Your skin is your body’s biggest organ and is exposed to numerous damaging conditions every day. Dry skin can be a major problem and one that can bring about a lot of additional problems including itching, burning and flaking. Over time dry skin can lead to chronic wrinkling and inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and eczema. While the root cause of dry skin may be a variety of environmental and internal issues, choosing the right essential oils that help balance skin health can be a big help.
Some essential oils are both calming and gentle, helping to soothe irritated, inflamed skin. Some, like German Chamomile and lavender contain anti-inflammatory properties. The key to using essential oils successfully is to find the right one for your skin, in the right type of product. Maybe you’ll like the way oil feels on your body but not on your face, for example. Or maybe you don’t like the feeling of straight oil or serum, but you can find a lotion with extracts of essential oils. Experiment with different formulas until you find something that works for you.
In addition to relieving dry skin and the various symptoms associated with it, the aroma of essential oils helps to provide additional health benefits. Essential oils can help reduce anxiety, improve happiness, reduce stress, and more. Not only will you be giving yourself healthier skin, but could also be creating better overall health and well being. So what are the best essential oils to use to treat dry skin?
- Lavender – Lavender essential oil can soothe the body and mind and also provide nourishment to the skin to help replenish and hydrate it. Lavender oil is a traditional treatment for many skin conditions. It’s derived from lavender flowers and contains linalool and linalyl aldehyde, which are known for their anti-inflammatory agents and pain reducers. It provides plenty of aromatherapy benefits along with healthier skin.
- Sandalwood – Sandalwood oil is moisturizing and soothing, with anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties. Many people also use sandalwood oil for stress relief, adding a few drops to a hot bath to promote relaxation. Sandalwood oil isn’t recommended for pregnant women.
- Rose – Rose essential oil is not only wonderful smelling, it provides calming effects on the mind, AND helps promote better skin health. This essential oil reduces irritation and burning, and helps to moisturize the skin as well.
- Manuka oil – This essential oil has regenerative properties to help heal broken skin, and reduce inflammation and swelling associated with various skin conditions. Manuka oil is very similar to tea tree oil, but while tea tree can be toxic when taken orally in large doses, Manuka is not.
Before using essential oils, test a small amount on your skin to ensure you aren’t allergic or susceptible to any adverse reactions. If you believe you have something more severe than just dry skin, talk to your doctor about your condition and treatment methods before attempting the use of essential oils.