Over the past few years, we’ve seen the growth of essential oils and every day their popularity increases. But essential oils are not just prevalent in the skincare world. These oils have also taken over the wellness space, with many using it in aromatherapy to cure certain symptoms like anxiety, pain, nausea, and insomnia. It has now even become a common ingredient in cleaning products.
So, are these oil-plant extracts as safe as they claim to be and do they really have magical properties? We’ve searched the internet to find the truth about these oils and created a guide that will help you understand more about this product and whether or not you need to include it in your beauty routine. Scroll down to know more.
What Are Essential Oils?
Before we jump into the pros and cons, you first need to understand what essential oils are and how are they made. In simple words, essential oils are derived from plants through different extraction methods, one of which includes steam distillation, which is the purification of a liquid via heating, making them highly concentrated. In other words, popular oils like rose oil are derived from rose petals, lavender oil from the lavender plant and tea tree oil from a plant called Melaleuca alternifolia. Currently, there are hundreds of essential oils available in the market.
How To Use Essential Oils?
As stated earlier, even though it has made its mark on the skincare world, essential oils can be used differently. From using it for its therapeutic properties to wellness to skincare to even medicinal, the list goes on.
Inhaling Essential Oil
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During the past few years, we’ve seen the growth of diffusers and humidifiers that dilute these oils with a carrier oil. Although it is not scientifically proven, many people believe that inhaling these oils can have a positive effect on your emotional and mental well-being. Many add these oils to a diffuser which vaporizes the high concentration, creating microdroplets to cure issues like anxiety, sleep deprivation, depression, and even improve mental focus. Others inhale these oils directly by adding tiny droplets to a cotton ball and deeply inhale it or use the steam method which includes adding the oil to hot steaming water, placing a towel over your head and taking deep inhales.
Skincare
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Most of us are all too familiar with essential oils as part of the skincare world. In fact, nowadays, you will rarely find skin products that are not infused or enriched with essential oils. While these oils do have plenty of skin benefits, you need to be extremely careful while using them topically. If they are an added ingredient in a product it is most likely safe, but if you are using the highly concentrated product directly on the skin, you need to be careful. Remember, just because it is natural, doesn’t mean it can’t harm your skin. While many oils can be used directly to heal, tone, and brighten the skin, others are very powerful and if used directly can cause skin damage, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Phototoxic essential oils like citruses, cinnamon, clove, lemongrass if used in large amounts can burn the skin when it comes in contact with sunlight, regardless of your skin type. In such cases, it’s important to dilute the product and do a patch test before using it.
Using Essential Oils In The Shower
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There’s no denying that there are certain smells that can change our mood completely. Essential oils are a mood booster and many use them to start their day on the right note by adding it to their body wash or just on their bathroom walls. Remember the product itself should be kept away from hot and humid temperatures, but you can, however, add a few droplets in the shower or to your bath water to create a chamber of aroma that’s a delight to your nose.
Popular Essential Oils
Ready to begin your journey with these oils? We’ve listed down a few popular oils and their mental and physical benefits. Best of all, they are perfect for those just beginning their journey in the aromatic world.
Lavender Oil
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Lavender oil is the most popular oil due to its endless benefits. This oil can be used to relieve headaches, anxiety, and insomnia and even applied topically to cure minor skin injuries and cramping.
Tea Tree Oil
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If you suffer from acne, you need to include this product into your beauty routine. Since it has plenty of antibacterial properties, this oil can be used to reduce breakouts, treat nail funguses and even warts.
Peppermint
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Peppermint oil can be used to improve digestion when consumed, relieve nausea and improve brain function when inhaled.
Rosehip Oil
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This essential oil has become a cult favourite in the skincare world. When used topically, this oil moisturizes, brightens and even helps protect against sun damage.
Now that you’ve got all the deets, go on and add it to your daily routine.
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