ESSENTIAL HIGHS
Cast aside your preconceptions – the latest breed of aromatherapy products can sort your skin as well as your head…
IN A NUTSHELL, aromatherapy is the science of essential oils (the essence of a plant) but it’s not until you crack open that sweetly scented nut that you realise just how techie the art of aromatherapy is. In fact, in Europe it’s taken so seriously that doctors prescribe tinctures to be taken internally as well as externally. In the UK, it’s long been shoehorned into the ‘alternative therapy’ camp. However, with mental wellbeing on everyone’s radar and a recent influx of clinical studies showing how aromatherapy affects the chemicals in our brain, if you want sweeter sleep, peace of mind and better brain power, getting high on essential oils might be the answer.
BREATHE DEEP
Think aromatherapy and you think of diffusers, candles and oil burners, but now ‘inhalable wellness’ (as the Americans call it) is getting a modern makeover. Brands such as Monq have introduced therapeutic pipes that allow you to breathe in essential oil blends, while Neom has just launched a super-chic ‘ Wellbeing Pod’. A far cry from an artificially-scented plug-in that clogs the air and your lungs, the 100% natural essential-oil blends puff out of the pod to deliver aromas that will lift your energy, calm you down or help you sleep.
MOOD MAKERS
The synergy between these botanical blends and mood is why fast aromatherapy fixes, such as rollerballs, are coming thick and fast. Apply them to pressure points on your temples, wrists and heels, or chakras, such as your heart or third eye (centre of the forehead) when you’re feeling stressed or need a burst of inspiration, and you might not need that mid-afternoon macchiato. And, just like a caffeine hit, the pay-off from these plant extracts is instantaneous. ‘ The molecules that essential oils are made up of can go straight through the dermis and into the blood stream,’ says Sian Jones, an aromatherapist who co-created the Balance Me range and has just helped develop high-end artisan aromatherapy brand, Slow Ageing Essentials.
COMPLEXION CALMERS
Aromatherapy offers beauty benefits as well. ‘Essential oils contain many incredible antioxidants, which means they have a fantastic anti-inflammatory effect,’
continues Sian. ‘ They can offset off the oxidative damage caused by b things such as pollution, and prevent preve collagen and elastin breakdown, as a well as reduce inflammation in the skin.’ sk They’re also naturally antimicrobial, antim so protect against breakouts, and a because they increase circulation, they can bestow glowier skin.
Apply with a light massage technique to bring out the best in them. ‘Anything that increases heat on the skin increases absorption, plus the relaxing effects of massaging products in helps kick-start cellular repair,’ says Lisa Gwilliam, a Neal’s Yard Remedy aromatherapist.
SAFE AND SOUND
‘Products can be termed aromatherapy with just the smallest addition of oil but it needs to be a high therapeutic grade,’ says skincare specialist, Antonia Burrell. ‘ There can be a lot of adulteration in the industry, and if a product is too cheap, it’s probably not that good.’ You can check out a company’s reputation via the Aromatherapy Trade Council or IFRA (International Fragrance Association).
Consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto also advises checking for ‘parfum’ or additional fragrances that have been added as it’s these agents that can cause allergies and irritation to sensitive skins rather than the essential oils themselves.
Diluting oils in the right way is paramount too, and always do a patch test to check for skin’s reaction. As a rule, it tends to be a 1% to 2.5% dilution for the face and up to 5% for the body where skin is less sensitive. According to Jo Kellett, Tisserand’s essential oil expert, this translates as one drop of essential oil to every 5ml of base oil, but if you’re worried, opt for a pre-mixed blend or book in at Neal’s Yard Remedies, where you can unleash your inner aromatherapist with the guidance of a pro.