Common Essential Oils Used in Self-Care Products and Their Benefits
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.
9 Things to Consider When Choosing Essential Oils
Essential oils can bring a lot of benefits to one’s health and wellbeing. However, picking the right essential oil can feel as overwhelming as it feels calming and soothing.
Just as not all regular medicines and therapies work for everyone, not all essential oils work for everyone either. Multiple factors need to be considered to determine what essential oils would work best for an individual’s needs. If you want to step into the world of essential oils but find it confusing, start with finding out the following nine things to find the right essential oil for you:
Have You Done Enough Research?
Essential oils get a bad rep, which is mostly due to some of the users’ enthusiasm. Several people claim essential oils to be magic potions, but it’s important to mention that reality is a little different. Scientifically, essential oils don’t contain magic ingredients. They will not cure serious ailments or diseases either.
In the self-care industry, ‘chemicals’ also get a bad rep. It is why before you incorporate essential oils in your routine, you should understand that though essential oils are completely organic, they’re still made up of chemicals. Many people confuse ‘organic’ as a synonym of ‘non-synthetic.’ Non-synthetic is anything that isn’t made in a lab or through mixing raw chemical compounds. At the same time, organic is anything derived naturally from plants or animals and hasn’t been mixed with raw chemicals. However, organic compounds are also made up of chemical compounds.
Everything in the universe is made up of chemicals, including humans and other animals as well as plants. Not all chemicals are harmful, and not everything that is made in a lab is harmful either. Chemicals are what make up the biological cells in all organisms. Organic health and wellbeing products can be safer than synthetic health and wellbeing products because they’re natural. However, they may contain certain chemical compounds that you believed only existed in synthetic products.
Before you begin using essential oils, you should research exactly how essential oils benefit people. You don’t want to have high hopes only to be let down.
What Are You Using Them For?
Picking out the right essential oil becomes easy when you know the purpose you want to use it for. Most people who benefit from essential oils use them for aromatherapy. Essential oils extracted from Lavender, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Jasmine, and Chamomile have been used in aromatherapy practices for thousands of years.
Another good reason to incorporate essential oils into one’s home is their insect repellent properties.Some manufacturers use essential oils such as thyme, citronella, sage, rosemary, peppermint, and lemon in organic insect repellants. Some people may also see benefits like improved quality of sleep and suppressed hunger by continued use of essential oils. Some essential oils can also relieve nausea, congestion, or cramps in some people.
There are up to 90 different types of essential oils available in the market these days. The essential oil that would fit your needs can depend on the specific aromatherapy practice you want to incorporate in your routine or the specific insects you wish to repel from your home.
What Does Your Doctor Say?
Different people tend to benefit from different things. It’s completely okay to incorporate alternative medicines into your routine if your doctor knows and approves. Don’t go against your doctor’s advice and use essential oils or anything else, which may obstruct your ongoing treatment.
You should take your doctor on board if you suffer from a serious medical ailment and want to use essential oils to relieve yourself of some of its symptoms. Don’t assume your doctor will discourage their use because essential oils are sometimes used in alternative medicine. Your doctor is most likely to approve your use of essential oils for aromatherapy.
On the other hand, if you don’t suffer from any serious health complications, you don’t need any doctor’s permission to use essential oils. However, if you develop some health concerns by using essential oils, please consult a doctor as soon as you can.
Have You Accounted for Allergies?
It is important to read up on the ingredients in essential oil blends before using them. Some essential oils, especially if applied to the skin, can trigger allergies in some people. These allergies can continue to worsen when not detected or taken care of immediately. In severe cases, people can develop rashes, blisters, or scaling of skin too.
Inhaling essential oils through diffusers or homemade candles can also result in itchiness of skin, eyes, or nose or other allergies affecting the respiratory system. People can experience stuffy or runny noses, watery eyes, or sneezing. In extreme cases, the use of essential oils can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, hives, vomiting, or diarrhea. Some people may also experience symptoms similar to those of an anxiety attack.
To avoid allergic reactions from essential oils, research well on the ingredients of the essential oil you want to use and make sure it’s free of any allergens. If you’re confused, consult with your doctor. They will guide you on if you should use the essential oil and in what quantity.
How Will You Apply Essential Oils?
There are two safe ways to use essential oils: through inhalation and topical application.
Essential oils can be inhaled through their use in diffusers, candles, burners, and sprays. Essential oils can be mixed with pre-made candles by melting the wax in a double-boiler or making homemade candles. You can also mix it with water and spray it in any room to deodorize it. Essential oils are mixed in with water when using in diffusers and burners too.
Most essential oils used as mood boosters are used in diffusers, candles, and burners. Common mood booster essential oils include lavender, chamomile, sage, and ylang-ylang. In the form of sprays, essential oils are commonly used as disinfectants and insect repellants. Many people also use lavender essential oil mixed in with water as a spray in their bedrooms, specifically on their sheets and pillows to improve their sleep.
Topical application refers to diluting the essential oil with a carrier and applying it directly to the skin. Using a carrier is necessary as essential oils can harm the skin when applied directly. Usually, the carrier is another oil that is safe for direct application on the skin. The dilution should only leave 3% of essential oil concentration in the mixture. A concentration greater than 3% can harm the skin.
The method of topical application is mostly used in aromatherapy massages or baths. However, before practicing this method, people with sensitive skin should consult a dermatologist. Essential oils with disinfecting properties such as peppermint, lemon, and citronella should not be used on the skin with or without the carrier oil. Topical use of any essential oil should also be avoided on damaged skin.
What Carrier Oil Will You Use?
In the US, FDA has approved all edible plant-based oils as carrier oils. Rarely anyone happens to be allergic to these common carrier oils. The most popular and cheapest carrier oils include coconut, olive, almond, and apricot oil.
You can safely pick any of these or other carrier oils available in the stores. However, there are a few points that you should keep in mind while picking a career oil:
- The Odor of Carrier Oil – Pick a carrier oil that you like how it smells, but remember that it will change when mixed in with the essential oil.
- Your Skin Type – While you may not be allergic to a carrier oil, your skin may not be its fan either based on how moisturizing or dry it is. For example, rosehip seed oil makes for a suitable carrier oil for those with dry skin, while olive oil can further dry out their skin. If applied to hair, the skin of the scalp and hair quality should be kept in mind. Argan oil is a common carrier oil to incorporate essential oils in hair care.
- Shelf Life of Carrier Oil – This may not influence which carrier oil you’re picking, but it may impact its quantity. Some oils last for a longer time than others. Your use and their shelf life may affect buying the carrier oil in bulk or in little quantity.
How Will You Include Them in Your Routine?
It is one thing to plan for regular use of essential oils in your daily self-care routine, and it’s another thing to let them spoil on your shelves while you forget about them. Your plans to incorporate essential oils in your routine should be practical, easy, and enjoyable.
There’s no point in buying things that will feel like a burden to use. Instead of improving your life’s quality, essential oils sitting in your cabinet will be a waste of your money.
The effects of some essential oils also take time to be strong enough to be noticed. You will have to stay consistent in the use of essential oils to get any benefits from them. If you cannot use the oild regularly, it would be better to look at other organic self-care forms.
Are You Aware of the Dos and Don’ts of the Essential Oil?
The practices of using essential oils have been developed over millennia. They are not just about the beneficial chemical compounds and the sweet aroma they emit. Essential oil practices are about the traditions and rituals associated with their usage. They are about the whole experience their usage brings.
Before using essential oils, ask yourself if you want to commit to the whole experience. You should also ask yourself if you can realistically commit to using essential oils for a long time.
Here are also a few don’ts you should be aware of when using essential oils:
- Don’t use essential oils on pets or children for any purposes, not even for the same purposes as yourself.
- Don’t think of them as a replacement for traditional medicine.
- Don’t leave them unattended in the presence of children and pets. Children and pets tend to ingest whatever they can get their hands on, and essential oils can prove fatal if ingested.
Do You Know Where to Get Essential Oils?
Since the FDA doesn’t regulate the quality of essential oils available in the market, it can be difficult to determine just by reading the labels. However, here are a few guidelines that will help you identify good quality essential oils:
- The bottle will be airtight – high-quality essential oils will never come in a cheap bottle. The quality of the bottle and the seal on it should give you a good idea about the quality of the essential oil it contains. Any good-quality essential oil will always be packed in a dark-colored glass bottle to keep it safe from direct sunlight and warmth, as these can affect the quality of some essential oils.
- The label will say it all – there should be four important things written on the label. First, the country of origin; second, the plant’s name; third, how that plant was grown; and fourth, the extraction method. If any of these are missing on the label or not written clearly, don’t buy that essential oil.
- It should read “100% Pure Essential Oil,” and there should be no mention of the word “fragrance.”
- The source will be mentioned – the country of the origin of the essential oil should be mentioned on either the label or the packaging. If you want to be responsible, look for ethically and responsibly sourced essential oils, such as Maverick Oils. Maverick Oils is a family-owned business where all the products come from legitimate sources to ensure quality and benefits.
Everything aside, make sure not to overthink or overdo them. Essential oils are used to enhance self-care. If at any point you believe you’re not achieving this purpose, you should pause or stop the use of essential oils. However, if and when incorporated responsibly into one’s routine, essential oils can prove to be greatly helpful.