Shah says oils like cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, cassia, black pepper, and wintergreen can be irritating and recommends always using proper dilution and doing a skin patch test first. Dilution might just be the single most important factor when it comes to using essential oils safely in skin care. Using a more concentrated oil doesn't necessarily mean reaping greater benefits in most situations, according to Tisserand.
Mintsis adds that while some essential oils, such as lavender, should be safe to apply on its own, err on the side of caution and always dilute before application. According to Mintsis, the only oils that should be used are the ones that are considered safe and allowed for internal consumption. Another way to tell if a brand is up to par is if it has its own farm and produces its own oils or buys in small batches, says Mintsis.
Shah also notes that because essential oils aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, you need to be extra careful to ensure you're purchasing from a reputable source. We'd recommend asking an expert for a reference first. Essential oils are plant-based, smell amazing, and contain chemical compounds that can do everything from kill acne-causing bacteria to help regulate hormonally stressed skin.
The reason: Essential oils are chemically active and potentially harsh compounds, and creams with lots of them sound nice but can irritate sensitive skin. That said, you should be conscious of which essential oils you're using. Gentle ones, like geranium, chamomile, blue tansy, and ylang-ylang, are low in aldehydes and phenols, which are compounds found in plants that can irritate skin, says Galper.
But even so, you want to see any essential oils low on the ingredient list — that signals their concentrations are small enough to help, but not irritate, your skin.
If your skin loves lavender, you can use up to a mix of half lavender oil, half carrier oil in your DIY products. I use lavender in a million different ways, all day, every day.
Tea tree oil also called melaleuca oil is definitely enjoying a moment in the natural-beauty-world sun right now, and deservedly so. The only place that tea trees grow naturally is in Australia, but they grow super abundantly there. Traditionally, native Australian cultures used tea tree leaves to treat coughs and colds, heal wounds, and alleviate sore throats and skin ailments.
Tea tree oil is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and exhibits anticancer activity. It kills oral bacteria for up to two weeks, can be used for gingivitis, heals mild to moderate dandruff, kills the influenza virus, and has been shown to slow the growth of tumors in mice. This Australian wonder also works like benzoyl peroxide to treat acne.
It takes longer, but causes fewer side effects, while being less drying than the common drugstore ingredient. I put tea tree oil in virtually all of my DIY products; I recommend diluting to a 5 percent concentration, which is about 14 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil.
One of my favorite ways to use it is to add a couple of drops to my store-bought mouthwash. Eucalyptus essential oil is definitely not for the weak. The scent is similar to camphor another ingredient in VapoRub, and also in Tiger Balm ointment and slightly minty. It will clear your airways super quick and can take your breath away.
They were an invasive species from Australia but the government was worried about the spread of malaria. The trees helped! It can also help boost your immune system and is anti-inflammatory.
I like to diffuse eucalyptus oil at home. The scent is a little strong, but it really freshens up a room and makes the air feel clean. It also makes a great pantry and closet moth and bug repellent. The scent of this oil is a lot like the herb you put in your food.
Rosemary oil is a stimulant. When inhaled, the aroma of rosemary has been shown to increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate and boost your immune system.
When exposed to air alone, the molecules of the pure essential oils tend to evaporate very quickly. In most cases even if you're just adding the essential oils to a bath , you'll need a carrier oil—a neutral, plant-based oil that can act as a base. Common carrier oils include sweet almond, jojoba, olive, sunflower seed, avocado, and grape-seed. For specifics, check out Aura Cacia's handy dilution guide.
Below, see which oils to use—and how—to sleep better, clear up acne, chase away a headache, and more. If you find yourself counting sheep on a nightly basis, it may be high time that you consider some aromatherapy. There are countless studies that detail just how beneficial certain scents can be for getting quality shut-eye , even in highly stressful situations.
For example, one study found that when ICU patients sniffed lavender, chamomile, and neroli, their anxiety levels dipped significantly, and their sleep quality did just the opposite.
Another found that the scent of lavender increased slow-wave deep sleep, particularly in women. Just taking a whiff of any sleep-inducing oil before bed can help, but to reap the benefits all night long, consider keeping an open jar of an oil dilution on your nightstand or using a pillow spray.
Essential oils that help induce sleep: lavender, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, chamomile, neroli, marjoram, cedar, bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, rose. Don't panic: Relaxation is only a whiff away.
Massage an oil blend with calming scents into your temples, which are pressure points. Essential oils for relaxation: rose, clary sage, frankincense, lavender, bergamot, marjoram, ylang-ylang, lemon, geranium, orange, sandalwood, chamomile, vetiver. When the 4 p. Take your pick of scents that can help you double down on the rest of the workday. Other research has shown that peppermint, basil, and helichrysum help with burnout and mental fatigue. Essential oils for improving concentration: rosemary, basil, peppermint, helichrysum, cedar, vetiver, grapefruit, pine, juniper.
Skip the third cup of coffee and keep uplifting essential oils on hand instead. Ko, and Dr. Lin to make sure you purchase genuine products, then start shopping with our picks below. Use it: For better sleep The OG best essential oil for relaxation, research shows lavender can help people sleep better and wake up more refreshed.
And according to the National Sleep Foundation , lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety, making it clutch for nights when racing thoughts are keeping you awake. Bonus perks: Lavender is associated with lower blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature. Use it: To reduce blood pressure In a July study , women who smelled clary sage experienced reduced blood pressure and breathing rates; they were also able to relax during a stressful medical exam.
Bonus perks: It may help with memory and attention. Use it: To wake up Research shows that breathing in peppermint can make people feel more alert and can boost their memory. Bonus perks: It may reduce both fatigue and chocolate cravings. Use it: To decrease anxiety A study found that women who sniffed it during labor a. Use it: To enhance brainpower Breathing in rosemary can improve speed and accuracy during demanding mental tasks, per a study.
Other research found its scent left people feeling refreshed and mentally stimulated. Bonus perks: It may help boost energy and reduce fatigue. Use it: To boost focus It may stoke the area of the brain that governs alertness. For example, research found that drivers were more focused and less flustered after breathing in cinnamon-oil scents.
Bonus perks: It increases concentration and reduces frustration. Use it: To improve mood When life give you lemons, sniff! Research shows oil from the fruit's peel may enhance mood. In a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology in , for instance, researchers found that inhaling the aroma of lemon essential oil was more effective in improving mood than aromatherapy involving the use of lavender essential oil. Use it: To stop sniffling Combat congestion with eucalyptus oil ; it reacts with mucous membranes, reducing mucus.
But be aware: Eucalyptus oil is strong, so you only need one or two drops. Bonus perks: It promotes mental clarity and soothes headaches for some people.
Use it: To achieve maximum chill In one small study , women who inhaled bergamot had lower levels of saliva cortisol a. The scent also helped patients in a mental health treatment center feel most positive, according to a study.
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