Aromatherapy and Skin Care

Aromatherapy has a lot to offer in the area of skin care. Essential oils can treat acne and oily skin, dandruff and dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, and even the itching and discomfort of chicken pox. Talk to your health care provider to make sure, but essential oils are generally safe to use along with other medical treatments. If you are pregnant or have epilepsy, you should talk to a qualified health care provider before using essential oils.

You can use essential oils in a massage oil or in a bath. The best method will depend on the skin condition you wish to treat. If you are treating dry, chapped skin, a massage oil will work better than a bath, because water will be drying to the skin while massage oil will be nourishing. If you are treating acne, however, you will want to avoid applying additional oil to the skin, so a bath will work best.

Wash the face or affected area with the bath water. Another example is the treatment of scars or stretch marks. Treat those with massage. Treat itchy skin, however, caused by something like chicken pox or eczema, in a bath. Feel free to experiment with different treatment methods until you find the one that works best for you.

If you have never used essential oils before, this is how to do it: Add four drops of oil to a tablespoon of a carrier oil, such as almond oil. You can buy that most places you can buy essential oils, such as a health food store, or order it online. Then use the oil as a massage oil.

If you want to use the oils in a bath, add eight to ten drops to a full tub of water. Don't add more than that because you can irritate your skin. The oils are very strong so you don't need a lot. Don't use the oils directly on your skin.

Following is a list of oils that can be used for skin care. Identify those that will work for your condition, then choose one or two to try. The best way to select the right oil for you is to go to a store that sells the oils and smell them. The ones that smell good to you are usually the most therapeutic for you.

Balsam, Peru- eczema, rashes, suitable for sensitive skin

Bay- dandruff, oily skin

Benzoin- chapped skin

Bergamot- acne, itching, oily skin, psoriasis