September 20, 2012
BY Karen Ashley1
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It seems you can’t open a magazine or newspaper without being confronted with the latest wonder cream or anti-ager, that’s supposed to be the newest and best way of targeting wrinkles and fighting the signs of getting older. Two or three months later, the same companies are then telling us that they’ve formulated something else that’s bigger and better that we all need to try. The cycle seems never ending. Aside from the hype, there is a much bigger consideration to take into account.
Chemicals in skincare
Most importantly is the amount of chemicals and unnecessary
ingredients these products are packed with that not only can produce
sensitivity or allergies in the user, but can also harm the environment too.
Nature provides us with many wonderful essential oils, designed especially for
use on the skin that really can help give a glowing, radiant and healthy
complexion that puts some of the more expensive wonder creams to shame. Here
are the top five.
Neroli Oil
Known as nature’s greatest skin leveller, this heavenly scented
oil is an incredible calmer and soother for people who are of an anxious
disposition and suffer from sensitive, dry or even oilier skin that needs
to be rebalanced and nourished. It’s a natural anti-bacterial oil, that can
help with skin conditions such as acne or blemishes too. When smoothed onto a
more wrinkle prone or prematurely aged skin, it is a wonderful plumper and
rehydrater that minimises the appearance any lines.
A little known but wonderful essential oil. Very often, natural
skin serums on the market will combine this with Rosehip oil for a powerful
anti-ageing kick. Either alone, or in combination with other ingredients Seabuckthorn
oil is crammed full of anti-oxidants like vitamin C, which really help with
skin issues like eczema, severe dryness and irritation. Using something like
this is a great line and wrinkle preventer, simply because of all the
anti-oxidants combined with skin nourishing moisture.
Argan Oil
This is an oil that’s been used for many centuries, but that has
only caught on as a popular anti-ager on the mass market in recent years. It is
very often recommended as a natural treatment for acne, whilst also being
incredibly effective on deep lines and wrinkles and more often than not, works
surprisingly well when applied very sparingly under the eyes, as a natural skin
softener that really targets the look of crow’s feet, dark circles and under
eye bags.
Carrot Oil
Again, another relatively new essential oil to the mass market
in terms of both knowledge and efficacy. Carrot oil is rich in beta-carotene
and a whole host of vitamins and minerals that when applied topically can give
a real boost to tired and lacklustre skin. An oil like this will give a rested
and refreshed look, that makes it seem as if a regular eight hours has been had
all the time (when sometimes this is anything but true). This is also an
exceptional treatment for anyone suffering from psoriasis or eczema because of
it’s naturally calming properties.
Rose Oil
This is a wonderfully uplifting, yet relaxing oil to use. It’s
rich enough to be used as a moisturiser purely on it’s own such are it’s potent
qualities. The most common extraction of Rose Oil used in skincare is Rosa
Damascena, known for it’s ability to plump and smooth the skin. This is the
most ideal oil for use in skincare for anyone who is looking to quit smoking using essential oils and perhaps is confused about how to take chantix or
any of the other smoking cessation drugs on the current market. As it
is such a potent moisturiser, the look and feel of the typical lines caused by
heavy smoking will be gradually blurred and diminished over time to reveal a
much softer complexion.
Using essential oils in skincare
It’s very important to remember that to get the best of any essential
oils being used in skincare that they’re applied correctly. Most essential oils
need to be blended with carrying oil (which is usually lighter and less
expensive) so that they can be applied safely. Good examples of carrier oils
are apricot oil, almond oil or jojoba oil. To make an oil blend for the skin,
you will need to take around three to five drops of the essential oil of your
choice and mix it with around fifteen millilitres of the carrier oil and store
it in a sterile bottle with a dropper. Have fun experimenting until you find a
blend that best suits your skin’s needs.
