Aromatherapy means healing through the sense of smell where we use essential oils derived from a plant's leaves, flowers, roots, stalks, bark, rind, or roots which contain the life force of the plant to benefit our body and mind.
One part of loving yourself includes taking care of your face, hair, and body. It is fun to look after and pamper yourself. Our skin is constantly exposed to the hazards of the environment: heat, dust, pollution, cold, humid and other weather conditions. Hence the skin needs to be fed and nourished both from within and outside.
Just attending to skin conditions locally will not help. One also needs to address the problems internally too. That is where aromatherapy has proven to be very effective in looking after the skin.
The penetrative properties of essential oils make them excellent moisturisers and cleansers for skin care. Essential oils also stimulate the blood circulation and help in cell regeneration. Hence, these oils are good for skin care of all skin types. But remember not to use them neatly on the face.
A regular skin care regimen is very essential for all types of skin to cleanse away everyday dirt and grime, take away the dead cells and to stimulate blood circulation. The regimen includes cleansing, toning and moisturising twice a day, everyday. Twice a week exfoliate your skin to remove the dead cells and use a face mask at least once a week.
-
Cleansing - It is important to cleanse your skin twice a day. For normal to oily skin a face wash should be used and for dry skin use a cleanser.
- Toning - Tone your skin with non alcoholic toner Make your own toner at home by blending 10 drops of rose essential oil to 100 ml of rose water for normal to dry skin and witch-hazel (for oily skin). Store in a dark bottle and use to tone the skin everyday.
For Exfoliation -
-
Oily Skin - Take half a teaspoon of each sandalwood powder, fuller's earth and orange peel mix with rose water and 2 drops of tea tree essential oil. Apply and leave it for 1 minute. Gently massage and rinse it off.
-
For Dry Skin - Take 1/2 teaspoon oatmeal with 1 teaspoon fresh cream, one crushed almond and add 2 drops of sandalwood essential oil. Damp your face and gently massage your face with it and rinse off.
- For Combination and Matured Skin - Take 1 teaspoon of cream with 1/2 teaspoon of granular coffee powder and add 2 drops of rose essential oil to it for combination skin and 1 drop or jasmine essential oil for mature skin.
For Moisturising
Use facial oils at night and these are non-oily which can be used for all skin types.
-
Oily Skin - Blend 2 drops of tea tree essential oil, 1 drop of lemon essential oil and 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil. Mix well and apply all over the face in required quantity.
-
Dry Skin - Take 3 drops of sandalwood essential oil, 1 drop geranium essential oil, 1 tablespoon almond oil and 1 teaspoon castor oil. Blend and store it in a dark coloured glass bottle. Take 2 to 3 drops and apply onto the face.
-
Matured Skin - Mix 1 drop jasmine essential oil, 2 to 3 drops of patchouli essential oil, 1 tablespoon almond oil and 1 teaspoon castor oil and store it in a dark coloured glass bottle. For application take 2 to 3 drops.
- Normal Skin - Those who have normal skin take 1 teaspoon of almond oil with 2 drops of rose essential oil.
