When it comes to common health complaints, sometimes nature knows best! Whether you suffer from breakouts, dry ends or sleepless nights, organic essential oils could be the vegan, all-natural remedy you’re looking for. You could also use organic essential oils alongside medicated treatments for a more holistic approach, but don’t forget to check with your doctor first!
Here’s our list of vegan essential oils that can help support the treatment of commonplace skin, hair and health complaints and the different ways you can use them.
Choosing and using organic essential oils
Frizzy hair
What: Argan oil
Why: Argan oil is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E, so it’s incredibly moisturising, without being heavy or greasy.
How:
- Add a one or two drops of Argan oil to your hands and gently run your fingers through the lengths of your hair to the tips (avoiding the roots) to help smooth the follicle down.
- Try a DIY hot oil treatment by decanting castor oil, avocado oil or argan oil (or a blend of all three!) into a small squeeze bottle. Place it inside a bowl of hot water to warm, then apply to dry or wet hair and leave for 30 minutes before washing out.
Blemishes & acne
What: Tea tree oil
Why: Studies have shown tea tree oil to have an antimicrobial effect against Cutibacterium acnes; this is a type of bacteria which occurs naturally in the skin but is one of the main causes of acne.
How:
- Tea tree oil is too strong to be applied directly onto skin, but you can still use it as a topical treatment for individual blemishes by using water to dampen a cotton ball, then adding a single drop of oil to it.
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Mix a drop with your daily moisturiser or blend it with a carrier oil (jojoba oil is a great choice) and use it as a facial oil.
- Treat yourself to a pore-cleansing facial steam by adding two drops of oil to a bowl of very hot water.
Rosacea
What: Prickly pear oil
Why: The high concentration of fatty acids, triterpene and flavonoids in prickly pear oil are excellent for helping to calm redness and inflammation, making it one of the best oils for beauty.
How:
- Prickly pear oil is a carrier oil, so it is mild enough to use directly on the skin, undiluted. You can use it as a facial oil in the evenings after you’ve cleansed or apply it to the affected areas directly.
Stress, low moods, anxiety
What: Lavender or jasmine oil
Why: Some studies have shown that jasmine oil could help ease stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue due to its effect on the body’s nervous and limbic systems. Lavender oil is a firm favourite for calming the body and the mind, and is believed to be a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia.
How: Although essential oils are not a substitute for professional counselling or prescribed medication, aromatherapy can be very helpful as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and could help take the edge off a bad day.
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Dilute one or two drops in water and use a diffuser or oil burner to fill your environment with a soothing scent.
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Dilute your chosen essential oil with a carrier oil and decant into a glass roll-on, so you can apply to your pressure points when you need it.
- Enjoy a hot aromatherapy bath by adding two drops directly to the water or by mixing a drop with some unscented Epsom salts.