A CLOSER LOOK: ESSENTIAL OILS
Whether used to scent or add major beauty benefits to your favorite products, the essential oils once prized by the ancient Egyptians are still as relevant today as ever. What are they and why should we use essentials oils in our day to day lives? CVLUX takes a closer look.
“Essential oils are highly aromatic substances extracted from certain plants through distillation and cold pressing,” explains aromatherapist Dori Eldridge Bell (www.theblossombar.com). “They are highly complex chemically and contain many different molecules that act together to create a balanced, safe substance.”
Due to this complexity, it is important to know how potent they are. Most essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil before being applied to the skin. “When adding essential oils to a face product, for example, do so at a 1% dilution,” explains Eldridge. “That means one drop of essential oil to 99 drops of the carrier.”
CHI Haircare makes trying oils easy with their new CHI Egyptian Aromatherapy products, available in two options. Their Pure Notes line features 100% pure, natural essential oils that are undiluted for personalization, while the Fixed Oils line has options that can be used as carrier oils for their stronger pure essential oils to minimize sensitivity. CHI even has an Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser.
“But, if you’ve never tried essential oils, any of our Healing Roll-On Oils are a great place to start,” says Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms, a national nonprofit that provides healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. The women of Thistle Farms actually make natural products, including essential oils. Their roll-ons are handcrafted and specially blended to promote Comfort, Calm, Focus, Immunity, or Balance. Apply onto your pulse points at inner wrist, base of your throat, behind ear lobes and knees, and top of feet.
Other important details? Packaging and price. “One safety tip is to never buy essential oils in plastic bottles. You want to get them in glass bottles, specifically dark and amber-colored glass, in order to protect it from oxidation,” explains Dr. Christian Gonzalez, an Los Angeles-based naturopathic doctor, non-toxic living expert, and podcast host of Heal Thy Self. (www.instagram.com/doctor.g_).
“You shouldn’t be going online and buying a $10 essential oil,” Dr. Gonzalez notes. “A really good bottle of essential oil is going to be about $20 to $30. This is actually something where there is a real benefit to paying more.”
Some of other picks include Avon’s Aromatherapy Minding My Mood 4-in-1 Essential Oil Blends. This set includes two essential oil blends (Energize and Calm), made with premium ingredients that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed—perfect for AM and PM use.
“Essential oils are great for mood boosting, stress relief, reducing muscle pain, relaxation, and meditation,” furthers Stevens. “They even help our skin by moisturizing, toning, and reducing wrinkles, while making us feel beautiful from the inside out.” What more can you ask for? Sign us up!
1. CHI Egyptian Aromatherapy $15.00 to $45.00 from www.chi.com 2. CHI Egyptian Aromatherapy Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser $24.99 from www.chi.com 3. Thistle Farms Healing Essential Oil Roll-Ons $15.00 from www.thistlefarms.org 4. Avon Aromatherapy Minding My Mood 4-in-1 Essential Oil Blends $28.00 from www.avon.com
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Beauty Editor Jessica McCafferty
