When it comes to natural oils, there’s way more to them than just scent (though some of them smell absolutely amazing). An essential oil is a compound that’s been extracted from plants. These compounds capture the scent and flavor of the plant (also known as their “essence”) and can be made in different ways, such as steam or water distillation, cold pressing or mechanical methods..
Each essential oil is unique and comes with its own unique scent, characteristics and properties. Let’s take a closer look at the essential oils that are, well, essential when it comes to natural soap.
Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil is beautiful, delicate and expensive. It’s used for everything from boosting your mood to extracting toxins from the body, and it smells fantastic. It’s also great for cleansing the skin and protecting it from skin disorders and concerns as it has antiseptic and purifying properties. Some schools of thought also say that it helps with inflammation, and it’s often used in aromatherapy to treat depression.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree is best known for its potency in dealing with acne and oily skin, as well as being a natural antiseptic. It can help with everything from unblocking pores and reducing the size of zits through to dealing with skin conditions like asthma and eczema. It’s amazing for soothing and reducing skin inflammation. Plus it smells refreshing, vibrant and green.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood is used worldwide for its natural antiseptic properties. It’s been used for cleaning wounds and healing for a very long time. Sandalwood oil also smells amazing, and is often used in fragrance and to deodorize the body. It can also be used to moisturize the skin and to relieve irritation and inflammation.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary has been used throughout history for health and beauty treatments. It’s thought to improve circulation, promote hair growth, soothe muscle and joint pain and help with the appearance of inflammation, acne and cellulite. It’s also been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as boost memory and alertness.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender has been used for relaxation and as a sleep aid for centuries, across the entire world. It has a seriously strong, instantly recognizable scent, and is often used in perfume making as it has such a powerful aroma. Some people even use a little lavender essential oil sprinkled on their pillow at night to help them sleep.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil is seriously refreshing and cooling - you’ll often find it in muscle soaks and foot soaks, to help replenish the muscles. It’s also calming for digestion, with records going back thousands of years showing it being used for calming, refreshing purposes on the skin and in the body.
Lemon Essential Oil
The refreshing citrus scent of lemon is often linked with cleaning products, but did you know that real lemon essential oil has anti fungal, anti-inflammatory properties and can help with pain? The immediately recognizable scent of lemon essential oil has been linked to refreshing the body, happiness and helping to deal with anxiety, stress and nausea.
Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile is available as an essential oil and is commonly used to treat acne, dry skin, eczema and dermatitis to relieve itchy, uncomfortable skin and inflammation. Chamomile is also said to have a calming effect that makes it good as a sleep aid and to help reduce stress, irritability and depression levels.
Looking for a natural soap filled with beautiful essential oils? Take a look at our range of all natural soaps from Wavertree & London.