From Eden Noronha
Learn how to create your own beauty elixir using a blend of essential oils and carrier oils
You may have noticed pictures, videos, and articles about beauty oils, essential oils, carrier oils, and oil cleansers lately. The whole idea of using oils in different aspects of a beauty routine is pretty intriguing because you never imagined that using them would go beyond the basic practice of oiling your hair (remember those school days?). Natural oils such as carrier and essential oils were used in ancient Ayurvedic practices in India and in other traditional medicinal practices around the world. You may also have noticed that spas often use aromatic oils and have their own formulations of massage oils because they too come from Ayurveda and have taken advantage of natural oils for the art of holistic physical wellbeing through sensory stimuli. When you think about it, beauty always starts from the inside out. A healthy body is beautiful.
Natural beauty oils have been shown to be great contributors to hair and skin health, but they can do more than just that. If you are emotionally imbalanced, tired, have trouble sleeping, or even relax, these beauty oils can once again help you as they have powerful medicinal properties. All you have to do is prepare your own beauty oils first and then store them on your beauty shelf for immediate use at home or in your handbag for on the go.
The trick is to make your own beauty oil prep first. An easy way to do this is:
Step 1
Before using essential oils, be careful. They cannot be used on their own and must always be diluted in carrier oils. (More details below) Identify the essential oils that appeal to your senses. Find out about different essential oils and their benefits and uses. For starters, you can use lavender, tea tree, and vetiver essential oils as these are pretty safe for beginners. On the other hand, some essential oils can cause irritation even if you mix them with a carrier oil, especially if the ratio is wrong. After all, essential oils are volatile plant extracts that should always be diluted.
step 2
To make a traditional beauty oil elixir, choose carrier oil and blend it with the essential oils. Carrier oils are made from the fat parts of plants like seeds and therefore have moisturizing properties. They can be used to dilute and enhance the effects of essential oils. Common beauty carrier oils that are readily available in the market are organic coconut oil as well as olive, almond, grape seed and jojoba oils.
step 3
Calculate the ratio of essential oil to carrier oil. As a rule of thumb, one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil is used. Make your mix in a recycled, clean oil bottle with a drip top.
Once you have your beauty oil prep ready, the elixir can be used not just as a facial moisturizer or as a scalp moisturizer. Check usage below.
# 1 mosquito bites
Lavender oil is said to relieve mosquito bites when applied topically. A beauty oil blend (like the one you made) that contains lavender essential oil can do the job and also keep more mosquitoes from biting you, as the scent of lavender is a natural mosquito repellent.
# 2 Good night’s sleep
For a relaxing sleep, massage this mixture onto your temples and nostrils and rub a few drops on the soles of your feet. The aromatherapy combined with the penetration of the oil mixture through your skin and blood flow ensures a good night’s sleep.
# 3 Immediate fatigue relief
If you ever feel stressed, anxious, or nervous and can’t calm down, dab a few drops of your elixir on your wrists or on a tissue and inhale the scent. This could help lower your blood pressure. Massaging your hands with a few drops will also keep your hands nourished and enhance the effect of the mixture on your body.
