Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants that preserve the natural essence of their source.
These aromatic oils have been first recorded in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine between 3000 and 2000 BC for healing while ancient Egyptians began to use the oils around 4500 BC in cosmetics and ointments. Almost seven thousand years later, essential oils are still around and can be used in many aspects of one’s life. That’s why here are the top six essential oils that can be implemented in your body or hair care routine for its specific properties.
Warning: Asides from a patch test prior to using, make sure you dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil (e.g. coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, etc.) because essential oils are potent and may irritate your skin or hair when applied directly.
Essential Oil #1: Chamomile
Body Benefits: Dry skin & Sensitive skin; Chamomile oil contains azulene, known for soothing and reducing redness and inflammation. It also moisturizes and enhances the skin barrier. If you have ragweed allergies, chamomile may be a trigger.
Essential Oil #2: Rosemary
Body Benefits: Oily skin & Dry skin; Rosemary contains esters, which can help control excess sebum. Esters is a special type of emollient, substances that moisturize and soften the skin, because it doesn’t leave an oily residue.
Essential Oil #3: Myrrh
Body Benefits: Mature skin & Anti-aging; This oil was used by Ancient Egyptian women in their anti-aging skin care regimen. Myrrh contains magnesium, which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Asides from making DIY recipes, you can add drops of diluted essential oil to your favorite body lotion. You may also add a few drops of essential oil in your body wash or a few drops of diluted essential oil to a warm washcloth for gentle exfoilation.
Essential Oil #1: Clove
Hair Benefits: Fights hair and scalp fungal infections; Eugenol, one of the main active ingredients in this oil, attributes to the oil’s antifungal properties.
Essential Oil #2: Rosemary (again!)
Hair Benefits: Rejuvenate nerves in the scalp; Carnosic acid, a type of antioxidant in the oil, may have the ability to heal tissue and nerve endings in the scalp thus restoring hair growth.
Essential Oil #3: Peppermint
Hair Benefits: Remedy for hair loss; Menthol in this oil is a vasodilator, improves blood flow, which is beneficial for hair growth because in many instances, hair loss is due to starved blood flow to hair follicles.
You can utilize these oils in a direct scalp massage. Simply add a couple drops of the oil to a tablespoon of your favorite scalp massage oil or carrier oil. Massage the oils into your scalp, leave it on for 10-20 minutes and wash it off with your shampoo. Or you can also add a few drops, not too much, into your shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Yet despite these recommendations, you aren’t obligated to just use these essential oils. In fact, there are over 90 types of essential oils for you to smell and try out!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/peppermint-oil-for-hair#benefits https://www.healthline.com/health/rosemary-oil-for-hair https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694587/ https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-skin https://www.healthline.com/health/carrier-oil https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768706/ https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-essential-oils#diffuser
