TONING up your Skincare Routine
The votes from our Instagram This or That Poll are in- and up first your choice for What Essential Oil do you want us to use in recipes for SKINCARE.
And the winner is....
Lavender (Lavandula angustofolia)
First off, I would like to start about by saying that Lavender is one of those "does it all" kind of essential oils which is why it is so widely used in a variety of skincare products you pluck off the shelf. It has antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and is generally seen as safe for anyone, of any age, to use. Besides that it smells fantastic, so adding it to products, regardless of it's clinical benefits, is a great way to bring life to your blends. I will only add one caveat to that- not all 'Lavender' products are created equal, so it is best to remember that when you see the "lavender scent" label crop up in your shopping BE WARNED. Without going into much more detail on the commercial skincare industry, let's get to making recipes which you can do at home with your trusted source for essential oils!
Because of the variations in skincare needs and the capabilities of Lavender I couldn't just settle on one recipe, so here are a couple of toners and facial oil recipe options you can try at home. When formulating these recipes I tried to keep in mind that often times less is more! Unless you're an experienced clinical aromatherapist there is not need to really formulate blends that use more than 3-4 essential oils, and besides that the best parts about DIY can often be the simplicity of taking things that seem complicated and figuring out ways to do them yourselves- often for much cheaper! Below I have included two different types of facial toners and one facial oil with different blend options.
Acne Fighting Toner
First I want to start off with my personal (and more recent) love- the acne fighting toner. Here's the truth, I am 25, female, and I still have acne. Not just a blemish here and there, like I have Orion's belt on my chin at this very moment, and I have had consistent patches of pimples since my first ever one, on my chin, in 6th grade... and yes I do remember when it all began.
Since the beginning I have tried so many products to help stop the pesky devils from cropping up before school picture days and first dates. Everything from Clearasil, to Proactiv, Cetaphil, and all the other clinically medicated cleansers followed up by prescription moisturizers. I tell you NOTHING has worked consistently and effectively and after years of this fight I almost resigned myself to this acne-filled life. However, believe it or not one thing has inspired me to take a deeper look into causes of my acne, and potential homeopathic solutions- self-quarantine. That's right, being stuck at home has given me an opportunity to really look in the mirror and learn more about what skin is telling me, like: where my acne is, how my hormone cycles and the food I eat might be contributing, and most importantly how my skincare 'routine' hasn't really been a routine at all. I won't get into the nitty-gritty of what these details can tell you about your skin I will just link you to a couple articles I read to help me sort my baggage out https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/DIY/types-breakouts & https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-acne-15762
If you left our blog and did a quick read of those links you might now have a better perspective- great, welcome back! Now let's get into my current recipe solution. Recently, The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy had their monthly webinar with none other than Essential Oil Extraordinaire, Penny Price. Penny's webinar explored antimicrobial essential oils of all kinds and their capacities for helping people fight everything from the bird flu all the way to the most common bacteria that causes acne to begin with, Propionibacterium acnes. In her webinar she mentioned the fact that really all essential oils are antimicrobial but it comes down to matching which microbe you want to combat with it's essential oil antagonist. In this webinar she mentioned an essential oil I would never have thought of using before on my skin, but with her endorsement I just had to give it a try- Clove Bud.
So, my first recipe for you comes in the form of a facial toner with Clove Bud and Lavender Essential Oils. Before you break out beakers and try this I must warn you that there have been some situations in which Clove Bud has caused dermal irritations, so this powerful antimicrobial should be applied with caution, diluted well, and patch-tested on a small area of skin, like your arm, before using on more sensitive areas, like your face. You will note in this recipe I use a very small amount of this oil taking into account its dermal precautions, and because the scent can easily overpower a blend. While the blend as a whole is about a 3% dilution, the Clove Bud portion is only being used in a 1% dilution while the lavender is used in a 2%, and by doing this I am hoping to temper some of the warming intensity an essential oil like Clove can bring, with the cool, more refreshing balance of Lavender, which I think keeps this blend synergistic. Make sure to also follow up this toner with a moisturizer especially for those of you who have dry skin, as the astringent effects of Witch Hazel can exacerbate those issues. See even further below for a facial oil recipe that would make a good match! The toner recipe is as follows:
*Make sure to blend essential oils with an emulsifier before applying to skin. We recommend using our Coconut Emulsifier
I have noticed some improvements on my skin, however the long-term difference will be noted when I complete a full month of my cycle since much of my trouble with combating breakouts is determined by hormones.
Sun-kissed Skin Spritz
Up next we have a different type of toning recipe that goes in a completely different direction. If you're not spending time battling acne, but you do suffering from dry, red or blotchy skin caused by the high altitude summer sun then you might enjoy this refreshing spritz. This particular blend is intended to cool and refresh the skin, while adding a layer of moisture protection and evening out of complexion. This recipe also uses one of my personal favorite essential oils- Patchouli. Well-known for it's use in the skincare industry Patchouli brings that layer of skin tone evening, and also pairs well with the Lavender thanks to both of their cooling effects. These oils together can help reduce inflammation and are thought of as gentle and generally safe for all ages. This spray also has the added bonus of being less drying than the acne fighting toner meaning you can feel free to apply more often throughout the day when you need to hit the 'refresh' button. I paired these essential oils with our Bulgarian Rose Water Hydrolat for additional cooling properties, and for the subtle rosy scent which I think helps to balance the strong undertones of Patchouli. Check out this recipe!
The Juicy Facial Oil You've Been Waiting For
Finally, I will leave you with my favorite oils to blend for a good facial moisturizing layer. What I love about this blend is not only the essential oils but the benefits of the carrier oils used as well. I absolutely adore Rosehip Seed Oil. I get everyone I know hooked on it because it just feels so nice the way it glides on my skin and can brighten my sometimes dull complexion. You can however, have too much of a good thing, so I always recommend pairing this carrier oil with something on the lighter side- JoJoba Oil. Jojoba Oil is also a pretty strong antimicrobial too, and neither of these oils clog your pores so you can feel free to keep that skin moist all day long especially as the air gets drier.
Once these oils are blended together I look to add essential oils to extend the properties of this blend and offer a pleasant balance of aromas. While I have pretty good access to a few drops of the more precious oils, I know they won't be in everybody's budget. If you're lucky enough to have a bottle of one of these oils laying around: Sandalwood, Frankincense, or Myrrh then I recommend adding just a few drops to your blend because of their moisturizing and skin healing properties. I have exceptionally dry skin that is only exasperated by the sunburns I inevitably get (no matter how much sunscreen I apply) so having Frankincense and Sandalwood around becomes helpful in repairing damage, soothing inflammation, and helping lock in moisture. I love Myrrh as well for its soothing qualities, and all of these oils are highly regarded in facilitating the healing of mature skin, and preventing further damage. If these oils are out of your budget then for the same benefits just go with Patchouli! I am telling you, you cannot go wrong with Patchouli in your skincare products. There is nothing lost in your blend by substituting oils based on what you have or can afford. So many oils are powerful in their own way, but many of their benefits overlap, so by knowing what you can use for what you can always make sure you have your bases covered with the scents you prefer. Check out the facial oil recipe below!
30 mL or 1 oz Bottle
15 mL of Rosehip Seed Oil
15 mL of Jojoba Oil
8 drops Lavender Essential Oil
3 drops of Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, or Patchouli Essential Oil.
If you try any of these recipe we would love your feedback! Please email sav@timelabs.com to keep us updated on what you think! If you have any questions about how to get a hold of these oils while following proper social distancing guidelines you can call the shop at (208)-232-5250 to make an order for curbside pick-up. Or shop all our oils and products online at: https://www.shoptimelabs.com/
Stay tuned for the next recipe post coming to you soon based on your votes for HOUSEHOLD CLEANER RECIPES using Eucalyptus Essential Oils!
Until next time-
Savannah Rose
Savannah Rose holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Murray State University, and is currently the marketing coordinator for Time Laboratories and the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. While her experience with essential oils is fairly new, beginning in the fall of 2018, she has since completed part of her Level 1 Aromatherapy Certification and is now finishing her completion of the Anatomy and Physiology requirements. She is currently looking to pursue Holistic Nursing and obtain her Bachelor's of Nursing Degree at Idaho State University. Savannah is also currently completing her Animal Aromatherapy Certification with Ashi Aromatics. She currently volunteers for a local pug foster, recently discovered a love for gardening, loves all things outdoors, and can often be found with a camera, a good cup of a coffee, or on a trail run. To learn more about Savannah and see the other aspects of her life you can follow her on Instagram @_savyrose
The statements made in this informational presentation have not been evaluated by the FDA
(U.S. Food & Drug Administration). These products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be used as a substitute for medical care.
References:
More about the causes of Acne (not referenced specifically above but very helpful!)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83685/
Most of the information presented is extracted from a few books listed below:
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Black Pepper Creative, 2018.
https://naha.org/store/entry/the-complete-guide-to-aromatherapy-third-edition
Young, Kac. The Healing Art of Essential Oils. Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd., 2017.
https://naha.org/store/entry/the-healing-art-of-essential-oils
In addition I mentioned the Penny Price Webinar- NAHA Members get access to these webinars for free! But anyone can also purchase them from the bookstore through the link below. I wanted to add this because of how important it is to not only understand the microbes that cause bacteria but more importantly the ones that lead to bacterial and viral infections!
https://naha.org/store/entry/naha-webinar-registration-antimicrobial-essential-oils-and-how-to-use-them-with-penny-price
And the winner is....
Lavender (Lavandula angustofolia)
First off, I would like to start about by saying that Lavender is one of those "does it all" kind of essential oils which is why it is so widely used in a variety of skincare products you pluck off the shelf. It has antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and is generally seen as safe for anyone, of any age, to use. Besides that it smells fantastic, so adding it to products, regardless of it's clinical benefits, is a great way to bring life to your blends. I will only add one caveat to that- not all 'Lavender' products are created equal, so it is best to remember that when you see the "lavender scent" label crop up in your shopping BE WARNED. Without going into much more detail on the commercial skincare industry, let's get to making recipes which you can do at home with your trusted source for essential oils!
Because of the variations in skincare needs and the capabilities of Lavender I couldn't just settle on one recipe, so here are a couple of toners and facial oil recipe options you can try at home. When formulating these recipes I tried to keep in mind that often times less is more! Unless you're an experienced clinical aromatherapist there is not need to really formulate blends that use more than 3-4 essential oils, and besides that the best parts about DIY can often be the simplicity of taking things that seem complicated and figuring out ways to do them yourselves- often for much cheaper! Below I have included two different types of facial toners and one facial oil with different blend options.
Acne Fighting Toner
First I want to start off with my personal (and more recent) love- the acne fighting toner. Here's the truth, I am 25, female, and I still have acne. Not just a blemish here and there, like I have Orion's belt on my chin at this very moment, and I have had consistent patches of pimples since my first ever one, on my chin, in 6th grade... and yes I do remember when it all began.
Since the beginning I have tried so many products to help stop the pesky devils from cropping up before school picture days and first dates. Everything from Clearasil, to Proactiv, Cetaphil, and all the other clinically medicated cleansers followed up by prescription moisturizers. I tell you NOTHING has worked consistently and effectively and after years of this fight I almost resigned myself to this acne-filled life. However, believe it or not one thing has inspired me to take a deeper look into causes of my acne, and potential homeopathic solutions- self-quarantine. That's right, being stuck at home has given me an opportunity to really look in the mirror and learn more about what skin is telling me, like: where my acne is, how my hormone cycles and the food I eat might be contributing, and most importantly how my skincare 'routine' hasn't really been a routine at all. I won't get into the nitty-gritty of what these details can tell you about your skin I will just link you to a couple articles I read to help me sort my baggage out https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/DIY/types-breakouts & https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-acne-15762
If you left our blog and did a quick read of those links you might now have a better perspective- great, welcome back! Now let's get into my current recipe solution. Recently, The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy had their monthly webinar with none other than Essential Oil Extraordinaire, Penny Price. Penny's webinar explored antimicrobial essential oils of all kinds and their capacities for helping people fight everything from the bird flu all the way to the most common bacteria that causes acne to begin with, Propionibacterium acnes. In her webinar she mentioned the fact that really all essential oils are antimicrobial but it comes down to matching which microbe you want to combat with it's essential oil antagonist. In this webinar she mentioned an essential oil I would never have thought of using before on my skin, but with her endorsement I just had to give it a try- Clove Bud.
So, my first recipe for you comes in the form of a facial toner with Clove Bud and Lavender Essential Oils. Before you break out beakers and try this I must warn you that there have been some situations in which Clove Bud has caused dermal irritations, so this powerful antimicrobial should be applied with caution, diluted well, and patch-tested on a small area of skin, like your arm, before using on more sensitive areas, like your face. You will note in this recipe I use a very small amount of this oil taking into account its dermal precautions, and because the scent can easily overpower a blend. While the blend as a whole is about a 3% dilution, the Clove Bud portion is only being used in a 1% dilution while the lavender is used in a 2%, and by doing this I am hoping to temper some of the warming intensity an essential oil like Clove can bring, with the cool, more refreshing balance of Lavender, which I think keeps this blend synergistic. Make sure to also follow up this toner with a moisturizer especially for those of you who have dry skin, as the astringent effects of Witch Hazel can exacerbate those issues. See even further below for a facial oil recipe that would make a good match! The toner recipe is as follows:
*Make sure to blend essential oils with an emulsifier before applying to skin. We recommend using our Coconut Emulsifier
I have been using this recipe since April 24th (shortly after Penny's webinar) and I want show you my results from just a few days of use in an effort to share my own battle with acne in case you can relate:
I have noticed some improvements on my skin, however the long-term difference will be noted when I complete a full month of my cycle since much of my trouble with combating breakouts is determined by hormones.
Sun-kissed Skin Spritz
Up next we have a different type of toning recipe that goes in a completely different direction. If you're not spending time battling acne, but you do suffering from dry, red or blotchy skin caused by the high altitude summer sun then you might enjoy this refreshing spritz. This particular blend is intended to cool and refresh the skin, while adding a layer of moisture protection and evening out of complexion. This recipe also uses one of my personal favorite essential oils- Patchouli. Well-known for it's use in the skincare industry Patchouli brings that layer of skin tone evening, and also pairs well with the Lavender thanks to both of their cooling effects. These oils together can help reduce inflammation and are thought of as gentle and generally safe for all ages. This spray also has the added bonus of being less drying than the acne fighting toner meaning you can feel free to apply more often throughout the day when you need to hit the 'refresh' button. I paired these essential oils with our Bulgarian Rose Water Hydrolat for additional cooling properties, and for the subtle rosy scent which I think helps to balance the strong undertones of Patchouli. Check out this recipe!
The Juicy Facial Oil You've Been Waiting For
Finally, I will leave you with my favorite oils to blend for a good facial moisturizing layer. What I love about this blend is not only the essential oils but the benefits of the carrier oils used as well. I absolutely adore Rosehip Seed Oil. I get everyone I know hooked on it because it just feels so nice the way it glides on my skin and can brighten my sometimes dull complexion. You can however, have too much of a good thing, so I always recommend pairing this carrier oil with something on the lighter side- JoJoba Oil. Jojoba Oil is also a pretty strong antimicrobial too, and neither of these oils clog your pores so you can feel free to keep that skin moist all day long especially as the air gets drier.
Once these oils are blended together I look to add essential oils to extend the properties of this blend and offer a pleasant balance of aromas. While I have pretty good access to a few drops of the more precious oils, I know they won't be in everybody's budget. If you're lucky enough to have a bottle of one of these oils laying around: Sandalwood, Frankincense, or Myrrh then I recommend adding just a few drops to your blend because of their moisturizing and skin healing properties. I have exceptionally dry skin that is only exasperated by the sunburns I inevitably get (no matter how much sunscreen I apply) so having Frankincense and Sandalwood around becomes helpful in repairing damage, soothing inflammation, and helping lock in moisture. I love Myrrh as well for its soothing qualities, and all of these oils are highly regarded in facilitating the healing of mature skin, and preventing further damage. If these oils are out of your budget then for the same benefits just go with Patchouli! I am telling you, you cannot go wrong with Patchouli in your skincare products. There is nothing lost in your blend by substituting oils based on what you have or can afford. So many oils are powerful in their own way, but many of their benefits overlap, so by knowing what you can use for what you can always make sure you have your bases covered with the scents you prefer. Check out the facial oil recipe below!
15 mL of Rosehip Seed Oil
15 mL of Jojoba Oil
8 drops Lavender Essential Oil
3 drops of Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, or Patchouli Essential Oil.
If you try any of these recipe we would love your feedback! Please email sav@timelabs.com to keep us updated on what you think! If you have any questions about how to get a hold of these oils while following proper social distancing guidelines you can call the shop at (208)-232-5250 to make an order for curbside pick-up. Or shop all our oils and products online at: https://www.shoptimelabs.com/
Stay tuned for the next recipe post coming to you soon based on your votes for HOUSEHOLD CLEANER RECIPES using Eucalyptus Essential Oils!
Until next time-
Savannah Rose
Savannah Rose holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Murray State University, and is currently the marketing coordinator for Time Laboratories and the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. While her experience with essential oils is fairly new, beginning in the fall of 2018, she has since completed part of her Level 1 Aromatherapy Certification and is now finishing her completion of the Anatomy and Physiology requirements. She is currently looking to pursue Holistic Nursing and obtain her Bachelor's of Nursing Degree at Idaho State University. Savannah is also currently completing her Animal Aromatherapy Certification with Ashi Aromatics. She currently volunteers for a local pug foster, recently discovered a love for gardening, loves all things outdoors, and can often be found with a camera, a good cup of a coffee, or on a trail run. To learn more about Savannah and see the other aspects of her life you can follow her on Instagram @_savyrose
The statements made in this informational presentation have not been evaluated by the FDA
(U.S. Food & Drug Administration). These products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be used as a substitute for medical care.
References:
More about the causes of Acne (not referenced specifically above but very helpful!)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83685/
Most of the information presented is extracted from a few books listed below:
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Black Pepper Creative, 2018.
https://naha.org/store/entry/the-complete-guide-to-aromatherapy-third-edition
Young, Kac. The Healing Art of Essential Oils. Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd., 2017.
https://naha.org/store/entry/the-healing-art-of-essential-oils
In addition I mentioned the Penny Price Webinar- NAHA Members get access to these webinars for free! But anyone can also purchase them from the bookstore through the link below. I wanted to add this because of how important it is to not only understand the microbes that cause bacteria but more importantly the ones that lead to bacterial and viral infections!
https://naha.org/store/entry/naha-webinar-registration-antimicrobial-essential-oils-and-how-to-use-them-with-penny-price
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