We all want that natural (but still noticeable!) glow that comes from a healthy lifestyle – but sometimes, we need a little extra “healthy” to get our perfect hair or skin!
Essential oils come in handy for this extra boost of perfection, but with all the conflicting health news out there about how much coconut oil you should be eating or whether olive oil is really good for you, things can get confusing.
For starters, essential oils aren’t just called that because they’re “essential” to your skin/hair/health – they refer specifically to oils that are concentrated from the essence of plants. Through steaming or distillation, these oils can be extracted from the original plant to retain the medicinal effects. These oils are used commonly in herbal pharmacies and in mainstream beauty treatments and medicines today – so they are so much more than just the oil you use for frying pakoras!
We at the BFIW are here to “clear” things up for you so you can have that healthy glow on your wedding day!
Here are 5 essential oils you consider using on a regular basis, if not a few months before the big day!
1. Almond Oil
{via The Body Shop}
Almond oil is high in vitamin E, which is great for anti-aging properties and also for moisturizing. Almond oil comes mostly in its “sweet” form – which is often used in many body lotions and hand creams. You can apply it directly to your skin in small doses (a few drops) to get a soft, hydrated feel all over, or mix it into your face lotion.
Almond oil is also great for replenishing hair and fighting split ends. You can use it as a hair mask or mix a few drops into your conditioner. Almond oil also keeps nails healthy and makes them less likely to chip – so rub your nails with a few drops of oil before you get a manicure!
2. Argan Oil
{via Josie Maran’s Argan Oil}
Originating from Morocco, argan oil comes from the argan fruit, which has amazing benefits for your skin and hair. Argan oil is also full of vitamin E, so it makes for a great hair mask and conditioner that’ll leave your hair silky and shiny. It has a higher concentration of vitamin E than olive oil, so it’s bound to make a noticeable difference in your haircare.
Argan oil is known for being lightweight, which means a few drops of it can make for an excellent moisturizer. I use argan oil on my face on the time, and it leaves my combination skin moisturized without feeling oily.
3. Coconut Oil
{via The Body Shop}
We South Asians have known about the benefits of coconut oil in hair for ages – but did you know it can be used for many other purposes too? Yes, the oil keeps your hair from losing protein so it stays thick, healthy, and shiny, but this quality also makes it a great addition to skin care.
You can use coconut oil as a hair mask or as a skin moisturizer. It works well mixed with other oils or fruit essences to make a conditioning treatment. Because coconut oil stays solid at room temperature, it’s perfect for a bridal face mask party!
Coconut oil has lauric acid in the form of saturated fats. This acid has plenty of health benefits when consumed: it can build immunity to viruses and bacteria. This is one saturated fat that is actually good for you!
Coconut oil is often sold it its pure form in most grocery stores, so you can definitely use the version you see on the store shelf as long as it’s 100% coconut oil! Keep in mind that coconut oil is solid at room temperature though, so you may have to melt it down depending on what you’re using it for.
4. Jojoba Oil
{via Aroma Oil Store}
Jojoba oil, derived from the native shrub in California and Mexico, is odorless and looks like liquid gold. Maybe it is, because the health benefits of this oil are pretty unbelievable!
Jojoba oil is often used by hairdressers to deep condition hair before a damaging coloring treatment, like bleach. The waxy oil coats the hair and protects it from damage – but it’s lightweight enough to not feel too heavy as a hair mask/conditioner.
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax, so it’s a good substitute for an all-natural lip balm or a scrub. Apply it in small doses directly to your lips for long-lasting moisture, which we all need before applying a thick coat of lipstick!
My favorite use for jojoba oil is as a facial moisturizer. The oil, like argan, is light on my skin and keeps it well-hydrated. It’s great as an overnight night “cream”, and one of my (no longer) secret beauty tricks is using this oil as a makeup remover. The oil gets even the toughest makeup off (even Urban Decay’s famously “un-smudgeable” eye pencil) without requiring a lot of eye-reddening scrubbing action.
5. Olive Oil
{via The Body Shop}
We all know how olive oil has less fat content than vegetable oil and how yummy it is as a drizzle or dip, but olive oil can make for moisturizing skin care and hair treatments as well.
Olive oil has polyunsaturated fats which can be found in protein-heavy nuts. This fat is great for nourishing your skin too. You can make many face masks with olive oil and a thicker, more solid ingredient such as banana or avocado. Olive oil can also be used as a deep conditioning treatment for your hair.
Many scrubs feature olive oil as the liquid ingredient. A simple scrub for your lips: mix two parts olive oil with one part demerara or brown sugar and lightly rub your lips to remove any dried skin.
One important thing to note: olive oil sold in grocery stores might not be the pure “essential” olive oil, as it might be refined or combined with other oils. You should double check that the stuff you’re buying is pure before you begin any olive oil beauty treatments.
Tea Tree Oil
{via The Body Shop}
Tea tree oil gets an honorable mention since it only applies to people with acne-prone skin. The oil isn’t recommended for use on a daily basis because it’s quite potent – but it’s a great acne treatment! Applying tea tree oil to a concentrated acne zone will dry out the excess oils that cause acne and clear up your face – all while using a natural, non-toxic treatment regimen.
You can mix tea tree oil into your daily moisturizer or body wash to use it regularly in doses that are calm, yet effective, enough to treat your skin every day.
Truth be told, there’s so many “essential” oils and many of them are interchangeable, but if you try some of them out, you’ll quickly learn which ones suit your needs best! For dry skin, I recommend the “oilier” ones like olive or coconut. If you’ve got oily or combination skin, you might want to start with argan or jojoba oil that is more lightweight.
Once you figure out what works into your skincare routine, a regular use of these essential oils can keep you looking fresh and glowing every day – especially on the day!