Uses and Benefits of Essential Oils

What better way to take care of our skin than with natural ingredients?

We've prepared the definitive 'beauty' guide to essential oils so that after reading it, you know perfectly what type of oil yours is, as well as its many benefits and applications. 

Let’s get started!

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are one of the most interesting cosmetic products and, incredible as it may seem, they are still quite unknown. Knowing the types of essential oils and what each one is for is crucial to achieving optimal results. Essential oils are great allies for almost any ailment and work wonders, naturally.

From the point of view of beauty, health, rest and so on, these oils serve as a solution for almost everything and, when we become fond of them, they become essential for our day-to-day. They are perfect for skincare; to aromatize; to improve the quality of hair and eyelashes; for scars; to help us sleep; to eliminate colds and heal wounds; as an anti-inflammatory solution; and to eliminate cellulite, stretch marks, and wrinkles.

Essential Oils and their Uses

Before delving into their types and uses, the first thing to know is what exactly essential oils are. They are aromatic compounds that are in nature, which are extracted from trees and aromatic plants. They are also known as the soul of plants and their uses are ancient (although now they are once again experiencing their moment of maximum splendor).

As for the variety, it is very extensive. Different types of oils are extracted from each tree and each plant, with each one having different properties. When looking for the ones that are best for you, it is essential to take into account several aspects, such as the purpose of the oil or if there is a specific problem that you want to remedy through them.

Following, we've outlined a few of the most popular essential oils that you can add to your beauty routine.

1. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil has cleansing and nourishing properties for the skin. It also has a purifying effect on the body and helps circulation.

Lemon essential oil is used for wounds, warts, and as an anti-fungal, as it repairs and heals. For this reason, it is indicated in the treatment of various skin problems. Anti-fungal properties are commonly associated with citrus essential oils, not just including lemon oil, but also orange essential oil and grapefruit essential oil.

Lemon oil is also used as a cleaner and air freshener at home, its fresh fragrance and disinfectant effect make it a natural alternative to use for household chores. You will only need to dilute a few drops of essential oil in water, in a mixture of homemade cleanser or carrier oil, for example, almonds. You can also prepare a spray with which to remove dust from objects in your house.

2. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is great solution to aid in quick sleep, rest, and relaxation. It is perfect to combat stress and insomnia. Place a few drops on your pillow and your rest will improve.

You can add this step to your list of tricks to sleep well and avoid insomnia. The lavender essential oil has traditionally been used as a natural sedative and calming agent to relieve sleep and stress problems. You can inhale it and take breaths as if it were a brief meditation, or diffuse it in your bedroom or bathroom while soaking in the tub.

Lavender essential oil works perfectly against migraines. Tension headaches in the form of migraines can be disabling and natural therapies are a resource to mitigate them. A solution of olive oil mixed with lavender essential oil gently massaged into the head can help soothe the pain.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree essential oil is one of the most well known. It works in fighting acne by rubbing it on specific areas of the face; it can purify the body; or combat nasal congestion through steam baths with a few drops.

As an effective deodorant, tea tree oil will help to neutralize that uncomfortable visitor that is the bad smell. However, apply to the area with caution. It will be enough for you to dilute two or three drops in water, dip a cotton ball in the mixture and then apply it to the skin.

Follow the same steps as above, in order to reduce the appearance of unwelcome pimples. However, always keep in mind the manufacturer's instructions and consult your pharmacy or herbalist if you have any doubts about the steps to follow in the application.

Tea tree oil will also help you kill lice. Getting rid of these insects that usually attack the heads of little ones can become a real problem for parents. Adding a drop or two of tea tree oil to shampoo or conditioner and leaving it on for a few minutes can prevent lice infestation and work as an adjunct to regular treatment.

4. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is an essential oil made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It is available in several forms, including pure peppermint essential oil, extracts (which have a lower concentration), and enteric-coated capsules, which contain a small amount of peppermint oil in a special coating.

This oil helps to reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic digestive condition that causes abdominal pain and frequent bouts of diarrhea, constipation, or both. Research has shown that menthol, which is a component of peppermint oil, can reduce abdominal spasms by blocking the movement of calcium across the intestinal membrane.