Essential oils have many uses, skin care is just one of them. What makes them so appealing in skin care is that you are using a product that is natural and free of chemicals. Also, people with combination skin can create their own personal blend using a variety of the essential oils listed to target different problem areas.
Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus Racemosa)
This oil has antiseptic and astringent properties. It is great for dull skin and to remove toxin build-up. It is a thin, pink oil and made from the peel via cold press method.
Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
This oil has antibacterial properties and is good for acne and oily skin. It is pale yellow to colorless and is made from the leaves of the tea tee. To some it has an unpleasant scent and is best mixed with a better smelling oil if used for cosmetic purposes.
Mandarin Essential Oil (Citrus Reticulata)
This oil can also be used for acne. It is a light, orange oil made from the peel via cold press method. It smells very nice and makes a good addition to other, less pleasant smelling essential oils.
Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Officinalis)
Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils and very adaptable to many different uses. It also blends very well with a large variety of other essential oils. It is good for acne, dermatitis, irritated skin, and tissue regeneration. It has excellent anti-bacterial properties.
Elemi Essential Oil (Canarium Luzonicum)
This thin oil is extracted from the gum of the Elemi tree. It is good for mature skin and scars. This would make it a good component for mature people who perhaps have scars from acne dating back to their younger days.
Helichrysum Essential Oil (sometimes called Immortelle)
This antimicrobial oil is a very versatile skin treatment. It can be used for acne, dermatitis, and irritated skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is great for older, sun damaged skin.
Vetiver Essential Oil (Vetiveria Zizanoidis)
This heavy and viscous oil is distilled from the roots of a grass from India and Sri Lanka. It is good for acne and oily skin.
Rosewood Essential Oil (Aniba Rosaeodora)
This oil has antibacterial properties. It tones skin and stimulates new cell growth. While it can be used for acne as well as dull skin, it is a good balancer for oily and dry skin.
When using essential oils it is important to never apply them directly to the skin. A perfect way to use them on your face is to make your own toner: For your base, use a total of 20 drops of essential oil mixed with one ounce of the highest proof Vodka you can find (essential oils will not blend in water). Shake this mixture well, and add three ounces of witch hazel. Store in a cool, dry place.
The Latin names for these oils may vary slightly, it depends on the source. In this case, they were obtained from www.newdirectionsaromatics.com. You can order essential oils online, or find them in a lot of health food stores.