More and more we are seeing the shift towards pure and natural skin and personal care products.

After years of talking about what we put in our bodies as being critical to how we look and feel, studies and science are indicating that what we put ON our bodies is equally as important.

Switching from traditional cleansers, makeup, and personal care products not only makes sense for your body, but it also makes sense for the environment. When we partner with natural products such as essential oils, we are taking a stand for our personal health, and challenging what the chemical companies have invented over the past 70+ years.

It’s better to make your own skincare products and buy only approved cosmetics.

Chemical toxicity in our daily lives is a normal fact these days. From the air we breathe to the rugs we walk on, to the synthetic fibers we wear, we are surrounded by chemicals all day long. This puts a lot of stress on our body’s system to consistently maintain homeostasis as now more than ever our organs are asked to filter and detox on a higher rate than ever before in recorded history.

When our body is continually challenged to detox us from heavy metals and chemicals, we are at risk for hormonal disruption, cellular defects, serious disease, and reproduction challenges.

In the past, I have subscribed to the commercial beauty and fragrance market, purchasing expensive creams and lotions over the years. Once I started to look deeper into the story behind the products, was I shocked to learn how many chemicals I was blindly introducing into and onto my body every day. This is through personal care products and cosmetics. Now, for anyone who wears any form of makeup like I do, Dr. Joseph Mercola’s studies concluded that the average woman who wears makeup on a daily basis absorbs nearly 5 lbs of make-up chemicals every year. Five pounds!!

The Environmental Working Group research concluded that women use up to 12 personal care products a day, thus coming in contact with 168 unique chemical ingredients, and men use 5, thereby coming into contact with over 80 unique chemical ingredients. Furthermore, they noted that there is little to no regulation by the FDA in terms of cosmetic and personal care products. The European Union has banned over 1000 chemicals from being used in personal care products produced in Europe. The FDA in America has banned only 8!

With this kind of information in my hands, I made the choice to ditch everything and either make my own products or only buy approved safe products. At the moment of writing, I now make my own face serum, body lotion, lip balm, and face mask. I use natural approved ingredients and essential oils, exercising the power of Mother Nature at her most potent and pure value whenever I can.

Important things to know about using essential oils in your skin care products:

Using essential oils are a safe support for the skin, which is our largest organ. They are do not contain preservative chemicals or harsh ingredients. Essential oils are also multi-purpose which makes them really smart to have on hand in your life. They are also very powerful and concentrated. One drop may be all you need, remember –  a little goes a long way!

It is important to know that essential oils are “oily” or “greasy”.  They do not clog the pores or cause breakouts. Certain oil such as Melaleuca, Frankincense, Copaiba, and Cedarwood can even help clear blemishes.

Why is it important to change your personal care products to something more natural?

According to the Think Dirty app that rates products and their potential toxicity, there is a 10 out of 10 on the dirty scale for these following products

• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer
• Lotions
• Serums

How do we begin to become more natural with our skincare products?

First, we can begin to incorporate more natural products into our lives by using essential oils.  Be sure to purchase your natural skin products in makeup from companies that clearly label and are explicitly transparent and what ingredients are in each of their products.  Ask the salespeople if they use the product themselves. Look at how they’re skin is. Do your research on the ewg.org site – a wonderful resource to find information about all products and consumer warnings.

You can also add essential oils to your already existing natural beauty products.  Start with a drop diluted in a carrier oil and see how your skin responds.

Oils that soothe and calm the skin:

• Lavender
• Melaleuca
• Geranium

Oils that purify and nourish the skin:

• Frankincense
• Copaiba
• Sandalwood
• Myrrh
• Blue tansy
• Rose

Oils that comfort and cool the skin:

• Helichrysum
• Cypress
• Peppermint

Essential oils to support healthy skin

• After waxing: Apply lavender, geranium, or Roman chamomile.
• Blemishes:  Apply melaleuca neat directly to the blemish and then layer lavender neat on top.
• Circulatory support: Massage Cypress into the legs.
• Firming: Apply frankincense, copaiba, or myrrh essential oil.
• Healthy nail beds: Apply melaleuca or lavender, diluted.

Essential Oils to use – based on your skin type

• All Skin Types: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Roman Chamomile
• Dry Skin: Geranium, Helichrysum, Lavender, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Blue Tansey
• Oil Skin: Basil, Eucalyptus, Melissa
• Aging or Wrinkled Skin: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Myrrh, Sandalwood
• Sensitive Skin: Lavender, Roman Chamomile
• Blemish Prone Skin: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Melaleuca, Sandalwood

Carrier Oils to Use – based on your skin type

All Skin Types:

• Fractionated coconut oil (light feel)
• Hemp oil
• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil
• Apricot kernel oil

For dry, aging skin:

• Olive oil (heavier feel)
• Almond oil (heavier feel)

My Radiance Facial Serum – for all skin types

After a lot of experimenting, I have made a blend that works really well for my skin, which is normal most of the time, slightly more oily in the summer, and subject to dryness in the winter.

These are my favorite essential oils for skin care that I’ve incorporated into my face serum:

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Lavender works well with all skin types. It is highly nourishing and clarifying. The soothing property of lavender works well to lighten scars, bruises, and cuts. Lavender is also an astringent and anti-bacterial.

FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL

Frankincense has a long history of value and usage over time. It supports skin regeneration and clarity. It’s unique properties deliver a restorative action to the skin and it is anti-inflammatory. Frank is especially essential when combating dry, damaged and aging skin.

MYRRH ESSENTIAL OIL

Myrrh is recognized as an anti-aging oil; it is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial which supports clear skin. It nourishes fine lines and dry skin and is a great partner oil to use with Frankincense when applied to the skin.

BLUE TANSY ESSENTIAL OIL

Blue Tansy’s main constituent is Sabinene, which helps to diminish the appearance of blemishes. It is highly recognized for it’s skin-soothing benefits and easily identifiable by its inky, cobalt blue color.

GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL

Geranium has many hormonal supportive properties and is also good for detoxing and clarifying the skin. It promotes healthy and clear skin, with a long history of value towards its properties. Ancient Egyptians used Geranium to beautify the skin, and the edible leaves are commonly used as a decoration for food, which dates back to Victorian times. Geranium has a smoothing capacity that works well on all skin types.

COPAIBA ESSENTIAL OIL

Copaiba is an exceptional oil because of its many uses that address inflammation in the body. When used on the skin, this resin distilled oil provides soothing support while keeping the skin clean and clear. The antioxidant value of this oil stops the cells from oxidation.

TURMERIC ESSENTIAL OIL

Turmeric is a powerful oil that is both anti-fungal and antiseptic. It supports reducing marks, scars, and keeping the skin clear from breakouts. Turmeric gives the skin a natural glow and brightens dark circles. The antioxidant value of Turmeric has also demonstrated improving skin elasticity.

My Radiance Facial Serum

I recycle my 15ml essential oil bottles whenever I have the chance. Alternatively, you can purchase a glass bottle with a dropper and adjust the recipe based on the bottle size. I love the 15ml size as it is perfect for travel as it is carry-on size friendly. Making in “small batches” also gives me an opportunity to change the recipe based on the season.

A 15ml essential oil glass bottle holds about 250 drops. I put this serum on my face twice a day, in the morning and at night. Roughly 8-10 drops per use. This means one bottle will last me about 12-14 days.

The Recipe – for 15 ml bottle

• 1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil (I use a Vitamin E oil that is blended with jojoba and rosehip oil, find a good variety you like)
• 8 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 8 drops of Frankincense essential oil
• 6 drops of Myrrh essential oil
• 6 drops Blue Tansy essential oil
• 6 drops Geranium essential oil
• 6 drops Copaiba essential oil
• 6 drops Tumeric essential oil
• Fill the rest with Fractionated Coconut Oil

Add all to 15ml essential oil bottle. Roll bottle in your hands to mix the oils. Apply to face, neck, and chest 2x per day. Store the oil in a cool place, avoid storing the bottle in direct sunlight.

For skin that is prone to breakouts, you can also add 6 drops of Cedarwood oil to this blend.

To learn more about the therapeutic essentials I use every day, visit here to learn about oils.

from my heart to yours,

Jen. xx