Essential oils are oil-like (oily) insoluble in water, liposoluble, mostly colourless or slightly coloured liquids obtained by distillation of aromatic plants, containing only volatile molecules, without chemicals or pesticides.
The use of poor-quality oils can cause migraine, depressed state, blood pressure rises or falls, nausea, vomiting, allergies, and burns.
Aromatherapy is now a popular way to relax, improve psycho-emotional state, rejuvenation and disease prevention. The essential oils used are a concentrate of substances with a pronounced odour, which are obtained by distillation, extraction or pressing. Depending on the type, they have specific properties and are used for a specific purpose, for example, some increase immunity, reduce stress, anxiety, increase vigour and productivity, suitable for work in the field of beauty and yoga, in aroma-cooking, as well as for cleaning.
Effects on the skin
Since ancient times the beneficial effect of essential oils on the skin, muscles, tendons and general condition has been known. Aroma baths relax, relieve stress, and improve blood circulation.
- Rubbing, massage warms the skin, which improves the penetration of medicinal substances.
- Compresses, applications allow you to use both pure and diluted with water or other components of essential oil.
Cosmetic products (shampoos, balms, face and body creams) are enriched with essential compositions. They enhance the action of active components several times.
Essential oils can be applied to different parts of the body and benefit from them. Try to apply oil on the neck, forehead, temples, wrists, chest and abdomen and rub with massage movements. Apply oils on your hands, legs and feet as well. In fact, the feet are the safest place to apply essential oils. However, there are some areas of the skin where you should not apply them. Avoid getting oils in your eyes, ears, nose, mucous membranes and around these places and sensitive skin areas. If you want to apply essential oils to your face, but are afraid of irritation, make a steam bath for the face at home, or go to a beautician for a procedure.
Which essential oil is suitable for beginners?
In the first stages of getting to know essential oils, it's important to have an idea of the most popular oils. Here are 10 of the most popular oils for beginners:
- Lavender essential oil (Lavender) with its sweet, soothing and relaxing scent. Ancient Romans used lavender in baths for freshness and purity, and today lavender essential oil is used before bed to create a cooling effect on the skin after a day spent in the sun and as a soothing scent for the mind and body during massage.
- Lemon essential oil (Lemon). Lemon essential oil not only has an energising aroma but can also be used in beauty rituals and hair care to keep you feeling fresh and clean.
- Tea Tree essential oil is a revitalising oil that cleanses the skin when used externally
- Frankincense Essential Oil (Frankincense) is a luxurious oil with a warm, woody aroma. It can be used for a variety of purposes, from enhancing spiritual and meditative practices to cosmetic treatments. Frankincense oil has an earthy, uplifting aroma that is ideal for enhancing spiritual connection.
- Peppermint essential oil (Peppermint) with a fresh, energising, minty aroma. This refreshing oil is a member of the clematis family and contains menthol, which has a cooling and stimulating effect on the skin. Use Peppermint oil to revitalise your body and mind and fight fatigue. It is an ingredient in many bath and shower products.
- Cedarwood essential oil is a calming and cleansing oil, ideal for use in perfumery, also suitable for meditative practices
- Copaiba essential oil with a warm aroma that revitalises the senses.
- Orange essential oil (Orange) with an invigorating, sweet, citrusy aroma. Orange provides calmness and happiness for the mind, it is also rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene.
- Grapefruit essential oil is a cleansing and toning oil that is a great addition to body lotions. It has an incredibly fresh fragrance as well as cleansing and toning properties for the skin.
- Cypress essential oil with a fresh, woody fragrance that can be used for revitalising massages
Safe use of essential oils
Essential oils are a powerful gift from nature that can have far more potent effects than you might expect, which is why it's so important to verify their sources.
When researching the safe use of essential oils, remember that they are extremely powerful and should always be used with caution.
- Always read the warnings and directions for use on the product label
- Don't forget that sometimes just one drop is enough! Watch for reactions. We are all different, so start by using a small amount of oils and watch for reactions to the essential oils you use. If irritation occurs, apply a base oil to that area of the skin to dilute the essential oil.
- Use only one new oil at a time to see how your body reacts to it. After using a new oil, wait at least 30 minutes before applying the next oil.
- Do not apply oils to eyes, ears, nose or sensitive skin areas.
Warning: during pregnancy, breastfeeding, medication or illness, consult your doctor before using oils.
Keep in mind that oils increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Some oils, mainly citrus oils, can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight for at least 12 hours after
The use of poor-quality oils can cause migraine, depressed state, blood pressure rises or falls, nausea, vomiting, allergies, and burns.
Aromatherapy is now a popular way to relax, improve psycho-emotional state, rejuvenation and disease prevention. The essential oils used are a concentrate of substances with a pronounced odour, which are obtained by distillation, extraction or pressing. Depending on the type, they have specific properties and are used for a specific purpose, for example, some increase immunity, reduce stress, anxiety, increase vigour and productivity, suitable for work in the field of beauty and yoga, in aroma-cooking, as well as for cleaning.
Effects on the skin
Since ancient times the beneficial effect of essential oils on the skin, muscles, tendons and general condition has been known. Aroma baths relax, relieve stress, and improve blood circulation.
- Rubbing, massage warms the skin, which improves the penetration of medicinal substances.
- Compresses, applications allow you to use both pure and diluted with water or other components of essential oil.
Cosmetic products (shampoos, balms, face and body creams) are enriched with essential compositions. They enhance the action of active components several times.
Essential oils can be applied to different parts of the body and benefit from them. Try to apply oil on the neck, forehead, temples, wrists, chest and abdomen and rub with massage movements. Apply oils on your hands, legs and feet as well. In fact, the feet are the safest place to apply essential oils. However, there are some areas of the skin where you should not apply them. Avoid getting oils in your eyes, ears, nose, mucous membranes and around these places and sensitive skin areas. If you want to apply essential oils to your face, but are afraid of irritation, make a steam bath for the face at home, or go to a beautician for a procedure.
Which essential oil is suitable for beginners?
In the first stages of getting to know essential oils, it's important to have an idea of the most popular oils. Here are 10 of the most popular oils for beginners:
- Lavender essential oil (Lavender) with its sweet, soothing and relaxing scent. Ancient Romans used lavender in baths for freshness and purity, and today lavender essential oil is used before bed to create a cooling effect on the skin after a day spent in the sun and as a soothing scent for the mind and body during massage.
- Lemon essential oil (Lemon). Lemon essential oil not only has an energising aroma but can also be used in beauty rituals and hair care to keep you feeling fresh and clean.
- Tea Tree essential oil is a revitalising oil that cleanses the skin when used externally
- Frankincense Essential Oil (Frankincense) is a luxurious oil with a warm, woody aroma. It can be used for a variety of purposes, from enhancing spiritual and meditative practices to cosmetic treatments. Frankincense oil has an earthy, uplifting aroma that is ideal for enhancing spiritual connection.
- Peppermint essential oil (Peppermint) with a fresh, energising, minty aroma. This refreshing oil is a member of the clematis family and contains menthol, which has a cooling and stimulating effect on the skin. Use Peppermint oil to revitalise your body and mind and fight fatigue. It is an ingredient in many bath and shower products.
- Cedarwood essential oil is a calming and cleansing oil, ideal for use in perfumery, also suitable for meditative practices
- Copaiba essential oil with a warm aroma that revitalises the senses.
- Orange essential oil (Orange) with an invigorating, sweet, citrusy aroma. Orange provides calmness and happiness for the mind, it is also rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene.
- Grapefruit essential oil is a cleansing and toning oil that is a great addition to body lotions. It has an incredibly fresh fragrance as well as cleansing and toning properties for the skin.
- Cypress essential oil with a fresh, woody fragrance that can be used for revitalising massages
Safe use of essential oils
Essential oils are a powerful gift from nature that can have far more potent effects than you might expect, which is why it's so important to verify their sources.
When researching the safe use of essential oils, remember that they are extremely powerful and should always be used with caution.
- Always read the warnings and directions for use on the product label
- Don't forget that sometimes just one drop is enough! Watch for reactions. We are all different, so start by using a small amount of oils and watch for reactions to the essential oils you use. If irritation occurs, apply a base oil to that area of the skin to dilute the essential oil.
- Use only one new oil at a time to see how your body reacts to it. After using a new oil, wait at least 30 minutes before applying the next oil.
- Do not apply oils to eyes, ears, nose or sensitive skin areas.
Warning: during pregnancy, breastfeeding, medication or illness, consult your doctor before using oils.
Keep in mind that oils increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Some oils, mainly citrus oils, can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight for at least 12 hours after
Keep in mind that oils increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Some oils, mainly citrus oils, can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight for at least 12 hours after application. Avoid direct sunlight after applying these undiluted essential oils to the skin.
