Essential oils are highly concentrated botanical extracts that contain valuable properties for beautifying your skin. They are natural, nontoxic, and packed with powerful antioxidants, which contribute to healthy, happy, hydrated smooth skin that glows! Essential oils are a really great natural alternative to commercial beauty products and have a tremendous history going back more than five thousand years. They have benefits ranging from beautifying the skin to wound healing to immune system support. Be warned: an oil labeled as an  "extraction" is different from a "distillation;" in extracted essential oils, chemicals have been used to separate the plant's volatile aromatic compound (VAC), which is not considered ideal for health. I use only distilled essential oils. 

All essential oils are antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. These compounds are what plants use to defend themselves against opportunistic organisms, like mold and fungus. The unique characteristics of many essential oils is the ability to kill harmful bacteria without killing beneficial bacteria. They have the innate intelligence of the plant and create an optimal environment for health and beauty, especially when used topically.

The phytochemicals found in plants have been developed over thousands of years. By harnessing their power we can heal and nourish our skin as well as lift our mood. When you use aromatherapy and essential oils on the skin, you are creating a healthy environment in which beneficial bacteria can easily grow. Whether our skin glows or not will depend largely upon the health of our skin's microbiome. 

Essential oils also penetrate the blood-brain barrier and can easily pass through your cellular matrix. This means that when you use  essential oils topically, they penetrate the various layers of skin and heal and nourish on a very deep level. They act as natural "antibiotics" and do not kill the beneficial bacteria on the skin, only the harmful microorganisms.

A fantastic way to get essential oils into your body is by taking a Detox Bath ~ here's the recipe!

Detox Bath

Combine the Himalayan Salt, Epsom Salt, and Baking Soda. Stir the combination into a quart of warm water until it dissolves. 

Fill your bathtub, and add to it the Apple Cider Vinegar and Essential Oil of choice. Pour in the dissolved Salt mixture. 

Soak in the bath for 30-60 minutes. Repeat this once a week. Also, make sure you drink extra water during the following 24-48 hours as your body continues to move unwanted toxins through your system.