Essential oils are loved by many, especially those looking to live healthy nature-based lifestyles. It is not hard to see why. These oils, derived from plant essence, are diverse and have tons of amazing benefits. Their benefits make them highly useful in hair and skin care. In this article, we consider five(5) of these oils and how to incorporate them into your hair and skin care routine.
5 Essential Oils You Should Incorporate in Your Hair and Skin Care
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Tea tree
- Ylang ylang
- Lavender essential oil
Beside its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that improve scalp health, lavender helps to foster cell growth, thus resulting in hair growth. While there are several ways to use this, one effective method is to mix it in a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or almond oil and work in the mix in scalp massages a few times a week.
Lavender’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a great addition to your skincare regimen. You can add a few drops to your moisturiser. Alternatively, you can make your DIY on-the-spot treatment for discoloration and irritation by mixing 2-3 lavender drops with 5 tbsps of aloe vera gel. Apply this mix on affected areas and leave for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash off. This can be done once a day until results are achieved.
- Peppermint oil
Known for the tingling sensation felt after its application, peppermint oil helps to stimulate blood flow, encouraging hair growth. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil to your scalp massage oil mix or to your shampoo for its antiseptic benefits.
Peppermint oil soothes inflammation and irritation caused by acne. A recipe is to mix 5 drops of peppermint oil, 2 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 1 tablespoon of tamanu oil. Dab the mixture directly on pimples and leave overnight. To heal sunburn, apply a mixture of peppermint oil with aloe vera gel (15 drops of the essential oil to two ounces of gel).
- Rosemary
This essential oil also promotes cell generation. It combines with its other scalp health properties to promote hair growth. To see an increase in hair length and volume over time, you can mix 2-3 drops of rosemary oil with 2 tablespoons of any carrier oil. Apply the mixture to your scalp and leave it in for 10 minutes, then wash off with shampoo. This can be done a few times a week for straight hair or once a week for curly hair.
For skin, rosemary is still liquid treasure. Its oxidative properties can boost skin health. Apply a rosemary (5-6 drops) – aloe vera gel (1 tablespoon) mix on your face for 15 minutes and wash off.
- Tea tree
The essential oil from tea tree is power-packed with antimicrobial, antibacterial, and cleansing properties. Little wonder tea tree oil is a common ingredient in anti-dandruff products, as this 2015 review shows. For improved scalp health and hair growth, put in a few drops of tea tree, lavender, and rosemary oils into an oil mix with almond oil and grapeseed oil. Use this mix for daily scalp massages.
In skin care, tea tree oil helps with acne control. Add 5 drops with a tablespoon of honey to make a mask and apply on your face. Wash the mask off after 20 minutes. Do this daily for optimum results.
- Ylang ylang
Ylang-ylang is fortified with antioxidants that combat ageing through a renewal process that involves the restoration of skin proteins and lipids. You can include a few drops in your face serum or moisturiser, or make a night mask with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil, applying it on your face, neck and shoulders and leaving it online.
To promote hair growth, prepare a pre-poo mixture with 5 drops of ylang-ylang and 2 tablespoons of any warm carrier oil. Work the mixture into your scalp, applying any excess on your strands and wrap your hair with a warm towel or steam cap. Leave this on for 30 minutes and wash.
Wrapping Up
There are numerous essential oils in existence and they all have varying uses. You, however, don’t have to use all the essential oils in the world. Incorporating even a few effective ones such as those in this article, and using them properly would ensure that your skin and hair care improves significantly.