Best 8 essential oils for skin beauty and improvement

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from the roots, bark, flowers, leaves, stems and roots of plants through the process of distillation by either steam or water. They are extremely fragrant and potent. Their use in both therapeutic, medicinal and skin care regimens have been widely documented.
 
Records show the use of essential oils dating as far back as 5000 years ago. Egyptian cultures first recorded the use of essential oils of cedar, myrrh and juniper in the process of mummification.

In recent years, holistic skin care regimens' use of essential oils known as Aromatherapy, has taken the beauty industry by storm. Beauty salons and spa's use them for skin care treatments in face packs and skin lotions. Relaxing massages are done with lotions mixed with essential oils and the oil itself, diffused into the air with a diffuser. 

The oils are available in vials, bottles and as roll-ons. Read on to learn more about them.

Essential oils are extremely potent because of their purity and should be used cautiously. They should never be used directly onto the skin (unless otherwise specified) without mixing in non-reactive, neutral oil, also known as a carrier oil.

Jojoba, avocado, olive, sweet almond and sandalwood oil, are some of the more popular carrier oils. The oils are called such, as they help carry the essential oils to the skin for better absorption, enable the essential oils to spread further into the skin cells and reduce irritation of the skin on account of their highly pure concentration.

Failing to do so will cause itchiness and also severe rashes in extreme cases.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil is derived from the flowers of the plant. It is one of the best known essential oils, famous for its soothing scent and skin moisturizing properties. An application of a few lavender oil drops mixed with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, avocado or sweet almond, after a warm bath, revitalizes the skin.

It is used to soothe itchy bug bites and also treat skin conditions such as ringworm and athlete’s foot, on account of its anti-fungal properties.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil is derived from its flowering herb. Although not as well known as the Lavender, its role in treating various skin malaise is too important to be overlooked.
 
It soothes rashes caused by insect bites, hives and poison ivy.This essential oil is used to soothe itchiness that is endemic with liver disease and Diabetes. A gel containing peppermint has also proved to be effective in treating itchiness caused by hypertrophic scars resulting from skin burns.

Frankincense (Boswellia rivae) essential oil is derived from the Oleo resin. If damaged skin is your concern, then look no further than the Frankincense essential oil, to help restore it. This oil works great on all the dry, oily and combination skin types. It soothes and restores damaged skin and has a woody balsamic aroma. 

Frankincense oil is known to heal scars and has astringent properties which lighten and lifts away dark spots and helps to overall improve your skin texture.  

The Rose Otto (Rosa damascena) essential oil differs from the Rose essential oil in that it is extracted from newly bloomed roses. Its distinct aroma sets it apart from the absolute essential oil and is extracted through steam distillation of recently bloomed roses.

It is ideally suited to be used topically, as it is not as harsh as the absolute. Having antibacterial, antioxidant and moisturizing properties, the Rose Otto essential oil heals and restores healthy skin by taking away blemishes. Its antioxidant properties help restore and regenerate new skin cells,  leaving you with a glowing complexion.

Chamomile is one of the mildest and most gentle essential oils out there. This is why it is used to treat skin conditions for delicate skin. The German Chamomile oil works exceptionally well as it is gentle enough to be used on frail skin, such as those found in the elderly and young children. This oil soothes and calms even the most inflamed skin condition.

Adding it to Shea butter and coconut oil, compounds its benefits and the application moisturizes even the driest of skin textures.   

The earthy and musky smelling Patchouli essential oil is derived from the leaves of the Patchouli (pogostemon cablin) plant by steam distillation. This oil, just like honey, improves in quality as it ages.

Patchouli essential oil is useful in treating skin conditions such as eczema. It is generally used in the treatment of oily skin conditions and in recent studies has been proven to reverse some signs of aging.

When mixed with a carrier oil, a few drops of Patchouli, is gentle enough to be mixed in bath water or applied directly to the skin.

Myrrh(Commiphora Myrrha) is derived from the gum of the tree using the steam distillation method. It has been mentioned in ancient Chinese and Ayurveda cultures for its therapeutic properties. Myrrh is one of the oldest essential oils to appear in historical records.
 

Myrrh is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant which gives it amazing anti-aging properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent properties. In fact, everything we look for in anti-aging and skin-tightening treatment regimens. It reduces visible stretch marks on the skin caused by pregnancy or trauma.

Myrrh is useful in treating one of the most difficult skin condition called, ‘Vitiligo’.  This is a condition where the skin gets discolored and turns white due to obstruction in the production of melanin( the pigment which imparts to our skin it’s natural color). Here, Myrrh essential oil is mixed with Sandalwood oil and applied to the skin. 

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolena) essential oil is extracted from the flowers, leaves and stalks through steam distillation.

Its use in skin care treatments is prolific, as it imparts great benefits to your skin. It is proven to eliminate dead skin cells and also promote the growth of new ones resulting in the creation of new cells that give you a glowing complexion.

Also having astringent properties, Geranium essential oil, helps to tighten skin and improves the overall appearance of the skin. It tightens saggy skin and is also known to reduce wrinkles.

So there you are, eight of the best essential oils that are out there. Buy them from a trustworthy source and carefully follow the instructions on blending it with the most suitable carrier oil. What works for someone, may not necessarily work for you, so start small and always try the oil on a samll patch of  skin first and watch for any adverse reaction before proceeding. 

Our skin texture says a lot about what and who we are. Not all of us, unfortunately, are endowed with breathtaking beauty, but having a glowing complexion can work wonders.

With the knowledge of the best essential oils, we can achieve what professional salons promise to give us, right in the comfort of our homes.