Winter woes often include dry, itchy, chapped and irritated skin. With less humidity in the air, dry and chapped skin is a part of the season that most of us experience. Fortunately, there are many essential oils that can help alleviate dry skin as well as other skin irritations, in a natural and very economical way.
In this article, we cover:
- Why essential oils help repair dry skin
- The best essential oils for dry skin
- How to use essential oils for your skin to hydrate, repair and soften
- Where to find high quality essential oils
What Are Essential Oils and Why Do They Help?
Essential oils are plant compounds with active, healing and therapeutic properties. Pure essential oils contain powerful dynamic components. These potent plant extracts can help alleviate dry and irritated skin by working with your body and your body's chemistry for synergistic, healing results.
What Are the Best Essential Oils for Dry Skin?
Essential oils have a huge range of healing properties, targeting everything from dry skin to anxiety. When applied topically, they are absorbed into the skin via the hair follicle.
All essential oils are reputed to have antibacterial properties. Some are antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. Essential oils also contain antioxidants that help prevent cell damage caused by oxidation.
When it comes to repairing damaged skin, here are the best essential oils for dry skin.
Frankincense - Known for its woodsy and calming aroma, frankincense essential oil brings those same calming properties to dry, irritated skin. It is very gentle and calming and it has the potential to minimize scars and fine lines. Frankincense essential oil supports skin cell regeneration, which in turn reduces flaky skin and inflammation. Frankincense also helps to even out skin tone.
Lavender - Lavender essential oil is such a calming oil. It is remarkable at calming the skin, soothing bug bites and burns as well as soothing chapped and dry skin. Lavender essential oil also promotes skin cell regeneration, which leaves your skin feeling soft, hydrated and smooth. Not only will lavender calm your skin, it will calm your mood also!
Chamomile - Chamomile essential oil is well known for its calming properties for the skin. You have likely heard of it as a major component in night time teas for insomnia and relaxation - it has the same benefits for your skin. Chamomile essential oil is high in sesquiterpenes This means that it is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and extremely soothing for dry and irritated skin.
Patchouli - Patchouli essential oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that quickly helps repair cracked, chapped and dry skin. Patchouli oil is also ideal for use on scarred skin, rough skin patches and other skin irritations. Patchouli essential oil is also an excellent option for dermatitis and acne. Not only will it quickly promote skin repair and cell regeneration, Patchouli will also help ease feelings of anxiety and stress.
Find high quality and affordable essential oils here.
How to Use Essential Oils on Your Skin
It is recommended that the majority of essential oils be diluted into a carrier oil prior to being applied to the skin to prevent any reactions or skin irritations.
Frankincense, Patchouli and Lavender essential oils can be applied directly to the skin for most people using 1 - 2 drops, which is called a “neat” application. However, we still recommend that it be diluted to see how your own skin reacts to each oil, as these are highly concentrated plant essences.
To dilute essential oils for application to the skin, simply add to your favorite moisturizer or carrier oil and apply to your skin for a hydration boost or cellular repair. Follow the dilution chart below. The best carrier oils to use are coconut, jojoba, grapeseed and sweet almond oil.
Conclusion
Essential oils are a natural and fast acting method to alleviate dry and chapped skin as well as other skin irritations. You only need a drop or two, so they are also a very economical way to effectively and naturally treat your skin issues.
Frankincense, Lavender, Patchouli and Chamomile are the best essential oils for dry skin repair and skin hydration. While using these oils topically to hydrate your skin, be sure to breathe in deeply to also enjoy their aromatic therapeutic properties.
Do you have any essential oil tips for dry or chapped skin that we have not covered here? If so, let us know in the comments below!