The Complete Essential Oils Sourcebook: A Practical Approach to the Use of Essential Oils for Health and Well-Being. Julia Lawless
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APRICOT KERNEL
AVOCADO
Oils derived from fruits are nourishing and beneficial to the skin in many ways. Research has shown that they encourage the formation of fresh cells.
Once a week
BEAUTY, ESPECIALLY SKIN- and hair-care, is central to the practice of aromatherapy. But while receiving a full body massage from a professional aromatherapist or having an aromatic facial in a beauty clinic is certainly a treat, it is not essential for maintaining a clear and healthy complexion. Many aromatic recipes are simple to make, and regular treatment can easily be carried out at home.
Facial oils
Facial oils are made up in the same way as general massage or body oils, except that the base or carrier oil, as well as the essential oils, can be adapted to the type of skin which is to be treated. Suitable carrier oils include avocado, olive, wheat germ, hazelnut, apricot kernel, peach kernel, borage seed, carrot, and evening primrose, as well as the more basic carrier oils such as sweet almond, grapeseed, jojoba, or sunflower oil. Apart from nourishing and toning the skin, facial oils can also be used for facial massage and local self-massage.
Facial oil recipe
Mix two parts of a basic carrier oil and one part of a specific carrier oil suited to the skin type, with 0.5 to 1 percent of an essential oil (or a blend of oils).
| Base Oil | Percentage | Drops |
| 1 tsp/5ml | 0.5–1% | 1 |
| 1 tbsp/15ml | 0.5–1% | 1–3 |
| 1fl oz/25ml | 0.5–1% | 3–5 |
| 2fl oz/50ml | 0.5–1% | 5–10 |
| 3½fl oz/100ml | 0.5–1% | 10–20 |
Tapioca gel recipe
Use 3½fl oz/100ml water to 1½ tsp/7.5ml tapioca. Mix and simmer until the tapioca is dissolved. Strain off the liquid and let it cool to form a transparent gel. Stir in a few drops of essential oil just before it sets.
Facial creams
An aromatic facial cream should moisturize, heal, and nourish the skin, trapping the moisture in, but also letting the skin breathe. To make up a basic cream at home, use the instructions here, based on what is traditionally known as Galen’s cold cream recipe.
Apart from nourishing and toning the skin, facial oils can be used for massage.
GRAPES
AVOCADO
HAZELNUTS
Making your own beauty treatment oils and creams enables you to choose ingredients best suited to your skin, and a fragrance to your liking.
Cold cream recipe
Ingredients
4fl oz/120ml almond oil
BEESWAX
1 Put the beeswax beads into a toughened glass bowl and pour in the almond oil.
2 Place the bowl in a pan of water over a gentle heat, and mix until the ingredients are melted together.
3 Warm the rose water in a second bowl or jar, and then add to the wax and oil mixture bit by bit, beating all the time.
4 Finally, stir in the essential oil, transfer the mixture to a pot, and put into the refrigerator to set.
Gels
Water-based gels provide a useful, nonoily medium for the application of essential oils, as an alternative to oils and creams when required. A gel can be used to dilute any essential oils for irritating skin conditions such as eczema or athlete’s foot, particularly if the skin is broken or sensitive. Gels are also suitable as a substitute for base or carrier oils for general skin care, especially if the skin is apt to be greasy. The percentage of essential oil to add to the gel base depends