Top 5 essential oils for skincare
The benefits of pure essential oils are endless, but did you know they’re also great for skincare? Here are our top picks!
Essential oils are all the rage these days and rightfully so! Essential oils can be extremely beneficial for our emotional and physical selves. Pure, high quality essential oils can be nourishing and balancing for the skin. Trust us when we say, whatever your skin issue—there is an oil for that! Different oils help with different skin types, so it is very important to know what skin type you are to find the right oil for you.
We love incorporating essential oils into our skincare regimes as there are hundreds of ways to use oils. A quick and easy way is to add a drop or two of your chosen oil into a basic moisturizer, or a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil.
Here are our top oils for skincare and some of the many ways to use them.
How to use essential oils for skincare
Frankincense Oil
An extraordinary oil known for its soothing and beautifying properties, frankincense has been used for thousands of years for everything from perfume to skin salves. It is used to rejuvenate skin and reduce the appearance of imperfections when applied topically.
NOURISH YOUR SKIN. Use a drop of frankincense with three drops of carrier oil or in unscented lotion for beautiful, radiant looking skin.
TRIED AND TRUE. We use a couple of drops in our night cream and swear that our skin looks more radiant in the morning!
BE YOUTHFUL. Frankincense can help promote youthful, radiant looking skin and slow the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of skin imperfections. Dab with one drop of a carrier oil to trouble areas like fine lines or pigmentation.
RELAX AND REVITALIZE. Soak in a warm frankincense bath to calm the nerves or diffuse frankincense in the bathroom while you relax in the tub.
Lavender Oil
A very versatile oil that is known for its calming and relaxing qualities. Applied topically, lavender is also used to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections or soothe irritated skin.
QUICK FIX. Mix three parts fractionated coconut oil with one-part lavender essential oil in a small spray bottle, or roll-on to help clear up skin irritation associated with chafing. Great for little ones!
HOMEMADE AFTERSHAVE. Use lavender essential oil after shaving to soothe and soften skin, and to lessen the redness and burning caused by razor burn.
TAKE THE “OUCH” OUT. One drop of lavender will help relieve the sensitivity of gums, dry or chapped lips, occasional scrapes and abrasions, or after too much sun.
Melaleuca (tea tree oil)
The leaves of the melaleuca tree have been used for centuries, and is known for its purifying properties. It can be used to cleanse and purify the skin and nails, and to support a healthy complexion. This oil truly has limitless uses!
SAY GOODBYE TO RAZOR BURN! Apply after shaving to prevent any skin irritation. You can also mix melaleuca with a bottle of fractionated coconut oil for a great facial moisturizer. Consider also mixing it with lavender or frankincense essential oils for added benefit.
ADD “OOMPH” TO YOUR LOTION. Help soothe your skin by placing one drop of melaleuca essential oil in your moisturizer during your morning and night time skin routine. You can also apply to skin blemishes as part of a daily cleansing regime.
AN ATHLETE’S BEST FRIEND. Historically, melaleuca oil was used as a cleanser for the face and to deal with periodic skin and toenail challenges. Apply to fingernails and toenails after showering to purify and keep nails looking healthy. Especially if you are also showering, swimming or exercising in public, high traffic areas.
HEALTHY, HAPPY YOU. Massage onto the bottoms of feet and the chest area to promote overall health, especially during the winter. For occasional skin irritations, apply melaleuca directly to the skin or dilute with a drop of fractionated coconut oil.
Peppermint Oil
While peppermint oil is typically noted for its high menthol content and is great to use internally, or to simply freshen your breath—it also helps alleviate occasional stomach upset and promotes healthy respiratory function, it also has great benefits when applied topically.
BUGS AWAY! Peppermint oil repels bugs naturally. Simply mix a few drops of oil with water in an amber glass spray bottle and use all over to keep bugs off.
A HOT FEET FIX. Add peppermint oil to a cold compress and cool down your overworked feet.
BREAK AWAY FROM SUMMER HEAT. Keep a spray bottle of water with a few drops of peppermint essential oil nearby, especially when you really need to cool down!
TAKE A DEEP BREATH. Add a drop of peppermint to the palm of your hands, warm up the oil by rubbing hands together and inhale deeply to help clear stuffiness, invigorate lungs, and increase alertness.
Helichrysum Essential Oil
An oil that is highly valued and sought after for its many health benefits. Helichrysum is best known for its restorative properties to the skin. Helichrysum can help reduce the appearance of blemishes, and it promotes a glowing, youthful complexion.
ZAP THAT ZIT! Apply topically to reduce the appearance of blemishes.
GLOW ON. Apply to the face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to promote a glowing, youthful complexion. Add one to two drops to the desired area. Dilute with coconut oil to minimize any skin sensitivity.
More Inspiration: Check out the top 5 essential oils for moms!
Authors: Valeria Nova and Lori Fabrizio are hair and makeup artists with a passion for unforgettable makeovers and making women feel gorgeous. With over 10 years of professional experience, Val and Lori teamed up in 2010 to create Two Chicks and Some Lipstick to share their love of makeup with women who want to be confident and feel beautiful.