Aromatherapy Formulas For Summer Skin Care - By: Michael South

Summer is coming around and many of us are spending more time out in the sun. And though we may always apply sunscreen liberally, at the end of long hot days our skin will still feel the effect of the sun's rays. Friends in that natural health sciences tell us that most damage from sun exposure to our skin is our result of ultra violet rays creating free radicals within our skins cells. Our skin becomes inflamed as a result. Fortunately, topically applied antioxidants can quench these free radicals, reduce inflammation, and leave our skin with a happy healthy glow. Application of the proper formula can have a marked effect in reducing premature aging for yourself and everyone in your family.

It turns out that essential oils are exceptionally potent antioxidants. The spice oils, while not generally used in skin care, are some of them most potent natural antioxidants known. Oil of Myrrh was recently studied for its free radical inhibiting effect specifically in the chemical interaction between UV rays and the skins natural oils. Myrrh has long been used to natural healing, and the studies show evidence of its healing potential. Every essential oil found in skin care formulas has antioxidant action, and each one has a unique skin healing property.

Creating a personal formula tailored to your family and children is especially fun and satisfying. All those little bottles won't just smell nice, but they'll be offering long-term health-enhancing support. Making a skincare formula is as easy as adding a few drops of one or more essential oils to a natural carrier oil base. That's all it takes! The first and most obvious choice for an after-sun formula is lavender essential oil. We all know by now that lavender began the modern aromatherapy revolution by healing burns that were caused in an accident -- and it will have the same effect on skin inflamed by the sun. Lavender can be used full strength on severe burns, or included at low concentrations with other oils for general use.

For even greater anti-inflammatory effect, try Blue Tansy, also known as Moroccan chamomile. It's deep blue color is indicative of its natural cooling effect. It has an absolutely delicious aroma, smelling like a berry patch deep in the forest. Blue Tansy is included in many natural health skincare formulas for all sorts of dermatitis including itchy allergic reactions which often occur in the summer heat. If you or your child's skin is particularly sensitive, Blue Tansy will be a great addition to your recipe.

Everlasting, also known as Helichrysum essential oil, is this skin healing super-power. Included in almost every medical-grade skin healing land, Helichrysum includes an array of natural anti-inflammatory and regenerative constituents. It is an absolute must for terror of mature skin, or when skin has really been over-exposed to the sun's rays. It has a great many other uses as well, and will be a welcome addition to your aromatherapy medicine chest.

A newcomer on the block is Sea Buckhorn, the oils is cold-distilled from the berries of a bush found in Eastern Europe. Sea Buckthorn 'CO2 Extract' is now found in many of the world's most exclusive skincare products, and is very cost-effective when added to your own creations. It's sweet fruity aroma is very appealing, and its deep red color indicates the many beta-carotene compounds naturally occurring in this oil. Sea Buckhorn is highly-recommended for addition to all daily-use aromatherapy skin care blends, and is particularly suited for an after-sun formulation.

If you feel like getting creative, you can include other ingredients that are readily available at health food stores or on the Internet. You can squeeze a couple vitamin E. capsules into your blend, or add Ester-C -- a non-acidic form of vitamin C, both of which are excellent antioxidants when topically applied to the skin. All your 'active-ingredients' will be based in pure carrier oils. These are cold-processed seed or nut oils carefully made for therapeutic applications. The most useful for after-sun formula are Jojoba, Avocado, Apricot Kernel, Tamanu, and Rosehip seed oils. Jojoba, Avocado, Apricot Kernel are soothing, hydrating, and nutritive. Tamanu and Rosehip seed are specialty skin care oils are particularly suited to this use. Tamanu is mentioned in the medical aromatherapy literature as called for in various wound healing and skin care recipes; Rosehip seed has been the subject of numerous studies, helping create healthy skin numerous and diverse conditions. Rosehip has been specifically indicated for reduction of appearance of fine lines from sun over exposure.

Use your intuition to guide you for the best formula for yourself. Here are a few examples to get you started: make a base of one third Apricot Kernel, one third Tamanu, and one-third Rosehip seed. For each ounce of base, add 15 drops each of Lavender, Blue Tansy and Sea Buckhorn -- include 15 drops of vitamin E and 1/8 teaspoon of ascorbyl palimate for that extra nutraceutical enhancement. You might also try a base of Jojoba, Avocado, and Tamanu; to this add 15 drops each of myrrh, helichrysum, and Sea Buckthorn. While simple, these formulas are highly effective. They will reduce inflammation and quench oxidative radical activity in your skin on a cellular level. All of these oils are gentle enough for family members of all ages, though for the very young ones use only a quarter as much essential oil in the recipe. These oils are gentle enough for frequent application, and frequent application is encouraged for the long-term health and vibrancy of your skin.

About the Author

More on the benefits of essential oils like Lavender is available at http://www.anandaapothecary.com/aromatherapy-essential-oils/highland-lavender-essential-oil.html and http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html.

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