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HYDERABAD: In the past five years, the cosmetics market has been inundated with natural products that claim to be clean and green. The excessive marketing on the use of natural skin care products has led people to believe that any ingredient found in nature is harmless and beneficial.
After that, DIY skin care has become a hit as the pandemic forced us to skip salon visits. People source a few ingredients from the kitchen and online stores, and make their own masks to treat various skin problems, provided these natural ingredients are completely safe. We don’t like to tell you, but “clean and green” can also be mean! One of the main ingredients of home skin care are essential oils.
Dr. Renuka Thergaonkar
Tea tree, rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint, and jojoba are some of the essential oils used in most DIY face masks. Dr. Keerthana Kalva, a dermatologist from Hyderabad, says, “Assuming that all oils are suitable for everyone just because they are natural is the biggest mistake in skin care. In traditional Indian methods, oil is used to treat the skin for various problems, but science says otherwise. It is very important to understand your skin type, the problems you are facing and use the appropriate essential oil. “
LL Khongsai, a research scientist at the University of Hyderabad, used tea tree oil to treat her dry skin and dark spots. Fortunately, her skin was moisturized and the spots disappeared. She applied the oil directly but had no complications.
But not everyone is lucky like Khongsai. Dr. Renuka Thergaonkar, cosmetic chemist who does both research and formulation of skin care products, suggests that products like these contain the appropriate concentration of essential oil and are blended with other carrier oils. “When deciding to use an essential oil in a DIY face mask, care must be taken and it should not be used in large quantities. Excessive use of essential oils can lead to sensitivity and irritation, ”she says.
From inhaling lemongrass oil to treat nausea in pregnant women to adding a few drops of eucalyptus to a hot bath to treat body pain, essential oils are useful in many ways. But please read the consumer caution before splashing it on your face.
How to Use Essential Oils Safely
- Do a patch test before adding essential oil to your skin care regimen
- Always use a carrier oil (coconut, olive, almond oil) to mix with the essential oil
- Don’t use essential oils regularly if you have oily skin. While dry skin needs oil as a sealant, oily skin needs moisture. Instead, opt for a moisturizer
- When using an essential oil in a DIY face mask, use no more than 1-2 drops