Essential Oils 101

Lets talk about essential oils...

I use essential oils all the time. I put them in products I make, I use them when I am sick, I clean with them, and I diffuse them. The funny thing about essential oil is that it's not even oil! They got stuck with the name simply because they don't mix with water. Essential oil is a liquid that is distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, or roots of plants. Not all essential oils are created equal, some contain fillers and some are synthetic. You should only use pure, organic, therapeutic grade essential oils. I use Young Living oils but there are lots of oils on the market. Do your research before you buy. Below are signs to tell if the oil is fake.

Color - Place a single drop on white printer paper and let dry. If there’s an oily ring left behind, it’s not a pure essential oil. It means it has hidden nut, seed, or vegetable oil in it and its not a true pure essential oil. 

Price - While high cost doesn’t signify high quality, it’s smart to be wary of an essential oil with a super-low price tag. Essential oils are almost inevitably pricey: It can take a roomful of plant material to fill just one bottle of essential oil, and if the botanical is scarce, it further drives up cost.

Sign - Make sure the plant’s Latin name is listed on the label or, if you’re shopping online, the webpage. If only the common name is listed (for example, "lavender essential oil") you might be shelling out for a lower-cost hybrid. And if it doesn’t specify that it’s an essential oil, it isn’t. 

Container - All essentials must be stored in glass containers, because the oil’s strong chemical compounds break down and react with plastic. What’s more, glass should be dark blue or amber to protect the oil from degrading ultraviolet radiation. 

Feel - Place a drop of vegetable, nut, or seed oil on the pad of one index finger, and place a drop of essential oil on the other. Rub the oils with your thumbs, noting the differences (or similarities) between the feel of each. True essential oils have a little slip. But for the most part, they shouldn't feel thick or greasy. 

How its cultivated - Since essential oils are plant-derived, avoiding pesticide contamination by buying organic only makes sense. Many companies carry the official USDA seal, but here’s an insider secret: Oils labeled "wild-crafted" are also a safe bet. It means the plant was harvested in the wild, rather than farmed. You can pretty much assume they’ve been unsprayed. The organic label means a price bump, but you can be strategic about when to save or splurge. If nothing else, make sure you buy organic citrus oils as it’s been shown that they tend to contain pesticides. 

How it pours - When you unscrew an essential oil’s cap, ideally it will be sealed with an orifice reducer, a plug that controls how many drops come out at once. This is helpful for dosage, yes, but it also prolongs the shelf life of oxidation-prone oils by limiting their exposure to air at all times. It’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t have one, but do watch out for any essential oils with built-in dropper pipettes. The little tubes are typically made of plastic or rubber, which can both break down and release synthetic impurities into the oil

I found this information in an article 7 Signs Your Essential Oils Are Fake. You can read more here.

The Power of Lavender

Lavender is the swiss army knife of essential oils. It has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anti-fungal, calming, moisturizing, and antimicrobial properties. It is the oldest and most popular known oil in essential oil history. If there’s a number one essential oil for all skin problems, it’s got to be lavender essential oil. Below are some amazing things you can do with it. 

*Add a drop of lavender oil to your mascara to make it last longer and help your eyelashes grow.

*Take 1 drop of lavender oil and apply it directly to acne or pimples. It should heal in 2-3 days.

*Mix a few drops of lavender oil with coconut oil (or any carrier oil) and use as a moisturizer. Lavender restores skin complexion and slows aging with its powerful antioxidants. 

*Gently rub stretch marks with a few drops of lavender oil to tighten skin and reduce the size and coloring of scars. 

*Create a spa-like retreat by adding 1 cup Epsom salt and 4 drops of lavender oil to a hot bath. 

*Lavender oil can be applied to prevent new scar tissue from forming and also reduce the evidence of existing scars 

*Add a drop of lavender oil to your shampoo each time you wash your hair. When massaged into the scalp, it can improve blood circulation, promote hair growth, and prevent hair loss.

*Add 5 drops of lavender oil, 1 tsp witch hazel, and 1 cup distilled water to a spray bottle. Use this facial mist to combat oil and heal breakouts.

*Add a drop of lavender oil to aloe vera to sooth sunburns.

*Lavender oil induces sleep. Rub a drop of oil on your palms then spread on your pillow before you go to sleep. 

*Make your own lavender body wash
1/2 cup Dr. Bronner lavender Castile soap
4 Tbsp vegetable glycerin
3 Tbsp grapeseed oil
Mix all ingredients together. Transfer to a bottle you can keep in the shower. Shake before each use.

When it comes to essential oil, please make sure you are using pure, organic, therapeutic grade essential oils. I use Young Living essential oils. As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender oil. It is also recommended that patients with diabetes stay away from lavender oil. 

Salt Scrubs

Salt is sugar's even twin. It can wreak havoc on your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. It can also work magic on your skin. Salt scrubs are made with sea salt which make them excellent exfoliators. The most common sea salts are Himalayan, Dead Sea, and Mediterranean. All of these salts contain trace minerals which include, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron. These minerals  promote circulation, reduce inflammation, tighten the skin, and improve skin texture. Sea salts are also natural purifiers that remove toxins from the skin. Salt scrubs are more abrasive than sugar scrubs. This is mainly because salt has sharper edges where as sugar granules are round. You should only use salt scrubs once per week and don't use after you shave! Below are my favorite salt scrubs.

Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub
You need fine grain pink Himalayan sea salt (I get mine at Marshall's/T J Maxx), coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and grapefruit essential oil (optional). You also need a glass jar, those little 4oz mason jars work perfect. Fill the mason jar 3/4 of the way with the salt. Melt some coconut oil and pour over the salt, make sure you completely cover the salt. Then add 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil. This is important because the vitamin E acts as a preservative. I also add a few drops of Young Living's grapefruit essential oil. This step is optional but I love the smell! Mix everything together. You can add more salt and/or oils to get the consistency you want. I keep the jar in my shower and use it in the morning. Your face will feel a little oily when you get out of the shower but your skin quickly absorbs it.

Coconut Lime Salt Scrub
I love to switch it up between sugar and salt scrubs and this is one of my favorites! To make one 8 oz mason jar, you will need:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup coarse sea salt ( I use Mortan Sea Salt or Bob's Red Mill Sea Salt )
1 tsp coconut extract
2 limes (or 10 drops of  lime essential oil)
Melt coconut oil until liquid. Add coconut extract. Zest both limes and add to bowl (if using essential oil, add 10 drops now). Stir in salt 1/4 cup at a time. 

The Dark Side Snarky Bar
This charcoal and shea scrubby bar exfoliates with Dead Sea salt. It's not recommended for your face so just use it on your body. It's amazing! I use it in the shower twice a week. As a reminder, all Perfectly Posh products are paraben free, paraffin free, phthalate free, sulfate free, gluten free, and soy free. The Dark Side Snarky Bar