Summer is coming around and many of us are spending more
time out in the sun. And though we may always apply
sunscreen liberally, at the end of long hot days our skin
will still feel the effect of the sun's rays. Friends in
that natural health sciences tell us that most damage from
sun exposure to our skin is our result of ultra violet rays
creating free radicals within our skins cells. Our skin
becomes inflamed as a result. Fortunately, topically
applied antioxidants can quench these free radicals, reduce
inflammation, and leave our skin with a happy healthy glow.
Application of the proper formula can have a marked effect
in reducing premature aging for yourself and everyone in
your family.
Natural essential oils are highly effective antioxidants.
Clove essential oil is one of the strongest natural
antioxidants known, with and ORAC value of over 100,000 --
though it might be a little spicy to use on your face.
There are a great many other essential oils with strong
antioxidant action packed are known healers to the skin
from which to choose. For example, a study just released by
French scientists note that Myrrh essential oil has a
profound oxygen quenching effect on free radicals produced
by the interaction of UV rays and the skin's sebum. All
essential oils used in skin care have the ability to absorb
oxidative radicals, and they each have specific healing
properties for the skin.
It's simple to compound your own formula: Choose from a few
readily available oils commonly used in skin care, add them
to one or more nourishing carrier oils and voilà! --
your own personally-tailored recipe. The obvious first
choice is lavender. Lavender reduces inflammation and has
natural constituents which stimulate healthy skin cell
regeneration. Lavender in fact began the modern
aromatherapy revolution with its quick healing of burns.
Really, when we come in from sun over-exposure, even
without a sunburn, we do have a mild burn on a cellular
level. Lavender can be used undiluted on burned his skin,
and will be an effective addition to any recipe.
Blue Tansy is a somewhat more rare essential oil with
profound anti-inflammatory action. Blue Tansy can be used
in very dilute amounts; it is often called for in recipes
at only a one or 2% concentration. Blue tansy's wonderful
aroma will have you bathing in your lotion just for its
sweet berry-like scent. Blue tansy is especially effective
for sensitive skin that may be prone to irritation. It is
included in many eczema and allergy blends for its
naturally-calming action. So if your skin is gentle, and
the Sun treats it a little harshly, a little blue tansy can
really help.
Helichrysum may be the most dramatically anti-inflammatory
and regenerative oil used in skin care. While expensive,
just a small amount will have important healing effects.
Helichrysum is used in wound healing and scar removal
blends, and will do just as well for daily facial care. For
folks with an eye toward really preventing any damage from
the sun's rays, Helichrysum is a must. Like lavender
Helichrysum can be used neat in emergencies, and at about
3% for a regular use skin recipes.
And for be perhaps most profound protective effects, choose
Sea Buckthorn. This essential oil has been studied by
Russian scientists as a protective agent for cosmonauts in
outer space. It's deep red color indicates a high
concentration of vitamin A like compounds, highly regarded
for their skin healing properties. Steam distilled from the
berries found across Europe, it too has a sweet fruity
aroma loved by many. Sea Buckthorn is useful in virtually
any skincare application, and most certainly for an
after-sun formula. Add at one to 3% in your carrier base.
Other additions to your formula include myrrh, as it's
antioxidant effects for the skin have recently been
elucidated (use at 1-3%); natural vitamin E (use at 10-20
drops per ounce) -- also an excellent antioxidant for the
skin; and ascorbyl palmitate, fat-soluble form of vitamin
C, recently becoming popular in support of maturing skin
(500-1000mg per ounce can be effective). All these oils
will go into a base of carrier oils. Carrier oils are
natural cold-pressed oils from seeds, nuts, and fruit. Good
choices for your after-sun formula are Avocado, Apricot
Kernel, Jojoba, Tamanu and Rosehip seed. Avocado is very
hydrating, with a plethora of nutrients. Apricot Kernel is
quickly becoming more popular in aromatherapy skin care for
its anti-inflammatory action. Jojoba is also hydrating and
healing. Tamanu and Rosehip seed are the ultimate exotic
skin care base oils. Tamanu is described in the
aromatherapy literature for wound healing and scar
reduction; Rosehip seed has been the subject of many
University studies, and has been shown to reduce the
appearance of sun damage.
Use your intuition to guide you for the best formula for
yourself. Here are a few examples to get you started: make
a base of one third Apricot Kernel, one third Tamanu, and
one-third Rosehip seed. For each ounce of base, add 15
drops each of Lavender, Blue Tansy and Sea Buckhorn --
include 15 drops of vitamin E and 1/8 teaspoon of ascorbyl
palimate for that extra nutraceutical enhancement. You
might also try a base of Jojoba, Avocado, and Tamanu; to
this add 15 drops each of myrrh, helichrysum, and Sea
Buckthorn. While simple, these formulas are highly
effective. They will reduce inflammation and quench
oxidative radical activity in your skin on a cellular
level. All of these oils are gentle enough for family
members of all ages, though for the very young ones use
only a quarter as much essential oil in the recipe. These
oils are gentle enough for frequent application, and
frequent application is encouraged for the long-term health
and vibrancy of your skin.
----------------------------------------------------
The author is a lover of the summer sun, and is an
aromatherapist with Ananda Aromatherapy at
http://www.anandaapothecary.com
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