Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in holistic medicine and cosmetic purposes. They are made via steam distillation or cold pressing of the plant materials. The first essential oil factories date back to 1200 BC and the Bronze Age. Hipocrates (c.460 - 377 BC) was a big advocate of treating the human body holistically and included aromatherapy massage as a therapy.

Aromatherapy as we know nowadays was invented by the French chemist and parfumer Rene Maurice Gattefosse. In 1910, in his laboratory chemical explosion, he burned his hand, and used lavender essential oil to heal. His burn healed without leaving any scars.

Essential Oils are widely used in skincare products. They absorb into the skin and interact with the body’s natural chemistry. Essential oils hold amazingly powerful benefits for skin conditions. Depending on the source, it can be soothing, expediting healing, antibacterial, antifungal and promoting cell regeneration. Besides therapeutic properties, essential oils add a beautiful aroma to a product. Aroma also has mood enhancing properties. Can be refreshing, relaxing or smell astringent. Human sense of smell is closely linked to emotions. The gland which detects aroma - the olfactory bulb - is located in the nose and it is connected to the brain.

Essential Oil safety in skincare. They are concentrated extracts, so it is important to use only a small amount. For facial skin the maximum amount is 1% and for the body care products is up to 2%. There are only few essential oils that are safe to apply directly onto the skin without diluting.

The benefits of essential oils are endless, it all depends on the source.

For example Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils on the market. It is not just relaxing, but also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. It is a great addition in acne products.

Neroli is my favorite essential oil! It is known as the “queen of essential oils”! It is extracted through steam distillation from orange blossoms.It has the freshness of the orange and also the sweetness of the blossom. It works wonders in skin cell regeneration. Fun fact, Neroli was the first essential oil that I used in my formulations. Many of you know that Specialty Blend was the first product to come to market. The inspiration to use Neroli Essential Oil came when I was out for a Sunday Funday with my family, we were taking an open cart train ride through the orange orchards. The aroma of the orange blossoms stole my heart. It was so refreshing and uplifting. It will also always remind me of the day I spent with my kids. Every time I apply Specialty Blend Oil it takes me back to that day and puts a smile on my face.

Rosemary and Eucalyptus have strong antiseptic properties. It clears pores and promotes healing and it is wonderful for oily or acne prone skin. It is also high in antioxidants, so it is beneficial for aging skin too.

Frankincense is a superior essential oil for skin brightening and helping to lighten the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots. It is an incredible ingredient to help rejuvenate mature skin.

Those are just a few essential oils, there are plenty of others that add numerous benefits to skincare products.

You may have heard that essential oils have a negative impact on the skin. Well, if essential oils are used in safe quantities and a person is not allergic to a certain plant, there are not many known side effects. However, there are some ways in which essential oils can be misused. 1. As is true to any herb, it is very important how it was grown and the process of preparation. I know that from my own experience. When I was still living in Lithuania, I read in the magazine that chamomile tea bags can be a great compress for the eyes and the surrounding area. Right after removing the tea bags, my eyes started to itch, then got swollen and soon I had hives all over my face and neck. Since then, and for the next 20 plus years I thought I was allergic to chamomile. Then I learned about pesticides. Pesticides are used in the growing process and change the composition of the plant dramatically! I tried a clean skincare product with chamomile and did not have any side effects! My skin years ago was reacting to the harmful pesticides and not the chamomile itself. 2. Another criteria is the equipment used to make the essential oils. It can be copper, glass, stainless steel or aluminum. The best is either glass (only used to make small quantities of essential oils) or copper. 3. Not knowing the safe quantity to use of a particular essential oil OR attempting to use it in water not not oil. Remember oil and water don’t mix, so if you drop in pure essential oils into water and then attempt to use that water, the essential oil will not disperse itself evenly and you can burn your skin. There is also a misconception that those with sensitive skin should avoid essential oils. There are essential oils that are great for soothing sensitive skin, such as chamomile, neroli, and lavender. However, the key is always safely diluting the essential oils and using only at the recommended amount, 1% in facial skincare and 2% in body care products.

There are few products that I prefer to keep without essential oils, such as eye serum, eye cream and soothing hydration (as that helps with sunburns and you want it to be calming enough for sensitive skin).

In my formulations of Diana Ralys Skin Health products I use essential oils and essential oil blends. I am a certified aromatherapist, and I keep studying about the properties of ingredients and essential oils. I believe that knowledge needs to be always updated. Once you lose the curiosity for new information, you should leave the industry. Well, at least these are my standards. In my next step, I will start making some of the essential oils myself. I already bought a handmade copper distiller. In my backyard I am growing a few different types of sage, rosemary, lavender, basil, lemon balm, lemon thyme...Looking forward to my new endeavour and the next level of skincare formulations.

Previous posts relating Essential Oils:

Tea Tree vs. Manuka

What is Neroli?

Next topic Essential Oils vs. Fragrance

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