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RISING WOMEN EXPERT ADVICE...
Sunscreen
Essentials -
Aromatherapy for Healthy Summer Fun
Your summer fun can be worry free and healthy with the benefits of essential
oils and a few good blending recipes. Within this article I will cover some
basic uses for oils and how they can help you enjoy your summer without Deet
or toxic sunscreen products.
One of the first concerns during the summer is sunscreen. Sure, there are
great ones out there but be aware and read the labels. Certain added
compounds that protect you from UVB, like Benzophlenone-3 and Octyl
Methoxycinnamate, have also been found to increase the skin cancer rates.
For more information visit
www.newstarget.com/sunscreen.html or
www.skinbiology.com/toxicsunscreens.html Although I don’t have an
essential oil recipe for this there are lots of products out there that are
natural and just as effective against the sun.
Outdoor activities like sailing, swimming and hiking can be great fun in the
summer but can also be hard on your skin. Outdoor Recovery Oil is a blend
for healing the skin after exposure to the elements while swimming, sailing,
hiking, etc. Here’s how to make it:
In a 30-ml bottle add:
5 ml of Jojoba
5 ml of Sesame Seed (light unrefined)
5 ml Evening Primrose oil
15 ml Sweet Almond oil
10 drops Roman Chamomile or
5 drops German
10 drops Geranium
10 drops Lavender
Apply at night before bed. Please note this blend does not replace a
sunscreen.
Another summertime concern is mosquitoes and other insects that bite. You
can use a highly effective Deet product or go natural. Here is a recipe I
call Beat the Deet blend. It is a perfect blend for the naturalists. I
suggest you make a 5-ml bottle of the blend as this may last most of the
summer. (Please Note: this is a concentrated blend):
50 drops of Lemongrass or Citronella Essential oil
25 drops Lavender
25 drops Peppermint
25 drops Red Thyme or White Thyme for children
Place into a 5-ml dark glass bottle. Add 2-3 drops to 1 tablespoon of your
regular body lotion and apply before going out in the evening.
For an effective and handy bug spray, simply pour 12 drops of Beat the Deet
into a 120-ml spray bottle and top off with distilled water. When camping
you can use the spray around the tent to detract little critters.
Helpful Tip: If going outdoors for extended periods go “Vegetarian” since
meat eaters attract bugs more than
veggie eaters.
Last but not least is the dreaded Cellulite that sends many people off to
buy “Board Shorts” for their swimming activities. Here is a recipe called
Cellulite Massage Oil that you can safely apply daily to disperse the fatty
deposits in thighs and buttocks:
As a base for this oil blend use Sweet Almond oil. Almost fill a 30-ml
bottle, and then add to the base 5 drops Jojoba oil and 5 drops Carrot oil.
Then add in these essential oils:
5 drops Cypress
3 drops Geranium
5 drops Fennel
3 drops Juniper Berry
5 drops Grapefruit
3 drops Lemon
3 drops Lime
Apply to the area and massage in an upward direction. Once the oil is
absorbed, gently squeeze the area to help break up the fatty deposits.
Please Note: Citrus oils are phototoxic, meaning they can attract damaging
UV rays when exposed to sun. Allow 12 hours after applying this blend before
going into the sun or to a tanning bed.
Here is a list of selected ingredients used in these blends and their
benefits within these recipes:
Almond Oil: an excellent emollient to repair chapped skin.
Evening Primrose Oil: contains GLA, which is beneficial for skin
maintenance and repair.
Fennel Oil: reduces fluid retention and lymphatic decongestion.
Geranium Oil: generally beneficial for skin.
German Chamomile Oil: an anti-inflammatory which soothes irritated
skin.
Roman Chamomile Oil: an anti-inflammatory that is more suitable than
German Chamomile for children and people with sensitive skin.
Juniper Berry Oil: a lymphatic decongestant, which clears toxins and
reduces uric acid levels.
Jojoba Oil: helps protect skin against the elements and acts as a
preservative in blends.
Lavender Oil: promotes healing of burns and minor wounds.
Lemon Oil: a mild detoxifier and a good astringent.
Lime Oil: a lymphatic stimulant that helps reduce fluid retention.
Peppermint Oil: noted for strong aroma and as a bug deterrent.
Sesame Seed Oil: known for its natural sunscreen ability.
You can contact Jeannine Millan RMT & Certified Aromatologist for
further information at email:
enlightenedoils@yahoo.ca . |
