Aromatherapy Skincare
I’ve been an Aromatherapist since 1999, and while I don’t practice aromatherapy massage anymore, I still very much use essential oils in my natural handmade skin care products. So first, a bit about what aromatherapy is, what essential oils are and how it all works.
Aromatherapy is the subtle art of using essential oils externally to promote wellness and health. The usual way is with a massage, full body works best, with long sweeping strokes to help the oils penetrate the skin and induce relaxation, as that’s when the healing happens. As the name suggests it’s all about the aroma, the quickest way into the brain is through the olfactory system (smell) but the tiny essential oil chemicals also enter the body via the skin, some into the blood stream, and are then carried around the body, doing their stuff, until being eliminated via the breath, urine and skin. So as well as smelling divine, essential oils can have a very positive effect on various physical conditions and ailments as well as emotional and psychological. To read more about aromatherapy click HERE
So what about essential oils then?
These are plant extracts that are harvested by various means, the most common being steam distillation. It can take a huge amount of plant material to make 1 gram of essential oil, depending on the plant, method, and yield etc which dictates how much each oil costs, explaining why some oils are prohibitively expensive and others relatively ‘cheap’. No one is entirely sure why the plant produces these oils, some say for protection, some say it is the plants ‘life force’, but all plants produce something although not all are used in aromatherapy.
The oil itself is not actually an oil but an oil like substance containing hundreds, maybe thousands of natural chemicals. They are extremely potent and powerful, a little goes a long way, which is why we always add essential oils to a carrier before applying to the skin. They are highly volatile and need to be handled with respect. They work synergistically with each other, which is why we always blend a mix of maybe 3 or 4 oils, depending on what’s being treated and the preference of the client. Less is more though, and although they are natural they can still be harmful if used in the wrong way. To read more about essential oils click HERE
A carrier is anything that carries the essential oil into the body, usually a vegetable oil for massage like sunflower or grapeseed, but it could be your bath water, body lotion, or gel etc when using at home. To read more about carriers click HERE
So onto the products
Everything is oil based with as few ingredients as possible, our bodies have enough chemicals to deal with already. The only preservative I use is Vitamin E oil to help reduce oxidation and all of my products have a 6 to 12 month shelf life. I have a set range, the only fragrance I use comes from essential oils, and I make everything to order to ensure freshness and reduce waste. I also offer a bespoke service for those who need something more tailored to their needs. To see the full range and read more about the products click HERE
Contact me direct to order and for more details
07973 548858
vitalforcemail@gmail.com
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‘If you care about what you put in your body, you should care about what you put on your body’
Vital Force Naturals 