DIY face serum using essential oils
(Natural, easy, and effective. )
In last week’s blog, I wrote that what we put in our bodies is more important than what we put on our skin to create radiant, healthy-looking skin.
And that’s true… except… that what we put on our skin, gets into our bodies. So, it turns out that what we put on our skin is important!
YUP. What you PUT ON your skin gets INTO your bloodstream.
Think of how a nicotine patch works.
And not only what you put on your skin, what you SMELL gets INTO your bloodstream.
So every time you apply a cream, sun lotion, or spritz your perfume that is also getting into your bloodstream.
You are probably, like I was, unknowingly lathering and smothering yourself in a whole load of toxic chemicals. NICE.
But waaaait a hot second.
These products are advertised as a luxury, they promise radiant skin or anti-aging benefits, plus they are expensive. Yup, and it used to be considered safe, and even encouraged for pregnant women to smoke cigarettes.
My point being when something is unregulated (as the beauty industry is) something isn’t deemed a problem until it is a problem. It’s like innocent until proven guilty.
But we know that these chemicals are endocrine disruptors aka causing a hormonal hot mess.
- If you’ve gained weight and can’t lose it
- If your moods are all over the place
- If you get headaches
- If your skin is breaking out
These are all signs that your liver is overloaded with toxins that it can’t remove fast enough. Remove the toxicity you take away the issue.
The main ingredients to avoid are any products containing:
- Fragrances
- Parabens
- SLS
- Phthalates
It’s important not to just believe the marketing on the front of the label which might describe the product as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ but to turn it around and check the ingredients. Read this blog for more information about why to avoid these ingredients.
So what can you use instead?
Essential oils are like nectar to our skin. The plant compounds within the oils – pure plant wisdom – work synergistically with our skin to either cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate, or soothe.
Essential oils are extracted from pure, natural sources on the earth, which means they don’t contain synthetic fillers or toxins. Taken from plants, plant materials, and fruits, essential oils provide an effective way to care for the skin (as well as hair, teeth, and the rest of the body) because they are safe, natural, and pure.
However, there are essential oils, and there are essential oils. I only use doTERRA essential oils, as they are the highest quality essential oils available. This is because doTERRA controls the whole supply chain from seed to bottle to ensure that purity is top of the list. They also rigorously batch-test their oils before sale to triple-check that the oils are without any adulteration or contamination. Without this control, the essential oil supply chain is rife with adulteration. Most ‘pure’ essential oils on the market are already extended, diluted, or contaminated, which means you are not getting nature in that bottle but other mysterious, undesirable ingredients too.
That’s why even when a product is ‘natural and fragranced only with essential oils’ it is worth understanding what grade of essential oil they are. They’re most likely not going to compare to doTERRA’s grade.
Remember too, that the beauty of each essential oil is that they have side benefits. While you might initially use an essential oil to purify the skin, for example, the scent of the oil will linger throughout the day. Not only do essential oils provide a pleasant aroma, but some oils can promote invigorating, uplifting, calming, or relaxing feelings depending on their chemical structure.
DIY face serum recipe using essential oils
There are many essential oils that will benefit the look and feel of your skin.
1. Determine which skin type you have.
2. Choose a carrier oil as a base for your serum.
3 In a 30ml dropper bottle (like this). Add:
- 10 drops of Frankincense (supports the cellular health of the skin, suitable for all skin types).
- 10 drops of Lavender (soothing and calming to the skin, suitable for all skin types).
- 10 drops of Geranium (hydrating and anti-blemish, suitable for all skin types, particularly dry skin).
- Add 5 drops of additional essential oil specific for your skin type (e.g melaleuca for oily, or helichrysum for mature). NB avoid adding citrus oils to your skin during the Summer months as they are photosensitive.
- Top-up with your base oil of choice (see image above).
If you like the idea of creating your own skincare, which is effective, quick, and easy to make and saves you money, and requires less plastic you might be interested to join my Radiant Skin: from the inside out workshop on Thursday 1st July.
We have plenty more DIY recipes (like cleansers, toners, exfoliators, body recipes) plus radiant skin tips for you.
“Knowledge isn’t power, action is.” Tony Robbins
