The increased popularity of essential oils in the past few years can be credited to those who take self-care seriously. The popularity of essential oils as essential ingredients in self-care products has led to several natural skincare brands. Moreover, it has also led to established self-care brands launching new product lines named after certain essential oils.  

However, the use of essential oils in beauty and self-care products isn’t new. Essential oils have been used in various skincare and haircare products before it was a trend to read product labels and be informed about what one is putting on themselves. If you have begun doing the same and are looking to be informed about essential oils and their uses in self-care products, you are at the right place.

So without further ado, let’s find out what essential oils are commonly used in self-care products and what benefits do they provide:

Argan Oil

Argan oil is one of the most popular essential oil as it can be used on both skin and hair. Supermarket aisles are full of argan oil self-care products. From hair masks to shampoos to face masks to particular treatments, it can be found in everything. Argan oil is packed with essential fatty acids and linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is another form of fatty acid which is beneficial for health in multiple ways.

The benefits of argan oil for skin include moisturizing, protecting from sun damage, reversing sun damage, repairing skin, and healing irritated skin and skin infections. It also contains vitamin E, which helps with changing ageing signs and reducing acne marks and dark spots.

For hair, argan oil works as a natural leave-in conditioner. It contains essential antioxidants that help detangle hair ends, promote hair growth, and boost hair volume by strengthening hair follicles and reducing breakage. The fatty acids in argan oil bind to hair and provide shine and silkiness to them.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is top-rated in people with oily skin, and for all the right reasons! The essential oil contains a high percentage of antioxidants along with anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. These beneficial properties of tea tree oil have made skincare brands dedicate entire product lines to it.

It is a popular choice for alternative acne treatment. Even 100% pure tea tree oil is safe to use on the skin. However, it can be mixed in with other essential oils or carrier oils for added benefits. The anti-bacterial actions by tea tree oil significantly reduce the existing acne and prevent acne in users. It also helps reduce the appearance of acne scars and leaves the skin smooth, clear, and soft after use.

Besides treating acne, tea tree oil also helps moisturize oily skin. The misconception that people with oily skin don’t need to moisturize their skin is pretty common. More often than not, people with oily skin worsen their skin texture by constantly stripping their skin of oils and moisture. Tea trees can greatly help such people restore their skin’s natural texture by moisturizing it without creating a heavy oil film on the skin.

The above-mentioned moisturizing properties of tea tree essential oil also make it useful to treat eczema and skin rashes. However, itchy, irritated, and extremely dry skin should not be exposed to 100% tea tree oil. Since tea tree oil works better on the skin’s surface, mixing it with a carrier oil or moisturizer can help increase its reception and absorption by the skin.

The benefits of tea tree oil on the scalp are the same as skin. The moisturizing properties of the oil can help reduce dandruff and make hair more substantial from the roots. The anti-bacterial properties of the tea tree essential oil also make it worthwhile to treat minor cuts and wounds.

Clary Sage Oil

A lesser-known ingredient among people, clary sage, is a common essential oil in several beauty products. Its soothing and balancing properties have made it a widespread use for products for all types of skin. It is an excellent moisture neutralizer and can control oil and sebum production on the skin. Clary sage essential oils contain many natural compounds that contribute to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and stimulant properties.

At times, people with dry skin can have difficulty finding a suitable product for their acne. Clary sage’s balancing and anti-inflammatory properties together can help people with dry skin get rid of acne without drying out their skin. As most dry skin is also sensitive, since there is no natural oil film to protect it, the anti-inflammatory properties of clary sage essential oil benefits double-time to calm the skin.

The antioxidant and stimulant properties of clary sage oil prove helpful when it is applied to the scalp. It can tighten the scalp skin and muscles and maintain and stimulate collagen production and hair growth. In cosmetics, it adds a natural, harmless fragrance along with all the other benefits.  

Lavender Oil

While lavender is the most popular essential oil in self-care products that fall into the category of aromatherapy, it can also prove to be a beneficial ingredient in skincare and haircare products. Lavender’s inclusion in self-care products isn’t uncommon either. Its main properties and benefits are similar to other popular essential oils. However, it is of more significant benefit to people with dry skin or when mixed in with other essential oils. On its own, the lavender essential oil can cause stinging or skin irritation.

Mixing lavender oil with jojoba oil or aloe vera can turn it into a natural skin disinfectant and suitable for minor wounds or cuts. The disinfectant properties of lavender oil combined with the soothing properties of the carrier can help reduce inflammation and promote healing of the skin. It can also help with smoothing out the appearance of the wound once it’s healed.

When mixed with tea tree oil, lavender essential oil benefits can extend to soothing dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. It can significantly reduce red and scaly skin’s appearance and make it soft and healthy with regular use. It can also help treat acne for those with dry skin. However, it shouldn’t be mixed with tea tree oil when applied to the skin for acne treatment. Instead, combining it with a moisturizing carrier oil, such as coconut oil, works better for this purpose.  

However, the tea tree and lavender mixture can help get rid of head lice or scalp fungus. It can also get rid of dandruff and promote hair growth.

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip essential oil contains a high percentage of fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin C. While vitamin C is a necessary part of the diet, it is also a vital ingredient for most modern cleansers, serums, toners, and moisturizers. Many synthetic and natural beauty brands have dedicated entire product lines to vitamin A and vitamin C, and rosehip essential oil can be found in most of them.

When applied to the skin, vitamin C can reduce wrinkles and sun damage. It can also treat sunburns and help in the generation of new skin. With regular use, it can also help reduce skin pigmentation and the appearance of dark spots.

Vitamin A also helps in reducing hyperpigmentation. It also makes for an excellent natural moisturizer, especially for dry and sensitive skin and repairs the top skin layers by reconstructing skin barrier damaged by sun, harsh chemicals, or other external factors.

The combination of vitamin A and vitamin C also enhances benefits of both the essential vitamins. However, vitamin A and vitamin C can irritate those with sensitive or damaged skin. Therefore, rosehip oil shouldn’t be used directly on broken or irritated skin. If found in skincare products, make sure the product contains other neutralizers.

Neroli Oil

Neroli essential oil is a common ingredient in soothing products such as creams, lotions, and toners. Besides its mild fragrance, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil also make it a beneficial oil.

The oil contains a high percentage of vitamin C which also increases benefits when added to any self-care products. Unlike rosehip oil, neroli oil can be used on irritated skin due to its calming effects. If you have sore or sensitive skin, you should look for neroli essential oil instead of rosehip essential oil.

The essential oil benefits also a common component in haircare products that promise dandruff relief. Neroli oil plays a vital part in delivering the promises. Its clean fragrance also makes it a top choice to be used in perfumes and aromatherapy products.

Marula Oil

Marula essential oil is another common essential oil in all types of self-care products, especially skincare products. Its rich in antioxidants and amino acids make it an easy choice for hydrating, moisturizing, and antiaging products. From hand creams to moisturizing soaps to nail strengthening oils and body creams, it can be found in most products in any supermarket skincare aisle.

Its gentle hydrating properties make it ideal for lip products such as lip balms, hydrating lip glosses, and lip repair treatments. Since it’s gentle on the skin, it can also be used to treat sensitive skin around the nails. The gentle hydration it provides makes it ideal for all skin types. Most moisturizers for oily skin contain marula essential oil.

Besides skincare, marula oil is an essential hydrating agent in hair care products too. It calms down frizzy and rough hair without adding too much grease.

Frankincense Oil

Another common essential oil found in most hair care products is frankincense essential oil. Like marula oil, this oil also adds moisture to hair without making them greasy. It is also a vital ingredient in anti-dandruff hair products. Its calming and antiseptic properties also help reduce the itchiness of the scalp due to prolonged or chronic dandruff.

Despite its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, the oil can cause skin irritation if applied directly. However, mixed in with a moisturizing carrier, it can be used to treat acne among those with dry skin. It can also help skin recover from sun damage and can promote new skin cells generation.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is widely used in all forms of cleansers, from scalp cleansers to face and body cleansers. Due to its easy absorption by the skin and its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, the oil helps clean the buildup of germs, oil, and other chemicals from the skin surface wherever it’s applied.  

However, the oil shouldn’t be used on its own. Although it’s common for many self-care products manufacturers to mix the oil with a moisturizing carrier, the oil’s benefits can be mellowed down. For getting the most benefits from the moisturizer, it should be mixed in with a neutralizing or dry oil such as rosehip or argan.

Besides the above-mentioned uses, peppermint oil is also used in many refreshing body mists, deodorants, and deo-sticks.

Rose Oil

Rose extracts have been used for self-care for at least a few thousand years now. In modern-day beauty products, rose essential oil adds gentle moisturizing and calming properties. Since the oil is packed with vitamin A, it is a crucial ingredient in anti-ageing products.

Rose essential oil doesn’t bring glow and balancing moisturizing qualities to skin alone but also provides hair with shine while removing frizz and brittleness from them. It effortlessly combines with other essential oils and can act as a carrier oil for more potent essential oils such as lavender or peppermint oils.

It is also a common and prominent ingredient in several perfumes.

Finally, if you’re looking to level up your skincare game, looking for essential oils that fit your requirements and your skin’s need can prove to be helpful. If you are interested in formulating cosmetic or beauty products and are looking for a reliable dealer to get them from, you can look into our catalogue for essential oils.