9 Reasons You Should Use Essential Oils On Your Skin

March 01, 2021

For centuries, essential oils have been an incredible part of human healing, thanks to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Consequently, understanding the benefits of essential oils and their plant chemistry can help us reconnect with history, nature, and our bodies.

Naturally, we know our plant chemistry at L’Beauxtique—after all, our Evening Body Serum is made with a blend of eight pure essential oils and six potent botanicals, specifically formulated by an award-winning Clinical Aromatherapist to activate your “rest-and-digest” parasympathetic nervous system and hydrate your skin.

So, whatever you don’t know about essential oils, we probably do. And we’re here to answer all of your questions about essential oils and skin—from topical use to aromatherapeutic use, and their skin-loving benefits.

First things first, you must know: No matter your skin type, oils of different kinds help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and acne-free. Skin cleansing, while necessary to keep your skin free from debris and dirt, can strip the skin, leading to a dry, flaky face or even an overproduction of unwanted oils.

Plant-based oils can help with an overproduction of natural skin oils, too. It might seem counterintuitive to apply oil to oily skin, but that’s because there’s so many misconceptions about what your skin needs.

Moisture is the one true step towards skin health and healing. The delicate aromas of essential oils also promote clarity of thinking, relaxation, and luxurious living. Essential oils are derived from plants and extracted via different methods such as steam distillation or cold pressing.

How to use essential oils on your skin

First, be mindful that pure essential oils are potent and must be carefully diluted or measured when applied to skin, otherwise overusage can lead to side effects, like skin rashes.

But rest assured: There are endless options for carefully formulated products (like our beloved Evening Body Serum) you can safely apply to your skin and experience the full benefits of pure essential oils.

To use essential oils responsibly, we recommend consulting with a Certified Aromatherapist or investing in products that were formulated by a Certified Aromatherapist with safe ratios of essential oils to save you the research and risk. But, in general, here are some of the best essential oils for different skin conditions and the most common benefits of essential oils on skin.

9 benefits of essential oils on skin and how to use them the plant-based, eco-friendly way

1. Hydrate dry skin with plant-based oils

When it comes to plant-based oils, he most immediate benefit people tend to think of is intense rehydration—and they’re right! Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Chamomiles (such as German (Matricaria recutita) or Roman (Chamaemelum nobile), and Sandalwood (Santalum sp.) all have an affinity for dry skin, and when used in emollient products, like, can keep skin hydrated.

Essential oils should generally not be used undiluted, because they can cause skin irritation in high concentrations. But diluted with luxurious carrier oils, Vitamin E, and omega fatty acids (like those in our Evening Body Serum), they work wonders to hydrate dry skin. Nourishing plant-based skincare products keep your skin silky and soft.

2. Rebalance oily skin

Many essential oils are also perfect for oily skin. Not all oils are created alike—but when your skin is hydrated, it no longer needs to overproduce its own oils, actually allowing your skin to dry between treatments. Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Lemon (Citrus limon), and Geranium (Pelargonium sp.) are some of the best essential oils for calming oily skin.

3. Strengthen hair and promote healthy growth

Plant-based oils can help the skin on your entire body—and that includes your scalp and your hair! Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) can help with greasy hair and dandruff, and even promote hair growth. An additional product like Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) is great for hair because it can also help relieve a dry scalp and its associated dandruff.

4. Help your body to relax

The plant chemistry of essential oils pampers your skin while the therapeutic scents help you to relax and feel calm. The stress hormone cortisol can keep you from sleeping, impacting your skin in unfortunate ways. When we’re stressed for long periods of time, our skin becomes dull. That means that enjoying essential oils blends specifically formulated for stress and sleep, like our own Evening Body Serum, allow you to de-stress and get a good night’s sleep, helping your skin from within.

5. Pamper sensitive skin

Some skin is prone to reacting to harsh chemicals, or even stronger oils and fragrances. All hope is not lost—some essential oils and essences are soothing and delicate enough to help even the most temperamental skin types.

Essential oils like Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora syn. Aloysia triphylla) or Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), while a godsend for some skin types, can irritate sensitive skin. If you’re prone to reactions, try mild essential oils such as Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), or Sandalwood (Santalum sp.) instead.

6. Reduce microbials and inflammation

Skin health goes beyond just pampering. Plant-based ingredients and essential oils can treat inflammation and get rid of the microbials that wreak havoc and cause acne. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent essential oils such as Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), Geranium (Pelargonium sp.), Lemon (Citrus limon), or Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) are all perfect options for acne-prone skin.

7. Relieve pain and promote full-body healing

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), and Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) essential oils are associated with treating eczema or inflamed skin and can be used to reduce inflammation and pain.

8. Lessen pigmentation and embrace an even skin tone

Rosehip Seed oil (Rosa canina), Carrot Seed essential oil (Daucus carota), and Vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanioides) may help to reduce scarring and hyperpigmentation in the skin. Rose (Rosa damascena) does the same, while its aroma may also create emotional balance. Our Evening Body Serum is formulated with Rosehip Seed oil (Rosa canina) because it’s rich in Omegas 6 and 9 fatty acids, non-greasy and luxuriously moisturizing.

9. Soften the effects of age and build confidence

Hydration is at the core of any anti-aging protocol. It promotes supple, renewed skin, and fights wrinkles, uneven skin tones, and thin skin. Botanical oils like Rosehip Seed oil (Rosa canina), Olive oil (Olea europaea), and Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) contain vitamins and fatty acids to regenerate and maintain skin health and suppleness.

Our Evening Body Serum also contains fatty acids essential for battling the effects of age and keeping your entire body’s skin youthful and glowing.

The benefits of using essential oils for your skin are more than just topical

Essential oils aren’t just a powerhouse in plant-based, luxurious skincare: Their au naturel scents are so heavenly, they can be used for stress and sleep, inducing a calmer state by activating the “rest-and-digest” parasympathetic nervous system. And we all know stressing less and sleeping more is a godsend for skin health and radiance.

Light our Evening Aromatherapy Candle to experience the calming effect of essential oils for yourself, or blend your own essential oils in a diffuser for the skin-hydrating moisture. However you oil, start taking care of your skin the right way, using the power of plants.

If you love our essential oil recommendations for skincare, we know you’ll love our free Essential Guide to Nighttime Skincare.

ABOUT L’BEAUXTIQUE

If you haven’t met us yet, we’re L’Beauxtique. Founded by a Certified Professional Aromatherapist, and formulated by a Clinical Aromatherapist, our science-backed functional scents calm body, mind and soul—because twenty-first-century life doesn’t.