before applying toner or moisturizer.

3. Cleansing cream: If you need to remove a make-up quickly and completely, this cleansing cream made with essential oils is your best bet. To make the cream, combine 1 tbsp of beeswax, ½ cup of Sweet Almond oil, 1 tbsp of distilled water, 3 drops of Frankincense, 2 drops of Lavender and 3 drops of Neroli together. Ideal for both oily, dry and mature skins, this cream is perfect for removing any extraordinary or strong make up too.

4. Facial oil:
Mix 2 tbsps of avocado oil with 1 tbsp of Jojoba oil, 1 tbsp of rosehip oil, 3 drops of Jasmine, 2 drops of Sandalwood and 3 drops of Ylang Ylang. Use a dark bottle to blend all the ingredients, especially the essential oils. When the mixture is ready, cover tightly and store it in a cool dark place to for future use.

5. Moisturizer:
To create a moisturizer, especially of the rosebud kind, combine 1 tbsp of beeswax, ¼ cup of Jojoba oil, ¼ cup of Apricot Kernel oil, 1 tsp of Rosehip oil, 1 tbsp of Rosewater and 8 drops of Rose.

6. Freshening Toner:
This toner can be applied to all skin types and combines a mixture of water, oils and hydrosols. To prepare the blend, mix ½ cup of distilled water with ½ cup rosewater, 3 drops of Chamomile, 2 drops of Geranium and 3 drops of Lavender. This is a natural skin care recipe that can be used anytime on any skin, without any issues.

Renew your skin: 3 essential oil bodyscrub recipes you would love

The plight of our skin is pathetic. It is the thing that requires utmost attention, but it is also the same thing that is taken less care of. Skin diseases occur only because we take inadequate care of our skin. Our skin is damaged by weather, especially the sun, wind and pollution and this in turn, damages our body by thickening the outer layer of the skin. With a thick outer layer, all that a skin has, is roughened dead cells. One of the ways to manage a dead skin condition is to exfoliate skin cells on a regular basis. This will give a healthy glow to your skin and will also prevent it from abnormal conditions.

How to renew your skin: Essential oils can help greatly in the renewal of new skin. They help your skin exfoliate and clear of dead stuff in a better, safer way. You can use them to prepare bodyscrub that help clean and detoxify skin cells. However, usage of bodyscrub comes with its own kind of limitations. These include a list of dos and don’ts too: Do not ever rub vigorously on the body. Avoid scraping hard on sensitive skin and spend time on bumpy or rough areas. Do all the scrubbing standing under a shower or upright in a bath tub. If you happen to get dehydrated often, drink plenty of water before the exfoliation process. And finish off dehydration with natural body moisturiser.


Essential oil bodyscrubs: Essential oils are energizing and mind-awakening recipes. Below are a few bodyscrubs which are some of the best ways to exfoliate skin.

1. Herbal salt bodyscrub recipe: This is a great bodyscrub to rejuvenate your spirits and relax you in the right way. There are two varieties in this scrub recipe – one for the morning, another for the evening. Add 3 to 4 drops of Peppermint oil to 5 tbsps of sea salt and mix this together in ½ a teaspoon of carrier oil like Almond or Grapeseed. If the mixture is thick or does not have enough moisture, add water to it and blend well. You can use this scrub as a deep-cleanser and toner. For a soothing evening recipe, replace Peppermint oil with Lavender. It would not be sensitive or invigorating on the skin.

2. Ivy bodyscrub:
This is a scrub that works as a skin tonic and an astringent. It can stimulate circulation and enhance body health by getting rid of toxins, excess fluid build-ups etc. To make the scrub, combine 20 fresh Ivy leaves with 2 tbsps of course-ground oatmeal and 2 tbsps of natural yoghurt. When you get an even consistency, add Lemon essential oil and mix into a nice smooth paste. Massage the paste on to your skin, focusing on problem areas like hips, buttocks, legs and upper arms. Rinse off with water and clean completely after bath.

3. Lemongrass bodyscrub:
Lemongrass is all about liveliness and this recipe is just that. Sugar can be used to scrub the skin that to create problems inside the body. This recipe is holistic in that, it uses Lemongrass, sugar, Almond oil, Fennel oil etc. To make the bodyscrub, combine 4 tbsps of sugar with 2 tsps of Sweet Almond oil, 10 drops of Lemongrass oil, 5 drops of Geranium oil and 5 drops of Fennel oil. Blend well and massage all over your skin. Then, rinse with water and clean dry.