Do you have sensitive skin? Are you susceptible to acne and rashes? Or are you simply sick of using harsh chemicals?
Speaking of the latter, harsh chemicals in cosmetics are not only harmful to our bodies, but also to the environment. In order to minimize the detrimental effects of toxic chemicals, some people are switching to essential oils.
Essential oils are extracts from plants that are used both in aromatherapy and for healing purposes. The essence of these plants are obtained by distillation or cold pressing. As a result, they are all natural.
Below we have elaborated on the benefits and uses of essential oils, as well as some of the homemade cosmetics that you can prepare yourself with these special oils. Get ready for the experience of your life!
Benefits of Essential Oils
Believe it or not, there are more than 90 types of essential oils, and all of them are useful for herbal remedies. The most popular essential oils right now are lavender, lemon, jasmine, tea tree, peppermint, sandalwood, rose, chamomile, Ylang Ylang, and bergamot.
1] Lavender Oil
Lavender oil can benefit your mood and temperament. It relieves stress and anxiety. It also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic features.
You can apply lavender oil on bug bites and small burns. Even people with depression and insomnia can find relief after using lavender oil.
2] Lemon Oil
Lemon oil is a cleansing oil. It is known for its ability to detox both physically and emotionally. It is rich in antioxidants and can be used to aid in cleansing the lymphatic organs, the skin, fight fungi and bacteria, and give vitality to the body.
3] Jasmine Oil
There are numerous benefits in using jasmine oil. It can act as a sedative if you have insomnia or when you’re just stressed out. It’s also great for helping with depression.
Further advantages of jasmine oil include the ability to heal scars, increase the production of milk in breastfeeding moms, reduce spasms and menstrual cramps, prevent infection, and act as a powerful aphrodisiac.
4] Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can fight inflammation, fungal infection, and bacterial and viral attacks. You can heal athlete’s foot, dermatitis, and acne by applying tea tree oil on the affected areas, and it can also be used to battle head lice.
5] Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is highly beneficial for indigestion, bloating, gastric problems, and other weight issues. It helps provide relief from migraines and headaches, which can ultimately improve concentration levels.
Its aroma benefits clean breath, and heals clogged sinuses and seasonal allergies. In addition, peppermint oil reduces menstrual cramps and bacterial infections. Furthermore, you will sleep better if peppermint oil is applied on your skin before bedtime.
6] Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil can calm the nerves and senses when applied on the skin. It is a powerful disinfectant, can reduce inflammation, and fight viruses.
Moreover, this oil will boost your sensuality and help maintain your youthfulness. Lastly, it clears mental blockages and solves cough problems.
7] Rose Oil
Rose oil has been known as a traditional product to improve skin texture, help you smell nice, and act as an effective aphrodisiac. What you didn’t know, however, is it also helps fight depression and inflammation, and treat wounds.
Additionally, it can cure different types of spasms, and protect against diseases and viruses. Because of its astringent properties, it can reduce wrinkles and maintain youthfulness. Finally, rose oil is your friend during PMS, for excessive bleeding, and for detoxifying the liver.
8] Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil also has a number of benefits. It relieves anxiety, depression, PMS problems, indigestion, heart problems, allergy, arthritic pain, and insomnia. Moreover, it is safe for children to use, and it may even help towards preventing cancer.
9] Ylang Ylang Oil
Ylang Ylang oil calms the nerves, acts as an active sedative, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, antiseborrheic, antiseptic, and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It also lowers blood pressure and balances the circulatory system.
10 Bergamot Oil
Bergamot oil is a natural perfume. Besides, it also helps with depression, balancing blood pressure, anxiety, pain, stress, infection, skin diseases, and digestion.
DIY Cosmetics with Essential Oils
Now you know about all the benefits of the main essential oils, you have an outline of what is best for you. Use the essential oil which is best suited to your health condition, so that you can get a natural remedy for those ailments. Now let’s get on with the DIYs!
1] DIY Essential Oil Body Soap
For one soap, you will need.
- 4 oz of soap base or bars.
- 4 oz of soap mold.
- 25 drops of any essential oil.
Microwave the shea butter soap base for thirty seconds after placing it inside a measuring cup. Stir, then heat it up again for ten more seconds. Add the essential oils and mesh them well.
Move the solution into the mold, and let them harden. Get the bar soap out of the mold, and you’re done!
2] DIY Essential Oil Body Wash
If you’re not into soaps, here are the ingredients you can use to prepare your own homemade body wash with essential oils.
- ½ cup of water.
- ½ cup of honey.
- ⅔ cup of liquid castile soap.
- 30 drops of any essential oil.
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil.
- 1 tablespoon of vitamin E.
Mix all the ingredients together. An electronic blender is highly recommended for the mixing process. Then store the concoction in a nice little bottle or a jar.
3] DIY Essential Oil Body Scrub
Body scrubs are really easy to prepare. You will need.
- ½ cup of sugar or salt.
- ¼ cup of honey or butter (optional).
- 2 tablespoons of any essential oil.
Pour all the ingredients into a small bowl and stir them until mixed evenly. Take a handful and slowly rub the mixture all over your body. To take relaxation levels up a notch, put on some soothing Zen music while using the body scrub.
Rinse well with water. If you’re using sugar, honey or butter, wash yourself off with some soap.
4] DIY Essential Oil Shampoo
It’s a relief to know you can make your own homemade, chemical-free shampoo from now on. To produce this amazing natural product, you will need.
- ¼ cup of coconut milk.
- ¼ cup of liquid castile soap.
- 20 drops of your desired essential oil.
- ½ tablespoon of olive oil or almond oil (optional).
Mix all the ingredients above in an empty shampoo bottle and shake well. Alternatively, put them in a bowl and stir. That’s it!
You can use this shampoo for as long as a month. Just ensure you shake it well before using.
5] DIY Essential Oil Dry Shampoo
For all those people who don’t get the time to wash their hair with shampoo, here is a DIY recipe to create your own essential oil dry shampoo at home.
The ingredients for this are.
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
- ¼ cup of cornstarch.
- 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder (for brunettes).
- 5 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Making this is also simple. Just mix all the ingredients using a blender, then massage it onto your scalp. Leave it on for about three minutes, then brush through your hair.
6] DIY Essential Oil Hair Conditioner
You can’t only shampoo your hair. You also need to apply conditioner.
Here are the ingredients for making a homemade essential oil hair conditioner.
- 1 cup of liquid castile soap.
- ½ cup of coconut milk.
- 10 drops of vitamin E.
- 10 drops of argan oil.
- 1 tablespoon of magnesium gel.
- 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
- 25 drops of any essential oil.
- 5 drops of carrot seed oil or raspberry seed oil (for dyed hair).
Mix the ingredients via shaking, or by using an electronic blender. And you’re done! You can store the conditioner in a bottle or jar.
7] DIY Essential Oil Heat Protectant Spray
Heat protectant sprays may protect your hair against heat from flat irons and blow dryers, but it can be damaging to your hair depending on what ingredients it contains. Instead of that potential risk, you can make your own DIY heat protectant spray with your favorite essential oils.
You will need.
- 1 cup of water.
- 1 teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil.
- 1 tablespoon of almond oil.
- 2 teaspoons of hair conditioner.
- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Pour everything into the blender and mix well. Use an empty spray bottle to evenly spray the mixture on your hair. Now style as you wish!
8] DIY Essential Oil Hair Wax
The ingredients for DIY essential oil hair wax are.
- 4 ½ teaspoons of coconut oil.
- 1 tablespoon of shea butter.
- 4 ½ teaspoons of beeswax.
- 20 drops of your favorite essential oils.
Pour the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax together into a container, and melt in the microwave or on the stove. Once done, give some time for the mixture to cool down.
Then add the special oils and stir. Store in your desired container, but don’t use it before two hours have passed.
9] DIY Essential Oil Hair Shaving Cream
In order to make your own hair shaving cream, use the following ingredients.
- ⅔ cup of coconut oil.
- ⅔ cup of shea butter.
- ¼ cup of grapeseed oil or olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
- 20 drops of any essential oil.
First of all, melt the shea butter. Mix it with the coconut oil and olive oil/grapeseed oil. Add the essential oils and blend them until perfectly mixed.
Afterwards, freeze the mixture in the refrigerator until it reaches a solid consistency. Now mix the solution with baking soda. Use an electronic mixer to create the foam.
10 DIY Essential Oil Body Lotion
You’ve obviously been waiting for this. Who doesn’t need body lotion?
Here are the ingredients to make your very own body lotion at home.
- ¼ cup of beeswax.
- ¼ cup of coconut oil.
- 1 teaspoon of vitamin E.
- A few drops of any essential oil.
First of all, you need to melt the beeswax and coconut oil in a bowl. You can use a microwave in this situation. Stir after twenty seconds, then heat the mixture for another ten seconds.
After that, add vitamin E and essential oils into the molten mixture. Mix them well, and you have your very own self-made lotion! Use whatever container you feel is suitable for storing the mixture.
11] DIY Essential Oil Body Butter
For those of you who want more coverage on your skin, lotions simply won’t do. This is especially the case during winter, where you need something thicker to give your skin the moisture it needs. That’s where body butter comes in.
Below is a list of ingredients you will need to prepare your own body butter at home.
- 1 cup of shea butter.
- 1 cup of oil base.
- 50 drops of any essential oil.
Melt the shea butter in a double boiler or microwave. Once it has cooled down, add the oil base and essential oil. Mix until smooth.
Store in the refrigerator for a while to produce a firmer mixture. Then stir again to get that butter-like texture. Now you can rub it onto your skin.
12] DIY Essential Oil Deodorant
Ingredients required to make your own essential oil deodorant are.
- ½ cup of baking soda.
- ½ cup of arrowroot powder.
- 5 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- 20 drops of you any essential oil.
Mix the ingredients using a blender, then pour them into a jar. Keep the jar air-tight.
You can use a popsicle stick to apply the deodorant on your armpits. The mixture will last for as long as six months.
13] DIY Essential Oil Body Spray
This is the easiest recipe out there. All you need.
- 4 oz of water.
- 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (which is optional).
- 30 drops of any essential oil.
Now mix them up in a spray bottle, and spray away!
14] DIY Essential Oil Foundation Powder
You will need.
- 2 tablespoon of cornstarch.
- 1 ½ tablespoon of cinnamon or cocoa powder or nutmeg.
- 5 drops of essential oil.
Mix them well in a container, and you can start using it immediately!
15] DIY Essential Oil Blush
For this, you will need.
- 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder.
- A pinch of cinnamon powder.
- 2 tablespoons of beet powder.
- 6 drops of essential oil.
Now all you have to do is mix them up in a container.
16] DIY Essential Oil Lipstick
Now, this is interesting. To make your own lipstick with essential oils, you will need the following ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon of shea butter.
- 1 teaspoon of beeswax.
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.
- ½ teaspoon of alkanet powder (for the color red).
- ½ teaspoon of cocoa powder (for the color cocoa).
- ½ teaspoon of pink clay (for the color pink).
- 3 drops of essential oil.
Melt the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil. Stir them during intervals of heating.
Add the colors and the essential oil. Stir the mixture well. Fill an empty lipstick tube with the mixture, and voila!
Conclusion
After reading this article, you probably feel like a professional when it comes to producing cosmetics. We don’t blame you. Remember – the best and the most exclusive perfumes are always handmade.
If you know how to make things at home using simple, organic ingredients, you never have to spend tons of cash for high-end products made from harmful chemicals.
You can also nurture your creative abilities when making these beautiful products, which are also remedial since they contain essential oils. That’s right: not only is it beneficial for your health, but it also gets those creative juices flowing – it’s the best of both worlds!
Before mixing your own, how cosmetics are actually made is worth understanding.
