Lotions and creams

[Guest guest]

Hi all

While I would agree with Moira about using delicious benzoin in footcream and

so on, I'm sorry but I have a problem with aqueous cream. This is because it

is made of paraffin which, as a mineral oil (like baby oil too), is made of

molecules that are too big to pass through the pores, hair follicles and spaces

between the cells. Whereas vegetable-based oils have smaller molecules which

can

pass through and between, and carry the essential oils with them. So, mineral

oils

are fine if you need a barrier (such as on a baby's bottom, or when doing lots

of

gardening or washing). But vegetable oils are better if you need the essential

oils

to get in through the skin layers. Therefore it is best to seek out

vegetable-based

lotions and creams, almond oil, say, whipped up into a lotion. These will

probably

be more expensive than aqueous cream. Then you can add another vegetable oil

depending on skin type, to enrich it.

 

Oily skin responds well to grapeseed oil, and hazelnut, which is astringent.

For

dry skin you could add wheatgerm, jojoba, avocado or aloe. Sunburn = aloe and

avocado. Jojoba has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 4. For wounds and sore

skin,

calendula. For burns, Penoel reports success with calophyllum inophyllum

(haven't

seen this available in SA, Moira). Evening primrose oil is useful to counteract

water loss and maintain elasticity, and is good rashes and eczema.

 

You can usually buy " bland " (ie no smell) or " white " creams and lotions, ready

for

you to add essential oils and other vegetable oils to make your very own

recipes.

I've found it's OK to use the same number of drops of essential oil as you would

if

you were blending a massage oil - half as many drops of essential oil as you

have

mls of vegetable oil - 50ml veg oil to 25 drops eo is the 'normal' dilution,

although it depends on need. If you were making a cream to get rid of a nasty

bruise, say, you could go up to 50 drops in 50ml.

 

Helen in Cape Town

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 06/18/2000 3:18:19 PM Central Daylight Time,

PierceDian writes:

 

<< ESSENTIAL OILS AND THE SKIN

To enhance the beauty of the skin with essential oils we must analyze

the

skin type. I work with 5 skin types with essential oils and I have listed

the oils to use for each type. >>

 

Hello,

 

Could you please explain what you do with the oils once you find your type.

Blend them in a carrier oil? Which one? How much? How do you apply? Steam?

 

Thank you,

 

Donna