Essential oils have many beneficial cosmetic and aromatherapy properties. However, when applying any of them, you should always remember that these are highly concentrated phyto-essences that require careful and competent handling.
Here are some facts to help you better understand how to use them.
1. Use the lowest dosage
Essential oils belong to such products, which should not be abundant either in the composition of a cosmetic mask, or as a component of a massage mixture, or when used in aromatherapy.
Even in an aroma lamp, it is enough to add 5-7 drops to feel the desired effect and fill the room with a pleasant smell.And enriching home cosmetics with oils, you need to limit yourself to 1-4 drops or a little more of them in the case of preparing a mask or cream for several applications.
This is due to the fact that any essential oil contains several different active compounds at once, which are required for effective action in minimum dosages. If you overdo it, you can cause serious harm to your health, and the consequences can often be irreversible.
Many of the essential oils are capable of provoking skin burns, seizures, epileptic seizures, and abortion.
Therefore, remember an important rule – less is better than too much, since it is no less effective, while safe for life and health.2. Store in a dark glass
The vast majority of essential oils have two storage characteristics:
- sensitive to sunlight;
- aggressive towards plastics and similar substances.
Essential oils literally corrode plastic to varying degrees, so
they should only be stored in dark (blue or brown) glass bottles, at a temperature not lower than 0 ° and not higher than + 30 ° C. Essential oils do not “like” the cold; when they freeze, they should be “warmed up” for 60-90 minutes at room temperature.Never pour essential oils into containers made of transparent or organic glass, from any kind of plastic, and even more so do not purchase such ones.
3. Do not use all oils in a row
Many beginners in aromatherapy make one mistake – they try to buy as many essential oils as possible and use all of them. There are a lot of essential oils, given that more than 3000 plants grow on our planet. Each person is individual, ranging from psychophysiological characteristics to skin type. In addition, each of us has our own skin smell, which we and others feel almost on a subconscious level. Likewise, oils have different properties and chemical compositions, so not all of them are suitable for this or that person.
As practice shows, in the end, many stop at just a few types of oils that are best suited.
To find your best – determine the purpose of their use, that is, the problems that you want to solve with their help. If this is a facial, then research those that are suitable for your skin type, find an opportunity to test to their scent, choose 1-2 oils that do not cause discomfort when inhaling the scent.
Perform a sensitivity test by applying a small amount of the product to your wrist. If there is no reaction within 3 hours, then the remedy is right for you.You can do the same when choosing oils for aromatherapy or massage. If you are looking for an aphrodisiac essential oil or, conversely, a soothing scent, then sniff a few options and choose those that smell best for you.
When choosing essential oils, do not forget to first study their properties, always listen to your feelings and conduct an allergy test. As a result, it turns out that a set of 3-5 oils is enough for body and face care in order to become loved and take their place in the home pharmacy for a long time.4. Do not add essential oils to regular cosmetics
Sometimes you want to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to shampoo or face cream. It would seem that this should only benefit the skin and hair. In fact, it is a little different.
Since essential oils belong to active natural mixtures of compounds, it is impossible to predict how this or they will interact with the unknown components of your favorite cream or balm.
5. Distinguish carrier oils from essential oils
For many, this will sound like a common truth, but not everyone understands the difference between essential and carrier oils, especially when it comes to dosage and methods of application.
Carrier ones are also called fatty, they can be liquid, for example, olive, almond, flaxseed, sea buckthorn, or solid, called butters, – cocoa, shea, coconut, and some others.
These oils may have a specific aroma, but it is not as pronounced as that of essential oils, which have a strong, sometimes pungent smell, and are volatile, that is, they evaporate from an open bottle.
Carrier oils are used as a base and essential oils are added to them in minimal quantities drop by drop.6. Be aware of phototoxicity
Certain oils can cause burns when exposed to UV light. For example, bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, and lime. Conscientious manufacturers write about this property in the instructions or on the bottle label.
7. Don’t be fooled by a cheap product!
The first requirement for essential oils is that it must be of high-quality, and, accordingly, its price is higher. This is due to the cost of plants and their delivery, the peculiarities of their cultivation, and the complexity of the technological process. The cheap essential oil a priori cannot be of high quality, since such a price indicates either that the product is diluted, or the quality and purity of the raw materials used in the production should be questioned. Just imagine, it takes more than 5 kg of petals to get 1 ml of rose oil.
Therefore, do not strive to save on essential oils, given their economic consumption and efficiency when used correctly.
And to check the quality of essential oil, apply one drop of it on a clean sheet of paper – a good oil will completely evaporate without leaving a stain.These important rules for using essential oils will surely come in handy as you explore the magical world of aromatherapy!