Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens)
Geranium is a wonderful oil for cleansing the skin. It is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, astringent and antimicrobial.
It is also a wonderful lymphatic decongestant and general tonic. Great for all skin types and helpful for eczema and
psoriasis, as well as congested skin, cellulite, ringworm and athletes foot. A really balancing and harmonising oil.
Cleansing and Nourishing our Skins with Essential Oils
Cleansing and Nourishing our Skins with Essential Oils
Written by Lisa Cadman, 19/02/2023
February comes from the Latin word “februa”, which means “to cleanse”. The month was named after the Roman Februalia, which was a month-long festival of purification and atonement that took place this time of year.
As we go though winter, I have found my skin is far more dry than usual, so I thought it would be good to do this months blog on caring for our skin, both in terms of cleansing it, and also nourishing it, with some beautiful, natural Essential Oils. These can be added to a Base Oil that you would use for massaging into your face and body (such as Sweet Almond, Jojoba or Grapeseed), or they can be added to a Base Cream if you prefer, and applied regularly. Please do note any safety information given in the oil descriptions to ensure they are safe for you to use.
Section One - For CLEANSING
Some Essential Oils that can be used to help cleanse and decongest the skin at this time of year, are shown below. Please Note: Do not use the citrus oils in too high a dose during warmer summer months, as they can be damaging to the skin if exposed to the sun after use.
Bergamot (Citrus Aurantium Subspecies Bergamia)
Bergamot is an uplifting oil. It is calming and light, and is a great Essential Oil for cleansing the skin, as it is
bactericidal and antifungal and is a fabulous lymphatic decongestant. Brilliant for acne, congested skin and
cellulite,
it also helps us deal with anxiety and tension. Avoid use in the sun. It is safe for almost everyone.
Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisii)
Grapefruit oil is cleansing, uplifting and revitalising, and has a cooling, refreshing effect on the body. It is an
aerial antiseptic, is astringent, bactericidal, decongesting and is also a lymphatic and digestive decongestant. It is
wonderful for acne, oily skins, blackheads, and congested skin and lymphoedema, so is a perfect choice for cleansing the
skin. Avoid use in the sun.
Juniper Berry (Juniperus Communis)
This Essential Oil is great for detoxifying when we feel sluggish. It is an astringent, and great for oedema, acne, hair
loss and cellulite. Since ancient times Juniper has also been associated with spiritual purification. It should not be
used for people with kidney problems, and may be too strong for those with hypersensitivity. It should not be confused
with the herb ‘Juniperus Savin’ which should not be used in Aromatherapy, and definitely not in pregnancy.
Lemon (Citrus Limonum)
This oil has almost all the same properties as Grapefruit, so is a cleansing, toning, uplifting and refreshing Essential
Oil to add to your blend. It is wonderful for lymphatic congestion, acne, congested skin, cellulite, blackheads,
verrucas and lymphoedema. It is bactericidal, astringent, fungicidal and a fabulous tonic. As with all Citrus oils
though, sun exposure should be avoided after use.
Orange, Sweet (Citrus Sinensis)
Orange is a wonderful cleanser, being detoxifying and purifying, as with all the Citrus oils! It is great for acne,
congested skin, blackheads, lymphoedema and cellulite. It is bactericidal, antifungal and a wonderful lymphatic and
digestive tonic too. It’s also a real uplifter, so a lovely oil to use in the winter months to cheer us up a bit! It is
a safe oil for everyone (just avoid in sunlight as mentioned before), and it is very popular with children too.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
Tea Tree is a fabulous Essential Oil, being a great skin cleanser, as it is a powerful antimicrobial. It is also
antifungal, anti-inflammatory and a brilliant general tonic. It is useful for acne and other skin conditions too, as
well as insect bites and stings, athletes foot and verrucas. It is also a good immune booster at this time of the year.
A gorgeous blend of these, for a healthy adult that I would recommend, would be 30ml of whatever Base/Carrier oil is your preference – I use Sweet Almond – then the following drops of Essential Oils. Or if you can’t use them all, or would like to use different ones, then use a combination (up to a total of 12 drops) per 30ml of Base oil.
| Bergamot | 3 drops |
| Geranium | 3 drops |
| Orange | 3 drops |
| Tea Tree | 3 drops |
Section 2 - For NOURISHING
Some wonderful ‘Skin Loving’ Essential Oils to consider, for deep moisturising and nourishing the skin are as below.
Carrot Seed (Daucus Carota)
Carrot Seed oil is just brilliant for cases of eczema and psoriasis, scar tissue and irritated dry skins. It is
anti-inflammatory, decongesting and soothing to the skin. It is quite ‘earthy’ in aroma, so not liked by all, but it is
very effective. It should not be used however, in pregnancy or during menstruation, but otherwise it is a safe,
non-toxic oil.
Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri)
This is one of the safest oils we have in Aromatherapy, and my own favourite! It is rejuvenating and healing for the
skin, being wonderful for chapped, cracked and dry skins, as well as useful for cases of eczema and psoriasis, scars and
stretch marks. It is antibacterial and astringent, and also fantastic for skin healing, as well as emotional support, as
it is calming and balancing. A really excellent general tonic.
Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale)
Jasmine is a wonderful emollient. It is perfect for rough, dry skins, cracked skins and mature skins. It is
anti-inflammatory and soothing. A wonderful general tonic with a beautiful fragrance. It can cause sensitisation in
hypersensitive individuals or those with multiple allergies, and it should not be used in pregnancy until labour.
Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Lavender is one of the most versatile, balancing and well loved of all the oils. It is one of the best remedies for skin
healing, soothing any irritation quickly, and is great for all skin types. Fabulous for acne, skin infections, fungal
infections, dermatitis, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, bruises, burns and wounds. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory
and analgesic, and also wonderful for all anxiety and stress-related conditions. It is also one of the safest oils used
in Aromatherapy.
Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin)
Patchouli is a wonderful restorative skin healer. It is fantastic for dry, chapped hands, eczema, psoriasis, mature
skins, fungal skin conditions and inflamed skin conditions. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic and
astringent, and is a real tonic. The deep aroma gets stronger with age, and it is a popular choice for people that burn
oils and incense too. A very safe oil.
Rose (Rosa Damascena and Rosa Centifolia)
This Essential Oil is a beautiful (but very expensive!) skin care oil. It is truly wonderful for sensitive, irritated
and inflamed skins. It helps with dry, dehydrated skins and with eczema, psoriasis and broken capilliaries. It has a
strong anti-inflammatory action, is soothing, bactericidal and emollient, and is a real treat for any skin. It has a
gorgeous aroma. Use with caution in pregnancy, but otherwise it is a lovely safe oil.
Rosewood (Aniba Rosaeodora)
Rosewood oil is great for sensitive and irritated skins, as well as for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It is a
general skin tonic, and like Rose oil, is good for broken capilliaries and mature skins, and has a lovely deep aroma
that lasts a long time. It is one of the safest oils in Aromatherapy and is a gentle balancer too.
Sandalwood (Santalum Album)
This Essential Oil is one of my absolute favourites. It is a healing, stabilising and grounding oil. It is wonderful for
all skin types and is very soothing and balancing. It is particularly good for treating dry, chapped and cracked skins,
and for scars, stretch marks and irritated skin conditions. It also helps with stress-related tension. It is one of the
safest oils we have, and being another one of our ‘Base’ note oils, the fragrance comes through more strongly as time
goes on, so the aroma lingers for longer.
A gorgeous blend of these, for a healthy adult that I would recommend, would be 30ml of whatever Base/Carrier oil is your preference – I use Sweet Almond – then the following drops of Essential Oils. Or if you can’t use them all, or would like to use different ones, then use a combination (up to a total of 12 drops) per 30ml of Base oil.
| Carrot Seed | 3 drops |
| Frankincense | 3 drops |
| Patchouli | 3 drops |
| Rose | 3 drops |
So there are two lovely Essential Oil skin blends for you to try out this month – the first for cleansing, and the second for nourishing. I would personally use the cleansing one in the morning, and the nourishing one in the evening before bed.
As well as using oils and creams to help us to hydrate the skin during these cold winter months, it is also very important to drink plenty of water, and eat a healthy balanced diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables, to ensure your skin gets all the care and nutrition it needs. Cutting back a bit on caffeine, sugar, alcohol, tobacco, screen time and late nights etc., also helps to keep us balanced, and not feeling so lethargic and sluggish during the dark mornings and dark evenings.
Winter is also a time to catch up on sleep and rest a bit where we can too, looking after ourselves. Many animals hibernate in winter – we obviously can’t hide away for a few weeks as we have jobs and families to keep (!), but we can try and ease off on ourselves a little, and try to care for ourselves a bit. I personally have made a little more time for reading and hot baths this month, as ways to make myself rest a little between clients, and my home and parental responsibilities.
If you would like to discuss any ways in which my treatments or products might be able to help you, please do not hesitate to contact me on: 07710 173354 or email me at: lisa@soulspace.biz. I would really love to hear from you.
Wishing you and all your loved ones the very best for 2023.
With all my love and hugs. See you next month!
Lisa
xXx