Why are they called essential oils, anyway? We’d like to say that oils like peppermint, lavender, or rose are considered “essential” because they keep us zen in times of chaos, but their origin is much more specific.
The true meaning of the name “essential” oil indicates how this oil is made: with the very essence of the plant from which it comes. It is this very aspect of potency, purity and concentration that makes these oils absolutely essential in natural skin care.
With products like roller serums, moisturizers and essential oils, we can deliver the powerful benefits of our favorite botanicals where our skin needs them most. Here’s why, where and how to apply 100% pure essential oils – plus a special featurette on our 5 favorites!
HOW to apply essential oils
The application of essential oils is both scientific and artistic. One of the most common questions we get about essential oils is: can you apply essential oils directly to the skin?
Diluted essential oils are safe for topical use, but undiluted – definitely not. Pure essential oils can burn or cause serious skin reactions, which is why our new anti-stress aromatherapy oil comes pre-mixed with carrier oils in a ready-to-use roll-on applicator.
When it comes to 100% pure essential oils, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the terms “diluted” and “undiluted.” Generally, we focus on the purity of our products; we highlight the active ingredients, the lack of fillers and their undiluted nature.
However, in terms of essential oils, it is actually imperative to dilute the essence to make the product usable – and we do not dilute the oil with unnecessary ingredients. Essential oils are diluted in carrier oils, like coconut oil or rosehip or jojoba seed oil – which on their own are great for the skin. In our case, diluting the oil doesn’t make it impure, but it does make it safe to use and just potent enough to be useful.
WHERE to apply essential oils
Where to apply essential oils? That’s the beautiful thing about essential oil rollers – they’re quick and easy to apply, and we can put the product just about anywhere! From head to our less than perfectly manicured toes, many areas of the skin benefit from the application of essential oils.
Pulse points and painful areas
The areas where we sense our pulse through the skin are usually quite sensitive, and the skin in these areas tends to be thinner. An active essential oil that stimulates, cools or warms is sensational in these areas.
Of the 9 pulse points, those we recommend for essential oil application are the ankles, inner wrists, inner elbows, neck, and temples. Imagine applying cooling peppermint oil to your ankles after a long run… ahalmost worth it.
Our anti-stress aromatherapy oil is ideal for relieving stress or tension headaches, with a few quick swipes on the temples and neck.
pressure points
What is the difference between a pressure point and a pulse point? A pulse point is where we will find our heartbeat, but a pressure point is a network of distinct points where sensation is greatest on the body. Pressure points are all over our body, with several on the head and hands that are perfect for applying the essential oils we’ll mention later.
PRO TIP: Consider applying your rollerball essential oil to the soles of your feet. Often used in Chinese medicine, the soles of your feet are a key absorption point that can quickly disperse the effects of your essential oil to other parts of the body.
Scalp
The skin on our scalp is unique in how it works, compared to the skin on the rest of our body. Scalp skin tends to be oilier, drier and more stressed by regular grooming. Fortunately, essential oils applied to the scalp can help balance, soothe, and relieve scalp issues for better scalp function. Below we will identify which essential oils are best for the scalp!
Cuticles
It seems that our scalp, feet and hands are always in competition for the driest part of the body – this is especially true for our hardworking cuticles. The thin skin around our nails suffers with every hand wash or spray of sanitizer, which makes an essential oil roller with nourishing nail nutrients an amazing way to keep skin supple and soothed.
Dry / irritated areas
Do you have areas of skin that suffer from recurring irritation or dryness? This can mean eczema (very common on the elbows and knees) or possibly a rash or sunburn (typical of the shoulders and neck). 100% PURE essential beads on these areas can help relieve itching, burning, flaking and dryness.
5 beneficial essential oils to try
Now onto our favorite part of this article: our favorite essential oils! The benefits of essential oils will depend on the type of oil we use. We’ll list our favorites below – the ones we consider to be most beneficial for the mind and body – along with the best places to apply them.
Peppermint Oil
This refreshing mint oil is the key ingredient in our anti-stress aromatherapy oil. This oil stimulates blood circulation and works great to help relieve headaches, sinus pressure, and hot spots. A little over is great for stress relief, and a tiny bit under the nostrils promotes deep, clear breathing.
Peppermint oil is also excellent on the scalp, helping to relieve dryness and stimulate blood circulation for healthy growth. You will want to part the hair and apply directly to the scalp, then massage in with your fingertips for best results.
lavender oil
Arguably the most commonly used oil in aromatherapy, a whiff of lavender essential oil instantly makes us feel more relaxed. This floral oil is a superb spot treatment for acne, working to relieve active inflammation all over the body. We also use it for skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, to help with skin healing. Apply a few strokes of oil to pulse points for aromatherapeutic benefits, or to the scalp to tone down excess oil.
Sweet Orange Oil
How can something with “sweet” in the title be anything else? A detoxifying oil that comes from orange peel, sweet orange oil is antimicrobial and helps treat acne. Add this oil (or your favorite citrus essential oil) to pressure points, like the web between the thumb and forefinger. Naturally uplifting, this oil can also lift your mood and energize the spirit.
rose oil
The perfect oil for almost any skin type, 100% Pure Rose Essential Oil is an excellent treatment for the face and body. Like lavender, rose has a calming effect on the mind, but this oil also works wonders for the skin. Rose is healing, calming and can treat scars and redness. Beyond skincare benefits, rose is also hailed as beneficial for relieving anxiety and menstrual pain.
tea tree oil
Finally, one of the most powerful oils in the game: tea tree essential oil. This oil is antibacterial and antiseptic: useful for treating irritations, inflammations and acne. Ironically, it’s one of the few “oils” that helps fight excess sebum.
Another great scalp oil, tea tree helps fight fungus, dandruff, and itching for balanced, healthier hair. We use this oil on both pulse points and pressure points for aromatherapy, and of course on blemishes and other irritations as a skin treatment.
Still have more to learn about essential oils? Find out what’s most talked about about essential oils, and how to mix and use essential oils for everyday use.
