Essential beauty

Essential oils and products containing them have acquired a resurgence of interest as consumers worldwide embrace natural and organic products. Many skin-care brands have realised the benefits and are touting the angle that they not only inject life and vitality into the skin, but have positive effects on mood. Products containing only natural oils and emollients combined with essential oils have been around for a long time and the well informed have been reaping the benefits for years. Brands with excellent products that contain pure essential oils include Alchemy, Apivita, Decleor, Jurlique and Tisserand in Cyprus and Aromatherapy Associates, ESPA, Neals Yard and Raw Gaia online.

You can purchase undiluted essential oils, but remember not to use them neat on the skin (except for lavender in tiny amounts). Essential oils are concentrates of plants, woods or resins, so only use one or two drops, diluted in a couple of teaspoons of milk, almond oil, olive oil or even vodka, depending what you are using them for. It’s important to know how to use them safely, as they are powerful. Do not to use them in the first four months of pregnancy and from the fifth month only use tiny amounts of lavender, neroli, geranium and sandalwood, diluted in copious amounts of almond oil and rubbed into the body to help prevent stretch marks. It’s best not to use on toddlers except tiny amounts of lavender very occasionally for the relief of mosquito bites, minor skin wounds or infections. For professional advice and safety data, or to order pre-blended bottles of skin oil, contact Fragrant Planet on 99 956557, or Alchemy Oils on 99 548338. Also useful to know is not to allow neat oils to get near or into the eyes.

Many essential oils are best left to professional aromatherapists to use, but below is a list of wonderfully calming and uplifting oils that are safe and useful for use at home. Just remember to dilute in a base oil (or milk for baths), before use. Simply use a drop or two in a handful of base oil and rub onto the body or face.

Lavender

Great for all skin types. Relaxing, aids sleep and stress. Use two or three drops in the bath or one drop on pillow to relax and calm at night. Very good for fighting skin infections, insect bites and spots. Takes the pain out of minor burns. Helps relieve headaches. Apply to neck on tonsil area when suffering from sore throat. (NEVER ingest or put ANY essential oil in mouth)!

Try: Aphrodite Aromatics (locally produced), Tel: 99 616324

Ylang Ylang

Divine exotic floral scent. Great for anxiety and depression. Sensual and relaxing so good for impotence or frigidity. Relaxes the nervous system and helps calm rapid breathing or excitable conditions. Suits most skin types and helps balance both oily and dry skins. Stimulating effect on scalp encourages stronger hair growth.

Try: Apivita, from chemists

Orange

Fresh ‘happy’ scented oil that lifts the spirits and helps to dispel gloomy moods and depression. Its cheering effect helps insomnia. Helps increase energy and calms the stomach (never ingest)! Encourages the appetite and balances gastric problems. A great skin tonic that helps in the formation of collagen. Helps detox congested skin but also good on dry skin and wrinkles.

Try: Fragrant Planet, Tel: 99 956557

Chamomile

Very calming and sedating. Its analgesic effect helps muscular pain, low back pain and nervous conditions. A great sleep inducer. Has a soothing action on the skin and helps mild burns, blisters, inflammation and boils. Good for sensitive, red, dry or acne skins.

Try: Jurlique, Tel: 25 814844

Frankincense

Another calming oil, as it slows and deepens breathing. Helps anxious and obsessive states, giving a more philosophical outlook. Good for respiratory problems such as asthma, shortness of breath and helps clear the lungs. Very good for ageing skin as it regenerates and helps fight wrinkles. Has a balancing action on oily skins. Good for skin wounds, sores, ulcers and inflammation.

Try: Tisserand, Tel: 99 353769

Geranium

Sweet and heavy rose-like scent. A very balancing oil for skin and hormones as well as the mind. Good for ringworm, herpes, shingles and eczema. Useful for men and women as it helps stimulate the lymphatic system and circulation, so is good as a muscle rub as well as a great skin tonic.

Try: Heaven On Earth, Tel: 99 993412

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