WINTER SKINCARE WITH AROMATHERAPY
Bitter winter winds and centrally heated homes are a harsh combination for our delicate skin. We all want to look and feel at our best, and a clear healthy complexion can be a great boost to morale.

Aromatherapy has a special affinity with the skin. Essential oils are excellent in skincare preparations as they are readily absorbed by the skin and amongst many other properties they help speed up the removal of old skin and stimulate the growth of new cells.

The list of oils suitable for skin care is endless. A good cell regenerator is Carrot seed oil which works best with aged skin, on rashes and irritations, and revitalises dull, lifeless skin. Myrrh is used for healing cracked, chapped skin and Patchouli is rejuvenating, moistening and cooling. Bergamot has an antiseptic action making it the perfect choice to use for acne and oily skins, Cedarwood has a similar effect but is extremely gentle making it suitable for even the most delicate or irritated skins.

Floral essential oils come into their own in skin preparations, most essential oils from flowers are very expensive but the combination of beautiful fragrances and proven skin benefits make them a pleasure to use. Neroli (orange blossom) essential oil has an exquisite fragrance and helps reduce redness, irritation and is suitable for all skin types. Jasmine adds an exotic feel to any skin cream and is great on dry, irritated skins. Geranium with its delightful scent is useful for balancing the production of sebum making it a valuable choice for oily and combination skins.

 The Queen of Flowers is the Rose and it is one of the most expensive oils used in aromatherapy. Rose otto has a delicious fragrance reminiscent of a summer garden. It is an excellent emollient, with softening and hydrating properties making it effective against wrinkles, it is stimulating, antiseptic and has an astringent quality that can help with broken capillaries, redness and inflammation.  Rose oil is perfect for all skin types, especially mature, dry and sensitive complexions. Rose otto works on an emotional level too, research has shown it to have an anti-anxiety effect, and is a sedative for the nerves which gently lifts mood, comforts and boosts confidence.