The human body consists of different organs that serve different functions, one of such organs is the skin. The skin is the largest single organ of the body, it mainly serves as a protective covering for the body.
Functionally, the skin is known for sensation, protection and regulation. However, the skin is also a very important aesthetic part of the body. A good and healthy skin is directly proportional to a beautiful body. Proper care of the skin is therefore very important to ensure these.
What are essential oils?
These are widely known as volatile oils or basically oils of the plant from which they are extracted. Due to their numerous benefits, these oils are often times used as a type of treatment in alternative medicine such as Ayurveda or Pachamama to enhance health and wellness. The oils are extracted from their plant sources either through distillation or cold compress method, thereby retaining the scent and flavour of their parent plant. As with the effects of different elements of Ayurveda on the body types, essential oils can also be said to be specific to different skin types; some more beneficial for oily skin and others for dry skin.
The most common mode of usage of essential oils is through direct application to the skin. However, there are other modes by which they can be applied, some of which are by inhaling the oil, or application with other medium sources.
Benefits of essential oils to the skin
There are well over 50 known essential oils which are widely used for various beneficial purposes to the body at large. These associated benefits are widespread throughout the whole body. General effects of essential oils on the body includes stimulation of the limbic system, emotional relaxation and many more.
However, more specifically, the use of essential oils has been shown to have direct effects on the skin as it is mostly applied through this medium. This can be associated to the fact that absorption of these oils components is faster when applied directly on the skin, thereby causing a faster reaction. Benefits of essential oils on the skin include;
Reduction of inflammation
There are a number of essential oils which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. As such, the use of these specific oils on the skin will effectively reduce the occurrence of inflammation on the skin.
Maintenance of a healthy-looking skin
Most essential oils have antibacterial properties, this is very effective in preventing the occurrence of skin irritation. When applied on the skin, these properties act as a form of protection against foreign substances which could irritate the skin. By doing this, it helps to maintain a healthy skin type.
Maintenance of skin elasticity
Proper application of these oils on the skin helps in preserving the normal elasticity rate of the skin. This is very important in preventing early aging of an individual. Specific essential oils for dry skin also helps to prevent the formation of wrinkles on the skin, leaving the skin soft and supple at all times.
Specific essential oils that are good for the skin
There are over 50 known essential oils that are used for the body, each one of them providing the body with one benefit or the other. Some of these essential oils are;
Tea tree oil
This oil is commonly used by individuals who tend to have inflammation of the skin or acne formations on their skin. The tea tree oil is gotten from the melaleuca tree and is known to possess a strong amount of antibacterial properties, hence its use in the management of acne.
Lavender oil
This oil is a popularly known multipurpose oil. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight against the occurrence of inflammation on the skin. The oil is also very much useful in oiling dry skin, leaving it more soft and supple.
Rosemary oil
The rosemary oil is known for its multiple properties which include anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This makes it a popular choice for use in individuals. Its use can help to reduce pain in desired body parts. Some individuals also use this oil as a source of hair growth stimulator.
Myrrh oil
This oil is an ancient essential oil that was popular even among the Egyptian women of old. It is used as an anti- aging oil. Use of this oil has been said to help maintain the elasticity of the skin, supplementing the collagen formation in the skin. By doing this, there is an obvious reduction in the rate of formation of wrinkles in the skin, thereby increasing the aging time of the individual.
Carrot seed oil
This is a very effective means of maintaining a youthful and healthy appearance to the skin. It does this by increasing the aging process of the skin. The effects of sunburns, which is a very popular skin condition can also be reduced through the application of the carrot seed oil. It also helps to decrease the formation of scar wounds on the skin.
Conclusion
There are many other essential oils with numerous benefits to the skin and the body at large. Hence, proper selection of the specific oil to be used must be taken into consideration. The purity of the oils is also a great determinant as to how effective it would be on the skin and this is closely associated with the type of carrier oil it is used with.