We often hear of essential oils being used as aromatherapy treatments, and in room diffusers to ward off stale odors in our environments.

But, have you ever considered using essential oils to moisturize your skin?  If you take a holistic approach to skin care, you’ll find that essential oils are greatly appreciated and highly favored in black skin care regimens.

What’s your skin type and how do you care for it?

Before you begin any skin care regimen, especially with essential oils, you’ll need to know your skin type, in order to get the best results.

Normal skin – If you feel that your skin is normal, congratulations.  That means that your skin is well balanced, well hydrated and not one pimple has popped up on your face in the past 60 days.

Seriously, Normal skin types typically will not reveal any traces of oil.  Your level of elasticity will be tight, supple and you will not see any sagging jowls.  Your skin will look and feel vibrant.

Normal skin looks clean and smooth and you will be able to see that you have great circulation because of the flawless appearance of your skin.

What ‘essential oils’ (not fragrance oils) should you consider when caring for normal skin?  I recommend the classics … Roman Chamomile, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Neroli.  Your skin will thank you for the introduction.

Oily Skin – Oily skin gets a bad rap most of the time.  Is it problematic? It can be.  Typically oily skin will look greasy and shiny.  It also has a tendency to break out in acne.

How do you know if you’ve got oily skin?  You can take the blot test. When you get up in the morning, take a clean facial tissue and wipe your face.  If when you wipe your forehead, cheeks or nose you find more oil than the rest of your face, you could be challenged with oily skin.

I like to have you press the facial tissue on your face, this way you’re not pulling and stretching your skin.  If when you remove the tissue, you have facial oil that corresponds with areas of your cheeks, nose and forehead … you’ve got challenges with oily skin.

As women of color, it’s often assumed that you automatically have oily skin.  This is not necessarily the case with your skin.

One good thing about oily skin is that as you mature, you are not prone to aging and wrinkles.  But understand that nutrition plays a great role in the condition of your skin as well.

What essential oils should you consider when caring for Oily Skin?  I recommend Geranium, Bergamot, Lavender, Lemongrass and Rosemary.

Dry Skin – Can women of color actually have dry skin?  Of course you can!  High salt intake, sugar, carbonated sodas, smoking, alcohol, caffeine and a lack of water not only causes dehydration in your body but these habits give your skin a dull dry ashy appearance.

Nutrition and a natural mask with essential oils will help in bringing moisture back into your skin.

What essential oils should you consider for Dry Skin? I recommend Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Jasmine, and Orange.  A honey masque is also a wonderful treatment for dry skin.

Conditions of the Skin

Acne is a condition of your skin.  It’s often lumped with oily skin.  Acne can occur in teens and adults.  It typically flares up when your hormones are in flux.

Some professionals say that acne is not caused by what you eat but at the same time when you have a clean healthy diet, your skin will have a tendency to look better.

I’ve participated in test groups that have changed the way we ate because of hormones and adult acne.  I observed a great difference in my skin, my energy level and definitely found balance in my hormones (no hot flashes).

A good skin care regimen should always be part of your daily activity.  But with acne challenged skin it should always remain at the top of your list of daily activities.

What essential oils are recommended for acne?  I have found these to bring results to acne challenged skin: Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Immortelle, Lemon Verbena and Bergamot.

How To Use Essential Oils In Skin Care

• You can add a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath, after you’ve filled your tub, just before you’re about to step in and treat your entire body.

• Add drops of essential oils to Jojoba, Olive or Coconut oils and create your own body/massage oil.

• If you absolutely feel the need to pop a pimple, a facial steam is a great way to soften your skin for blackhead removal.  Hold your head over a stainless steel bowl filled with steaming hot water.  Cover it with a towel for about 15 minutes (come up for air if necessary) and your skin is ready for extractions.  Adding lavender essential oil will help with preparing your skin for the treatment.

CAUTION:  When working with essential oils, always use what’s known as carrier oils to dilute the essential oil when applying them to your skin.  Essential oils are highly concentrated and can bring trauma to your skin when not respected and worked with properly.

Some great carrier oils are jojoba, olive, almond and coconut oils.

Finally …

I’ve only scratched the surface with what essential oils can do to give you moisture rich skin.  There’s more to come.

Share this article with a friend, they’ll thank you for it.

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care