Spa Girl Beauty Tips

Aromatherapy and Its Benefits

I find this topic fascinating.

I’m a stickler for ingredients; the list has to make sense for a product to do what it promises. This is usually accompanied by scientific backup. Proof that the ingredients are also active. But I love products in general, so I’m constantly struggling between logic and girlish giddy at pretty packaging.

Aromatherapy does tricky things to my head. I LOVE the idea. It tickles my imagination.

When I was a child I had dreams of living in a cottage in the woods with a fantastically wild garden full of herbs, flowers, creeping vines and epically drooping, ancient trees. I would survive on just the plants and they would solve everything. I am wired to being seduced by this idea.

By definition aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils  to treat or prevent deisease and promote physical well being.

There hasn’t been a whole lot of scientific proof of this. People have been using the oils for thousands of years, but this version of it came about in the 1920’s when a brilliant, albeit clumsy, french chemist burnt himself and plunged the arm into a vat of Lavender oil. He noticed faster healing and less scarring. Seriously, how many times did this guy burn himself that he noticed “less scarring”!?

The idea is that the essential oils work on two levels. The first being aroma, effecting the limbic portion of the brain and the emotions.  Depending on the oil used, different moods can be influenced. The second is the idea that the actual physical contact of certain oils can achieve specific results.

There is little scientific proof because ultimately there has been very little research. For large companies, what would be the purpose? You can’t patent a plant.  There would be no real monetary gain for any of the necessary research firms to prove that the extract of a plant could cure or prevent.  The research that has been done is slightly encouraging though.

Double blind in vitro tests have been done and confirmed some benefits. They include but are not limited to the following:

Anti-bacterial: Tea Tree, Rosemary, Clove, Lime and Cinnamon. Delicious.

Anti-viral: Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Sandalwood, Peppermint, Ginger and Thyme

Anti-fungal: Tea Tree (sensing a theme?), Lavender, Thyme, Clove and Juniper

Anti-inflammatory: Clove, Cinnamon, Sage, Eucalyptus, Black Cumin and Bay Leaf

When it comes to skincare, use of essential oils is very interesting. They absorb right into the skin. This is to the point where in France they are used as prescription drugs and some can only be administered by physicians. This would suggest there is some benefit.

When used in skincare, you have to be aware of which ones cause sun sensitivities: irritation or outright burns. Education is key.

Essential Oil lines such as Decleor have researched like crazy to find the most beneficial ones for specific skin types. They can purify, hydrate and firm.

Aroma has long been used to alter moods. It’s a given that lavender and chamomile do make people sleepy and relaxed.

Quality is very important as well. No regulations here in Canada means people can claim whatever they want. To achieve the suggested therapeutic benefits, you want the purest oils you can get. This does come at a price though. First pressings are best and you don’t want oils that have already been cut with too much  carrier oil. They are diluted to the point where they are now just a pretty smell. Which is fine if that’s all your looking for.

All they have to have is a certain aromatic chemicals and those can be achieved synthetically as well. That’s why you can find a $4 lavender oil and a $12 one.

All that being said. I have done facials with essential oil lines and have yet to see comparable results for an immediate “glow” to the skin. They are beautifully hydrating without being oily. You just have to remember that a little goes a long way.

And if nothing else you can get some wonderful scents from them. This can definitely lift ones mood and energize.

In conclusion: even if it has yet to be proven, proper use of essential oils can result in truly positive and beautiful experiences. If you’ve never tried before there are many easy ways to get into it. Decleor makes some lovely bath products and Golden Moor offers a nice selection of individual oils for you to play with. Just be sure to read all the precautions.

Visit www.spaboutique.ca for a wide selection fo skin, hair and makeup products to make you feel beautiful.

Tags: Aromatherapy, Decleor, Essential Oils, glowing skin, Golden Moor, hydrating skincare, natural skin care, radiant skin, spa boutique

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