TO EACH THEIR OIL
Incorporate specific essential oils into your daily skin- or body-care regimen if you have the following concerns:
+ Regulating combination or oily skin
Mix ylang-ylang oil into your skin-care product or to a base oil, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, for smooth, bright skin. See the first signs of a pimple? Opt for tea tree oil as its disinfectant properties can help to reduce the inflammation and keep the pimple from erupting. Use a very small amount on a cotton swab and apply sparingly to the problem area as a spot treatment.
+ Nourishing dry skin
Does your skin need a hit of moisture? Add geranium oil to a base oil to help your skin cells regenerate. To prepare an effective homemade treatment, put 12 drops of the essential oil into 30 ml of argan oil, and apply a small amount to skin daily.
+ Treating sensitive skin
Lavender essential oil can be very soothing on sensitive skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties—dilute a few drops in about 30 ml of jojoba oil.
+ Fighting wrinkles
Mix a couple drops of helichrysum (a.k.a. immortal flower) oil with some argan oil for the perfect anti-aging cocktail!
+ Preventing dull hair
Ylang-ylang essential oil revitalizes the hairs’ capillary fibres, stimulates the scalp’s sebum production and brings a softness and shine to your locks. The formula: Add one to three drops of ylang-ylang essential oil to your shampoo, or apply it in mask form, diluted in argan oil (which nourishes dry, damaged hair) or jojoba oil (which regulates oily hair).
+ Reinforcing brittle nails
Lemon essential oil is key to help solidify, whiten, and eliminate spots. Massage the nail and the cuticle with two drops lemon oil mixed with four drops argan oil. (Tip: do this before bed for an intensely hydrating overnight treatment).
+ Firming your figure
Geranium essential oil restores firmness and elasticity to the skin, while cypress oil helps remove toxins, activates blood circulation and facilitates drainage, which means it can reduce the appearance of cellulite.