Enchanted Essentials
Ditch your synthetic beauty regimen for the perfect potion of natural remedies
Written by Reagan Tallmadge, Contributing Writer
Photographed by Hannah Huber, Staff Photographer
As the leaves change colors and the air becomes more occult, oils may be the solution to revive your tired skincare routine. Concocting a customized elixir of all-natural products can help to make your skincare, hair and self-care routines cleaner and more natural. With no questions surrounding the production of ingredients, natural oils are not only better for the environment, but can be safer for you too!
Using the basic ingredients of the earth for beauty is not a new concept, though. Indigenous people have been using all-natural treatments for years to develop products and nourish their skin (Jordan, 2016). In addition to the abundant benefits that natural therapies offer, these remedies won’t break the bank. Essential oils can be found at your local corner store and a bottle costs anywhere between $10 and $20.
Skin
Whether you’re hoping for clearer skin, more moisture or just a cleaner routine, there is a recipe of essential oils to help you achieve your skincare goals.
Applying natural oils topically works best when trying to treat skin issues. You can dilute the oils with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, and apply it directly to the skin, or add them directly to your bath to reach all surface areas (Brazier, 2017).
Dry Skin: Just because the winter air is cold and dry, doesn’t mean your skin has to be. Try lavender, chamomile and sandalwood to relieve your inevitably dry skin (Cherney, 2019).
Oily Skin: Clary sage, rosemary, geranium and neroli can help balance out skin oils and sebum (Cherney, 2019). Those with skin sensitivity should avoid highly acidic oils like lemon and lemongrass, but lavender, frankincense and sandalwood are safe for all skin types.
Acne: Many at-home remedies are out there to clear up blemishes, and I’m sure we have all tried some over the years, but my main goal with using natural oils for acne is just to aid in reducing inflammation and irritation while still nourishing the skin. Oils that can help fight acne include lemon, lemongrass, cinnamon and tea tree since they work as anti-inflammatories and remove bacteria and excess oils while keeping the skin hydrated (Cherney, 2019).
Due to the many benefits of natural ingredients, many products today are marketed for having “real” and “all-natural” elements, especially in skincare. In this new age of beauty products, many companies have produced natural oils for the purpose of being used on the skin, and these formulas can also be found at stores like Ulta Beauty and Sephora.
Pigmentation: Acne scars or age spots can be remedied by pomegranate, carrot seed, tangerine and ylang-ylang (Cherney, 2019).
Hair
Similar to skincare, essential oils offer numerous solutions for a diverse range of hair journeys. To work oils into your hair routine, dilute them with a carrier oil and massage them into your scalp or simply add the oils to your shampoo or conditioner (Gotter, 2019).
Growth: Instead of turning to gummy bear supplements to promote hair growth, there are several essential oils to help you grow your locks naturally. Lavender and clary sage both contain linalyl acetate which is effective in improving hair growth and strength. Rosemary can be a very powerful tool in improving thickness, while peppermint can increase the number of follicles, contributing to overall hair growth (Gotter 2019).
Scalp Health: Tea tree and lemongrass have both been known to treat dandruff due to their antimicrobial properties. For those with dry scalps, ylang-ylang can stimulate sebum production. Cedarwood and thyme also promote hair growth, prevent hair loss and treat alopecia areata by balancing the scalp’s oil-producing glands (Gotter, 2019).
Mind
In addition to physical self-care, essential oils can be very powerful in treating headaches and aiding in practices to improve mental health.
Headaches: Lavender, chamomile, rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus all can be used to help with headaches. Eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint can be applied topically, while lavender and chamomile can be used in a bath or diffuser (Gotter, 2019).
Stress & Anxiety: There are a plethora of oils that are useful in relieving stress and helping with relaxation, such as lemon, ylang ylang, geranium, lavender and chamomile (McDermott, 2021). Try diffusing these oils during a meditation session or to wind down during your nighttime routine.
From food, to medication, to cosmetics, we live in a very processed reality. It can be overwhelming and frustrating to develop a self-care routine when the beauty industry presents an abundance of chemical-infused products to correct every little imperfection. It’s time to go back to the basics and turn to the natural remedies that life has to offer. They are offered virtually everywhere, so pick up some natural oils and other clean products and revamp your beauty formula.
Sources:
Brazier, Y. (2017). Aromatherapy: What you need to know. Medical News Today.
Gotter, A. (2019). Essential Oils for Hair. Healthline.
Segal, L. (2019). 8 Essential Oils With Serious Skin Benefits. Harper’s Bazaar.
Jordan, A. (2016). Ancient beauty rituals that work, and where to try them. cnn.com
Cherney, K. (2019). The Best Essential Oils for Your Skin. Healthline.
Gotter, A (2020). 5 Essential Oils for Headaches and Migraine. Healthline.
McDermott, A (2021). The 18 Best Essential Oils for Anxiety. Healthline,
Gardner, S. (2019). Dos and Don'ts of Essential Oils. Web MD.