There are many benefits of essential oils for the skin, hair and health in general. Their uses have diversified, and they are now essential in beauty treatments, anti-ageing, aromatherapy and more.
We have been hearing about the benefits of essential oils for a long time, but perhaps not everyone is aware of their many advantages and the variety of uses and functions.
The first thing to say is that essential oils are the most powerful and concentrated extracts of raw plant materials that are compiled and packaged so that people can take advantage of their wonderful properties. They can come from seeds, bark, fruits, flowers, even roots.
It is a product that is created directly from plants by extraction, distillation or steam and is totally free of additives. As they have no fatty components, they are different from vegetable oils, in fact they are not oily or greasy to the touch. Another important aspect to mention is the fact that essential oils are very aromatic.
As such, there is no standard purity scale for essential oils. However, it is worth noting that pure essential oils, i.e. unadulterated, are those that are extracted from their original botanical sources by appropriate processes, e.g. steam distillation.
How are they used?
Essential oils have a variety of uses: as aromatherapy, health care, beauty treatments, perfumery, religious ceremonies and much more. They are so versatile that you can get these natural chemical compounds tailored to your needs.
But how are essential oils used to make the most of all their properties? One of the ways to use them is by skin absorption. As they are quite concentrated products, they should be diluted in water or vegetable oils and applied to the skin, never directly. They should also not be applied to or come into contact with the eyes or other mucous membranes.
In the case of skin absorption, it is recommended to apply them in massages or baths, as they also have soothing and relaxing properties.
Another way of using these organic chemicals is by inhalation, which is one of the ways in which they work most quickly. When inhaled, it reaches the nasal mucosa, where it is absorbed to stimulate the olfactory nerves.
The benefits of some essential oils can also be enjoyed by ingestion, i.e. by being consumed. They can be incorporated into some foods in the daily diet, for example, to provide aromatic qualities and, at the same time, take advantage of many of their benefits.
Benefits of essential oils
Essential oils have many benefits. Among their many advantages is that they help to balance the skin, as one of their main functions is to provide essential lipids. In addition, these components from nature protect, give luminosity and suppleness to the skin, while moisturising it.
One of their main properties is their anti-ageing effect, i.e. they smooth and refine expression lines, which helps to delay the visibility of the signs of ageing.
On the face, they act as skin revitalizers and block certain cell degradation processes. In addition, they are able to activate cell regeneration, making the skin glowing and supple again.
When it comes to the body, massages with essential oils can help to combat specific problems, as well as helping to combat fluid retention and cellulite through water loss. In addition, when applied to the body, it gives firmness and elasticity to the skin.
The benefits of essential oils have also been proven to improve the appearance of hair: it adds moisture, shine and silkiness.
It has also been proven that these natural chemical components, to a greater or lesser extent, activate circulation, are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, toning, invigorating and antibiotic.
Among the most commonly used are: sage, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon, carrot, oregano, sandalwood, juniper, jasmine, orange and many more.