I love summer. I love to lay in the sun by a pool, I love to read a book on my porch and I like being outside taking my dog for a walk all the while enjoying the rays of heat and tanning my skin. I know the sun isn't good for my skin for several reasons (skin cancer, aging and drying), but I just can't help wanting to be outside enjoying it.
Then the end of summer comes along and I find myself with dry, flaking skin. I am good about using sunscreen on my face and drinking plenty of water, but I have to admit, my arms and legs could use some help. The help I found was the wonderful curing elements of essential oils!
Dry skin can be itchy and ugly. It needs hydration to regenerate cell growth and strengthen cell membrane. There are certain essential oils that will help do with. For example, try mixing ZAQ Sweet Orange 100% Essential Oil with a base carrier of your choice (such as Young Living Jojoba Carrier Oil) and you will instantly see moisturizing results that are quickly absorbed and similar to the skin's natural oils.
Sometimes, dry skin can be a sign of a lowered immunity. For this, I suggest mixing your carrier oil with ZAQ Lavender 100% Pure Essential Oil or ylang-ylang essential oil. This will improve your skin's immunity defenses and leave your skin with a comforting, soothing effect.
Toning the skin is also wonderful and has been in use for many, many years. However, some of the products used now are less harsh to the face. Toning is essential to keeping the dirt and dead skin cells off our face. It also helps to prevent acne, close pores and keep our face from becoming oily looking. Here's a good recipe to try from The Encouraging Home:
Glowing Skin Moisturizer
Other essential oils to use instead of frankincense and myrrh are lemon, geranium, bergamot, rosemary and juniper. These will all leave you with excellent results.
If the sun has left you with fine wrinkling around the eyes and mouth, try a carrier oil (like Jojoba Carrier Oil) mixed with a couple drops of lemon, orange, myrrh and/or patchouli to help out. The sun, as you can see, isn't always our "friend."
Also, if you already have a favorite cream or facial mask, try adding essential oil to that instead of a carrier oil. It is recommended to use 2-3 drops of essential oil to 5 ml of cream. You could blend the oils into the entire container, but it is best to add the oil right before use. That way, you can decide if you want to work on fine lines, dry skin or other skin problems you may be experiencing. Even if you just want a change of scent!
My final recommendation is for extremely dry, cracked skin such as the bottom of your foot. A good solution is to try Jojoba carrier with a couple of drops of rosehip seed essential oil. Pour into a lukewarm soak and enjoy for 10-15 minutes. When you have finished, try some lavender lotion on the cracked skin. This can help heal more quickly.
Yes, the sun has so many wonderful advantages, but at the same time, we have to take care of our skin. If you have enjoyed it a little too much this summer, try some of the ideas listed about for relief. Remember, too, to have a dermatologist check your moles for precancer and cancer. That is important in caring for our skin, too!
Kris Bitar
