The Complete Essential Oils Sourcebook: A Practical Approach to the Use of Essential Oils for Health and Well-Being

Wipe away any excess using a cloth or pad dipped in warm water.

Refresh the face and neck by applying flower water or a toner or cleanser (#ulink_cd3a7140-2317-542d-846a-57d2a74728ca) suited to your skin type.

Apply a moisturizing oil or night cream suited to skin type.

Sparingly apply a moisturizing eye oil, cream, or gel (as shown, right). Wheat germ or rosehip seed oil is ideal.

A basic skin-care routine

Different skin types require individual treatment but a good basic skin-care routine, which takes very little time, involves cleaning, toning, and moisturizing every morning and evening, and giving the skin extra-special nourishing, cleansing, and revitalizing treatments once a week. Recipes for basic oils, gels, and creams are given here (#ulink_1caf50de-47ce-5339-a102-ad431d23fec6), recipes for masks and moisturizers (#ulink_ec5ac7cc-88fb-5ae8-8095-9c661df84492) are on, and recipes for simple fresheners and toner/cleansers (#ulink_cd3a7140-2317-542d-846a-57d2a74728ca).

Every morning

Cleanse with a light cream or oil, then remove any excess with a cloth or pad and warm water.

Refresh the face and neck with a flower water or toner/cleanser suited to your skin type.

Apply a light moisturizing oil or cream (with sun protection if wished). Let it be absorbed by the skin before applying make-up, if worn.

Sources of ingredients

COCONUT

APRICOT KERNEL

AVOCADO

Oils derived from fruits are nourishing and beneficial to the skin in many ways. Research has shown that they encourage the formation of fresh cells.

Once a week

To remove dead cells and debris from the skin surface, use dry skin brushing, a skin scrub, or an exfoliant.

Give the face a nourishing massage (or receive a professional facial treatment) using rich oils, such as evening primrose, avocado, or borage. Massage with upward strokes.

Give your face a steam treatment or facial sauna as described here (#ulink_00e8c084-3d70-5d5e-876b-24078501b76c). This opens the pores and deep-cleans the skin, to get rid of accumulated grime or dirt as well as detoxifying and bringing fresh blood to the surface.

Apply a mask made from natural ingredients, as shown right. The ingredients of the mask should be chosen according to skin type. For instructions on making a mask and choosing ingredients see here (#ulink_ec5ac7cc-88fb-5ae8-8095-9c661df84492).

Oils and creams (#ulink_15a79945-6d70-5e58-a931-2732d408d062)

BEAUTY, ESPECIALLY SKIN- and hair-care, is central to the practice of aromatherapy. But while receiving a full body massage from a professional aromatherapist or having an aromatic facial in a beauty clinic is certainly a treat, it is not essential for maintaining a clear and healthy complexion. Many aromatic recipes are simple to make, and regular treatment can easily be carried out at home.

Facial oils

Facial oils are made up in the same way as general massage or body oils (#ulink_14dd133e-4bb7-5c04-b5fd-7b5e9e703c7a), except that the base or carrier oil, as well as the essential oils, can be adapted to the type of skin which is to be treated. Suitable carrier oils include avocado, olive, wheat germ, hazelnut, apricot kernel, peach kernel, borage seed, carrot, and evening primrose, as well as the more basic carrier oils such as sweet almond, grapeseed, jojoba, or sunflower oil. Apart from nourishing and toning the skin, facial oils can also be used for facial massage and local self-massage.

Facial oil recipe

Mix two parts of a basic carrier oil and one part of a specific carrier oil suited to the skin type, with 0.5 to 1 percent of an essential oil (or a blend of oils).

Tapioca gel recipe

Use 3½fl oz/100ml water to 1½ tsp/7.5ml tapioca. Mix and simmer until the tapioca is dissolved. Strain off the liquid and let it cool to form a transparent gel. Stir in a few drops of essential oil just before it sets.

Facial creams

An aromatic facial cream should moisturize, heal, and nourish the skin, trapping the moisture in, but also letting the skin breathe. To make up a basic cream at home, use the instructions here (#ulink_543def27-4d9c-5bc4-88b7-f594c86705f0), based on what is traditionally known as Galen’s cold cream recipe.

Apart from nourishing and toning the skin, facial oils can be used for massage.

GRAPES

AVOCADO

HAZELNUTS

Making your own beauty treatment oils and creams enables you to choose ingredients best suited to your skin, and a fragrance to your liking.

Cold cream recipe

Ingredients

4fl oz/120ml almond oil

½oz/15g beeswax beads or grated wax

2fl oz/50ml rose water

6–10 drops rose essential oil or other essential oil according to skin type

BEESWAX

1 Put the beeswax beads into a toughened glass bowl and pour in the almond oil.

2 Place the bowl in a pan of water over a gentle heat, and mix until the ingredients are melted together.

3 Warm the rose water in a second bowl or jar, and then add to the wax and oil mixture bit by bit, beating all the time.

4 Finally, stir in the essential oil, transfer the mixture to a pot, and put into the refrigerator to set.

Gels

Water-based gels provide a useful, nonoily medium for the application of essential oils, as an alternative to oils and creams when required. A gel can be used to dilute any essential oils for irritating skin conditions such as eczema or athlete’s foot, particularly if the skin is broken or sensitive. Gels are also suitable as a substitute for base or carrier oils for general skin care, especially if the skin is apt to be greasy. The percentage of essential oil to add to the gel base depends on where it will be used and for what purpose. Healing gels may include up to 2.5 percent of an essential oil when applied to the feet, whereas 0.5 percent is enough for application to the face or for general skin-care purposes. A natural soothing and cooling gel can be made with tapioca and water.

Water-based gels are a good means of applying essential oils to treat skin conditions. This is especially useful for oily skin.

Masks