3. It's Essential
- Hannah LaJoye
- Dec 31, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 7, 2020
Hello friends!
Do you love essential oils? Do you hate essential oils? Do you know how to use essential oils? Are essential oils gendered? Have you heard of essential oil? Is this blog already too Granola for you?
Then you've maybe come to the right post!
I recently started doing research on essential oils when I stumbled across a diffuser that I found aesthetically pleasing. If you didn't know, my housemate Emma and I will pretty much only buy something if it's aesthetically pleasing. So when I saw this boooootiful diffuser, I realized I had to earn it.
Plus my two best friends swear by their diffusers, and one has an essential oil body care company she started when she got pregnant with her little honey bee.
Needless to say, I am behind the curve. So I looked into essential oils and my mind was blown. I recently invested in a book called "Everyday Essential Oils" by Danielle Festy. It basically breaks down oil properties, and how we can incorporate them into our every day life! Neat!
TANGENT START
One thing I noticed a lot while I was researching essential oils, is that it is a female-dominated market. Nearly every book, video, blog, business, you name it, it was owned by a female. But when I find myself shopping in 'regular' body care isles, many mens fragrances are based off of essential oil scents beyond the fruits and florals we see in the women's department. I just realized more than ever that the essential oil industry is just as gendered as all of our other brands but for seemingly no reason that I could find. Honestly, if someone could explain to me why I can't smell like a tree, and my brother can't smell like a rose, please do. I have yet to find good enough reason to stop buying "men's" deodorant. Anyways, just fruit for thought in case you're a male reader who is checking out right now, because you've been brainwashed to believe that essential oils are not products you as a man can use.... :)
TANGENT END
I was particularly drawn to using essential oils in my skin care routine.
As some of you may know, I have worked in a home and body care store for nearly 2 years now, and I can't help but be curious about my skin as well as fragrances. What is so great about essential oils, is that they are the concentrated natural 'essence' of their plant or tree. No added fragrance needed! My first appeal to essential oils was that they are a natural ingredient that won't have a negative impact on our water system or environment.
One thing I was intrigued about, was the healing or mood changing properties that some essential oils had. In other words, the aromatherapy side to essential oils. Many blends can reduce stress, calm our bodies, fight bacteria etc. This was a HUGE appeal to me. Especially in this winter season in Michigan, it is easy to be come run down or stressed out by the weather. Some of these "impacts" come from mental association with the fragrance itself. which I mean, come on, that is COOL!
Since I have just started my journey learning about essential oils, and I can't afford my dream diffuser (someone start a go-fund-me please), I will be sharing more and more discoveries and tips in future posts. But as a fun starting point, I decided I wanted to make my own essential oil body care item!
I googled a moisturizer recipe, since it's winter and ya gorl is dry, then I hit the shops! Here is a link to the recipe I used and the instructions as well. https://mylifecookbook.com/nourishing-face-cream-using-essential-oils/ .
To start off, I looked in several different stores to find essential oils that would be safe to use in skincare. I didn't want to order online in case I missed a warning like: 'this will turn your skin Elphaba green', or 'beware this contains poison'. I will tell you that Grand Rapids was not my friend in the shopping department. A lot of cute shops sold already made skincare, which my manic DIY mood was not here for, or they sold essential oils that were only made for diffusers because they contained fragrances that would irritate the skin. You might ask, if it irritates skin, then how does it not irritate lungs? The answer is: I Don't know, and it maybe is bad for the lungs, so maybe don't buy those kinds... Just a thought. ANYWHO after 5 stores, my frustration level was high. I finally stopped in the Vitamin Shoppe, and I FOUND MY PEOPLE. There was a whole section of oils, and carrier oils (the oils you have to mix with essential oils so that they are diluted and safe for skin contact), and containers that were tinted to preserve the oils longer. Honestly, the Vitamin Shoppe and I are in a committed relationship now. Someone tell my mother she can call off her hunt for a son-in-law!
Here are the ingredients I used to make my little concoction: I chose some different essential oils than the recipe mentioned simply because my skin has different needs I wanted meet.
Lavendar - fights bacteria to reduce acne, helps to even skin tone, unclogs pores, and prevents wrinkles.
Cedarwood - Calming effect, heals scars, clears stubborn acne.
Tea Tree - fights acne, soothes dry and itchy skin, anti-inflammatory, helps reduce oil.
Grapefruit - prevents acne, relieves stress (and it smells like the clean and bright human I aspire to be)
My honey-bunches (the Vitamin Shoppe) also had a chart that showed how to pair certain oils so that the fragrances complimented each other. Like, SCORE! On the chart it said strong florals all have a range based on how 'woody' they smell. For example Rose was on the opposite end from Lavender. Lavender was grouped with Cedarwood, which is how I ultimately decided on that pairing. Plus Cedarwood's healing properties sounded like the answer to my little combination skin's prayers! Tea Tree oil I have used in the past for facial scrubs and was very pleased with how it helped my redness. Finally Grapefruit, which was selected so that I could have my Neutrogena face wash commercial moment..... I KNOW you know exactly what I am talking about.
Next I had to decide on a Carrier oil. Even though the recipe called for Calendula infused oil, I decided to go the sweet Almond route. Simply because it's winter and my skin is screaming at me for moisture. After looking into a few different carrier oils, I realized a lot of people used Almond for skincare. Plus, it smells like I am baking up a storm on my face, which is all the delight I need.
The Final Ingredient I had to search high and low for was Beeswax, which I eventually found at Hobby Lobby. Beeswax is what ultimately brings the thick and creamy texture to your lotion so that you don't have an oily mess everywhere.
When It finally came down to heating and incorporating all of my ingredients, I will admit I didn't have all the tools I needed. But if you're like me, and you do not own a blender, then using a mixer will suffice just fine. I think I may have had more lumps than if I'd used a blender, but life ain't smooth amiright? On a side note, I definitely recommend using less water! I had at least a tablespoon excess at the end.
Voila! Here is my little tub of essential goodness! Amber and dark blue containers help to filter light so that the essential oils don't go bad quickly. So I found this blue tub for like $2. (my sweety-kins came in clutch again). Also I recommend refrigerating your moisturizer, both to sooth your skin and to keep your mixture funky fresh. I believe the recipe suggests for Vitamin D as well in case you want to preserve your concoction. How many names can I come up with for this moisturizer mixture?
I have had the Moisturizer on for a few hours now and I am loving the way my skin feels and smells! Also,can I just say I love that essential oils are a gender neutral way to express one's personality through aroma! Wearing this moisturizer put me in a sort of "down with the patriarchy" type mood, and I am all the better for it!
Let me know if you try it out for yourself and please tag me @its_raining_somewhere_blog in a picture of your lovely creations over on the Instagram! I am eager to see what kind of mixtures y'all come up with!
also add the #Essentialoilstakedownpatriarchy for a fun inside joke if you're feeling sassy!
There are Links below to help you on YOUR essential oil journey as well!
Thank you so much for reading, and if you're feeling overwhelmed, take heart! It's Raining Somewhere.
-Hannah
Ingredients for Mosturizer:
Shop Rachael's Business:
buy the book:
Read up on oil benefits:
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