Aromatherapy-backed essential oils to reduce stress and improve skin health
Essential oils have been used for about 6,000 years to help improve health and mood. When used mindfully, essential oils can greatly benefit your mind, body, and skin. According to India’s aromatherapy pioneer, Dr Blossom Kochhar, certain essential face oils can help reduce the twin, often interlinked, lifestyle issues: stress and skin.
Dr Kochhar tells Health Shots, “What you put on your face should be as pure and nourishing as what you eat.” This idea is particularly relevant during stressful periods, as stress can harm the skin. When stress rises, cortisol levels increase. This leads to increased oil production and inflammation, which can cause acne and other skin problems.
Best essential oils for skin and stress
According to the expert, the following essential oils can promote skin healing and stress reduction:
1. Rose oil
Rose oil is suitable for all skin types and helps tone and refresh the skin while reducing the appearance of pores. Its gentle floral scent can positively affect your emotions, helping to balance hormones during seasonal changes. For your daily beauty routine, apply rose oil after cleansing your face, or mix it into a gram flour scrub. This helps hydrate your skin without making it greasy. It also helps reduce the dullness that can come with stress.
2. Jasmine oil
The sweet smell of jasmine oil can make you feel calm. Dr Kochhar says, “Jasmine oil is helpful for people with acne-prone skin. This wonderful oil soothes inflamed skin and helps reduce blemishes. It also has antiseptic properties that stop bacterial growth.”
You can easily add jasmine oil to your skincare routine. One way is to mix two to three drops of jasmine oil with a mug of cold water to create a refreshing toner. Use this mix as a rinse. For spot treatments, combine jasmine oil with calamine lotion, clove oil, and mint oil. This mixture adds a nice floral scent with a minty twist. Apply it nightly to help reduce whiteheads and achieve clearer skin.