A beautiful skin speaks volumes about how you take care of yourself.  A skin that is healthy is glowing, vibrant and young-looking, and in order to possess this asset, it is important to make the right choices as to which foods to eat, which lifestyle to live, and which products to use.  The age-old saying “you are what you eat” is true.  But aside from what is taken internally, external supplementation is just as important. 

A lot of products – commercially-prepared creams, toners, moisturizers – claim to work wonders on the skin. Sadly, these products may contain harsh ingredients and chemicals that can actually do more harm than good. The good news is that, there are natural oils that can give you the skin you have always wanted – oils that are intended for your skin type. Is your skin dry or oily? Are you having problems with acne? Below are essential oils best suited for your skin.

For Oily Skin

Cypress

The tree and shrub of the family Cupressaceae, or cypress, has many uses.  For medicinal uses, the essential oil of the cypress plant is effective not just for hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, rheumatism and varicose veins, but it is also useful for those with excessive perspiration as well as those with oily skin.  Some findings have shown that using a preparation with cypress oil and distilled water can actually balance the oily skin and prevent acne, through its astringent property.  It has also shown to be effective in promoting cellular regeneration, thus, promoting refinement of skin.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a cross between spearmint and water mint.  Because of its menthol content, it has a long tradition of medicinal use.  The peppermint oil is usually added in soaps and shampoo; this gives a cooling sensation to the skin.  For those with dull skin, peppermint provides nourishment. For those with oily skin, the essential oil of peppermint can actually control the skin’s production of sebum by closing or tightening the pores.

Lavender

It turns out that, not only is lavender appreciated for its fragrance, but it is also valued for its ability to control oily skin. The flowering plant Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula officinalis is highly regarded for the essential oil that is extracted from its flowers. Some findings show that lavender has anti-androgenic effect that decreases the production of oils in the body which causes oily skin.

Sage

There are several species of the sage family. But the common sage is Salvia officinalis.  Common sage is not just being used in cooking; it is also widely used in herbal medicine.  Several findings have shown that sage when used in some concoctions for daily skin regimen is effective as an astringent.  When used as properly, it can make the skin soft and smooth, thereby eliminating its oiliness.

Lemon

The lemon fruit is not only used for cooking; it has also shown non-culinary benefits.  Lemon is a small evergreen tree that produces fruits of high nutritional value.  However, its use goes beyond the kitchen.  Some people use lemon as an insecticide, or as an electrical conductor or as a cleaner. It is also used in aromatherapy, and its juice is being used now to solve problems of oily skin.  Freshly squeezed lemon is powerful as it can be used as an astringent.  Some practices add lemon juice to a concoction of ripe papaya pulp and turmeric powder. If this is applied evenly to an oily skin regularly, it can help control the pores’ production of oil or sebum.

For Dry Skin or Skin with Acne

Geranium

Geranium is known to some as cranesbills because of its appearance. The essential oil from geranium that is used for medicinal purposes is from the specie Pelargonium graveolens. Geranium’s medicinal uses have been known to be for its astringent factor.  Some findings have shown that geranium’s essential oil can boost the circulation in the skin, therefore it invigorates the skin.  It also helps in balancing the sebum production of the skin; thereby helping in controlling acne as well as dry skin. Several products are already available in the market that contains geranium as an ingredient for the purposes mentioned above.

Chamomile

Those small daisy-like plants are called chamomile. Several people use chamomile as tea, others use them to reduce physical and mental stress. But several people are also using the essential oil of chamomile as part of the ingredients for products that control dry skin and acne.  For acne control, fresh chamomile is allowed to dry for several days.  The dried flowers are then made to boil with water. The concoction is then used to wash the face, using mild soap. There are evidences showing that this mixture has actually decreased acne occurrence.

Rosewood

The rosewood essential oil from the tree of the family Lauraceae is the one used for aromatherapy. Several soap and fragrances are laced with rosewood to give that rich floral aroma.  When used on the skin, rosewood has shown to stimulate the growth of skin cells and therefore regenerate tissues.  Aside from that, it is also valuable for those with facial lines and wrinkles. Those with oily and dry skin can benefit from the essential oil of rosewood as it helps in balancing the sebum production of the skin. Moreover, rosewood is useful in controlling skin acnes.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a fragrant wood of the trees of the genus Santalum. The essential oil of this sweet, wood scent is used in many ways.  Aside from being added as an ingredient in soaps and perfumes, powder with sandalwood oil is widely used as it can help in reducing tendencies of dry skin. If sandalwood powder is mixed with milk to make a thick paste and applied to the face and neck, there is an observable reduction of dry skin.  Aside from that, it can also help promote smoother skin, especially when mixed with coconut oil.

Eucalyptus

This flowering tree of the myrtle family does not just give off powerful aroma; it is also helpful for those who have acne problems. The essential oil of eucalyptus is extracted from its leaves.  The oil has proven to solve dry skin as evidenced by skins which are less flaky and itchy. When eucalyptus oil is added to mineral oil and used regularly, it has shown to eliminate acne on the face.

Sources
naturalnews.com
ezinearticles.com
puredestiny.com
organicfacts.net
ehow.com
healthy-skincare.com
livestrong.com
acne.org
ehow.com
magazine.ayurvediccure.com
en.wikipedia.org
hort.purdue.edu
dermaxime.com
livestrong.com
naturesgift.com
ezinearticles.com
drgranny.com
ehow.com
ehow.com