Monday 30 December 2013

Secret Tip #2 : Treating acne and acne scars simultaneously

If you are trying to treat both acne and acne scars simultaneously use 1/4 pump of tea tree and 1/4 pump of eucalyptus to your face cream. Although rosehip is very effective in treating scars and stretch marks, it aggravates acne.

Friday 27 December 2013

Secret Tip 1 : Acne & Dandruff

Did you know that most people who suffer from acne also suffer from dandruff? Good news! All you need is our certified organic tea tree oil. It treats both. Add 1 pump to your conditioner and 1/2 pump to your face cream. 

Wednesday 25 December 2013

What Exactly Makes Essential Oils Effective? : The lay-man's version

MANY BIG-BRAND NAME SKINCARE PRODUCTS USE SYNTHETIC VERSIONS OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS FOUND IN ESSENTIAL OILS.

CUT OUT THE MIDDLE-MAN. GO STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE. GO NATURAL. BE AUTHENTIC. USE ESSENTIALS OILS FOR SKINCARE.
Just be cautious choosing essential oils which are not organic. They may have been sprayed with chemical pesticides which will then end up being in the oils.

The whole principle behind the efficacy of essential oils on skin is the fact that essential unsaturated fatty acids (EUFA) a.k.a Vitamin F, are important to the human body. They are vital for repairing cell membranes. However, they cannot be synthesised by the body. They need to be ingested or topically applied. Essential oils are teeming with these unsaturated fatty acids. What makes different essential oils relevant for different skin ailments is their concentration of which fatty acids they have.
For example, the primary components of ylang-ylang oil, linalool and Germacrene D, are toxic to Propionibacterium bacteria. This bacteria is found in acne. So, applying ylang ylang to your skin is an excellent anti-acne medication. Geranium oil on the other hand is teeming with geraniol. Geranoil assists in building collagen fibres (the protein that is the main building block of bone, cartilage, tendon, and other connective tissues) in the skin. This means that it creates a regenerative action in these parts of the body, especially the skin, making it excellent for cellulite reduction and saggy skin.
To understand this more, view the University of Minnesota’s website at : (http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/aromatherapy/how-do-essential-oils-work)
Ylang ylang flowers

What Makes Essential Oils Perfect for Skincare?
Essential oils have extremely small molecules. There are approximately 40 million trillion molecules in one drop of essential oil. that's about 40,000 molecules for each cell in the average human body.
They are so small, that they are able to penetrate the epidermis and into the dermal layers of the skin. For this reason, they behave more like a serum than a cream. They not only trap moisture on the outer  layers of the skin but because they able to successfully penetrate into the dermal layers, they are able to improve the the deeper layers of your skin for long lasting effects.
Most skin care on
 the market use
synthetic versions of
the active ingredients
naturally occurring
 in essentials oils.
Furthermore, the chemical structure of plant sterols and human sterols is strikingly similar. Sterols are primary component of the outermost layer of human skin and functions like an optimal barrier.
Therefore sterols present in essential oils work in great harmony with human skin. They perform a multitude of functions like keeping structural integrity of cell membrane, reducing inflammation, improving skin metabolism process and moisture retention. 



Monday 23 December 2013

Why Are 'Real', Premium Grade Essential Oils So Expensive?

WARNING! USING LOW GRADE OR SYNTHETIC OILS ON YOUR SKIN CAN BE HARMFUL. USE ONLY CERTIFIED ORGANIC, PREMIUM GRADE OILS.

colouredoilssmall.jpg
NATURAL vs SYNTHETIC
Essential Oils = Natural
Fragrance Oils = Synthetic
Synthetic oils mimic the aroma of essential oils. Although cheaper they have absolutely no therapeutic benefit on the skin. This is because fragrance oils are synthetic versions with different structures and the body does not absorb them like natural molecules. In fact, synthetic oils can be harmful when applied to the skin causing irritation and rash.
Essential oil prices can fluctuate greatly because of crop conditions. For this reason some are reasonably priced while others seem excessive. Fragrance oils are cheaper and can be purchased in unlimited quantities because they do not depend on a crop harvest. A few essential oils are less expensive than their synthetically produced counterparts such as lemon, orange, pine and some lavender but they are also more volatile.
As its name suggest, fragrance oils only smell good. They will offer absolutely no therapeutic benefit.

So how can you tell if you’ve got the real thing?
  • Some people are genetically able to smell the difference.
  • If you are not one of these people – do the oil drop test. A drop of natural essential oil on paper will evaporate without leaving an oily residue.

GRADES of ESSENTIAL OILS
There are 4 Grades of Essential Oils
Grade A essential oils are pure and therapeutic quality. They are usually made from organically grown plants distilled at the proper temperatures using steam distillation
Environmental factors (where the plant is grown, soil type, fertilizer (organic vs. chemical), altitude, etc.) and physical factors (how and when the plant is harvested, distilled and bottled) also determine if an essential oil is of therapeutic quality.
• Grade B essential oils are food grade. They may contain synthetics, pesticides, fertilizers, chemical/synthetic extenders, or carrier oils.
• Grade C oils are perfume grade and may contain the same type of adulterating chemicals as food grade oils.
• Floral Water is a byproduct of the distillation process. It can be very high quality if it comes from a Grade A distillation process. Accordingly, a very low quality if it comes from poor quality raw materials and/or poor distillation processes. It is usually found in skin and hair products. This grade has no therapeutic qualities.

Some Evidence The Quality Of Essential Oils Makes A Difference
Not all essential oils are the same. A randomized, double-blind trial of essential oils from two different species of lavender, topically applied on post-cardiotomy patients revealed that the quality of the oil is an important factor in determining the efficacy of its use.
28 patients were randomly selected to receive aromatherapy massage with one of the two essential oils on two consecutive days, and their emotional and behavioral stress levels were evaluated both before and after the treatment.
The results revealed that the therapeutic effects of the two lavenders were clearly different; one was almost twice as effective as the other, thereby disproving the hypothesis that aromatherapy, using topical application of essential oils, is effective purely because of touch, massage or placebo.
[Source: Buckle J. Nurs Times (ENGLAND) May 19-25 1993, 89 (20) p32-5]

Why is it so Costly to Produce Therapeutic Grade Oil?
You need hundreds of pounds of material to make a pound of therapeutic grade oil. For instance it takes 30 to 60 roses to make one drop of pure therapeutic grade Rose oil.
It takes far less material to make synthetic or perfume grade oil. Therefore producing oils correctly and for therapeutic benefits is extremely time consuming and costly. The cost of the plants alone can be enough to discourage a company from producing them. The therapeutic grade essential oil is extremely concentrated and although the cost of the oil is more, we need far less and we can expect superior results.

Enfleurage is the most expensive extraction method and is the only one that won’t alter the chemical makeup (therefore, fragrance) of some botanicals such as lilac. As a result, commercial production of some essential oils is impractical.

Distillation and cold pressing methods yield liquid essential oils. The results of solvent extraction and enfleurage are resins and concretes--solids and semi-solids. Essential oils will dissolve in alcohol or oil and are volatile; evaporation dissipates their scents quickly (patchouli is one exception). A drop of pure, liquid essential oil on paper will disappear without leaving an oil spot when it is dry. You can use this easy test if you doubt the genuineness of an essential oil.

Sunday 22 December 2013

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS ON THE SKIN

I'm personally a fan of utilising essential oils not just for aromatherapy but for skin care as well. I wanted to share with you some easy methods on how I use them. Essential oils, the right ones anyway are truly multi-functional serums. 

In future posts, I will go though how I use individual essential oils and what they're good for. In the meantime, I hope you will try these methods out with the essential oils you are already using.



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In Face Cream
We like to keep it simple - Place the amount of face cream you would normally use in the palm of your clean hand. Add 1/2 pump or 1/4 pump (if your skin is sensitive) to your face cream. Rub your hands together, throughly mixing the essential oil to your face cream. Do not rub in, but pat formula gently onto face. Do this quickly to prevent the essential oil from evaporating.

In Body Moisturiser
Method 1:
Add 1/2 pump to oil-based body moisturiser (the amount you would use on your whole body) or 1 pump to water-based body moisturiser into a small mixing bowl and stir well. Smother generously onto the body. 
Water based body moisturisers are viscous and thin in texture. Oil based moisturisers are usually sold in tubs and are thick and creamy. Oil-based moisturisers make a better base when mixed with essential oils. So, less is required.
Method 2:
This method is appropriate for target treatment. For example, if you were treating cellulite on just your upper thigh : use 1/4 pump of lemongrass oil to the amount of moisturiser you would use on just your thighs. Mix in the palms of your hands by rubbing it together and applying quickly onto target area.

In a Hot Bath
Add 3-4 pumps into a fully drawn warm or hot bath with bath salts. The bath salts will break up the oils. If you are having a luxurious milk bath, bath salts are not necessary. The milk will break up the oils.
Alternatively, if you don't enjoy using bath salts, you can pre-mix the essential oils with 1/2 a glass of milk. This will also break-up the essential oils. Pour the milk-oil mixture into the bath.
Remember - Do not add the essential oils while the bath is being drawn as the essential oils will evaporate. Only add the oils just before you step into the bath.

As A Warm Compress
Add 1 pump of essential oil to a small bowl of warm water. Soak your hand towel into it and place onto forehead or infected cut.

Directly Onto Skin
Not all essential oils can be used directly onto skin as they can cause hypersensitivity. Carrier oils like Argan, Rosehip and Sweet Almond Oil are safe to use pure, directly onto skin or hair.
Lavender is the only essential oil that many essential oil encyclopaedias mention as safe to use directly onto skin. 
Rarely would we suggest using even small amounts dabbed directly onto skin. The exception would be Tea Tree onto acne and Lemongrass onto a cold-sore. Simply use a very small amount onto the tip of a cotton bud and dab (not rub) onto a stubborn pimple or cold-sore. It will kill the bacteria without drying out the surrounding skin like pharmacy bought pimple creams. Lemongrass oil is safe if accidentally ingested in small amounts. However, you need to be extra careful with Eucalyptus oil. It has been known to be toxic when ingested. This is one of the reasons we do not recommend its use on the face. Tea-tree is a better alternative.

In A Spritz Bottle
Add 2 pumps to 500ml of water in a spritz/spray bottle. Shake well before use. Use to scent your body or hair. Use Eucalyptus which is high in anti-bacterial qualities as a body spray to keep pimples, insects and other infections at bay.


massagesmall.jpgMassage
There are so many recipes for great massage oils. But we try and keep it simple. Simply add 1/2 pump of essential oil (tea tree, lmongrass, eucalyptus) to 3 pumps of carrier oil (rosehip, argan). About the house - olive oil can also be used as a carrier base. Please do not use baby oil as a base. It will defeat the purpose of using our certified organic, chemical free oils.
Baby oils are mineral oils (petroleum products) usually containing aloe vera extract, Vit E, acetate and fragrance. Mineral oils clog pores causing pimples, and contain chemicals which may be harmful to your skin.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

The Science Behind Why Essential Oils Work Made Simple.

LISTEN UP! We are about to make something that others say is complicated very simple. 
What makes essential oils different from other oils are their terpenes. A terpene is the primary organic compound found in essential oils. Each essential oil has different terpene constituents making them unique in their healing properties. These make our essential oils unique and gives them their healing properties.

Terpenes are very small. This means they can penetrate into the dermal layers of skin where larger molecules (found in normal moisturisers) cannot. There are three types of terpenes found in essential oils. Most Essential Unsaturated Fatty Acids (EUFA) fall under one of the 3 terpene types.  

terpene-chart.jpg

As mentioned in the previous post essential unsaturated fatty acids (EUFA) is the magic behind carrier oils . Below is a list of some of the more common EUFA, a.k.a Vitamen F, which are found in our carrier oils.


Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins formed from fatty acids under enzyme action within the cell, are important in catalyzing numerous processes. They are anti-inflammatory and have a bearing on overall cell development and growth.
Palmitric Acid
This does not fall in any of the categories above because it is a saturated fat. It is often found in nut oils like Argan and Sweet Almond Oil. You've heard of retinol-A? You know its great for the skin, but did you know that its molecules are open too big to penetrate past the dermal layers of the skin. Palmitric acid, once absorbed through the skin and into your blood steam gets converted into retinol-A. Palmitric acid also improved Vitamin A deficiencies.
Vitamin E
Importance of this fat soluble vitamin can’t be over emphasized. It destroys free radicals and is an antioxidant. It also protects Vitamin A levels and other essential fatty acids in the body. It is anti-inflammatory and gives strength to capillary walls. It prevents the evaporation of moisture from the epidermis of the skin. It acts as a barrier against aging of cells and promotes the nourishment of cells. Vitamin E is seen to be very helpful against scarring from wounds and stretch marks.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols or phenolic compounds, are natural components of most of plants which essential oils are extracted from. These compounds have the reputation of being anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-aging, anti-allergic and antioxidant.
Stearic Acid
Ever wondered why you have cleaning oils? How you can add oils to your face and yet cleanse it? This is beacuse of stearic acid. It reduces water tension making it possible for oil and water to combine. Working in conjunction with other fatty acids, it can lift impurities off your skin.
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is the most abundant phenolic compound present in Argan oil. Its antioxidant potency increases on exposure to ultra violet radiations, thus it is a very potent barrier against the damaging effects of ultra violet radiation. It is an important ingredient in anti-aging mixtures.
Our Argan is Australian
 Certified Organic
and ships worldwide
 for free.
Visit www.thelittleessentials.com
Carotenoids
Natural fat soluble carotenoids protect the skin from ultra violet radiation and free radical reactivity. They maintain healthy skin and are an effective barrier against arthritis.
Sterols
Chemical structure of plant sterols and human sterols is strikingly similar. Therefore sterols present in essential oils work in great harmony with human skin. They perform a multitude of functions like keeping structural integrity of cell membrane, reducing inflammation, improving skin metabolism process and moisture retention. Sterols are primary component of the outermost layer of human skin and functions like an optimal barrier. Sterols are very easily absorbable and penetrable
Oleic Acid (omega-9)
This comes under the monoterpene family and is a very healthy monounsaturated fat. It is a super-hydrator as this it penetartes very easily into the dermal layers of the skin trapping moisture. And once its in the blood steam, it acts as an anti-oxidant, destroying free radicals. The fewer free-radicals you have on yor skin, the slower you age.
Linalool is a monoterpinoid and a naturally occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in many flowers and spice plants. Vitamen E and linanyl acetate are by products of linalool. It is cytotoxic. WARNING : Linalool gradually breaks down when in contact with oxygen, forming an oxidized by-product that may cause allergic reactions such as eczema in susceptible individuals. Between 5–7% of patients undergoing patch testing in Sweden were found to be allergic to the oxidized form of linalool. Ways to minimize exposure include not buying large bottles of perfumed hygiene products, and replacing the lid after each use.
Linoleic Acid
Sebum itself does not protect skin. It is the linoleic acid found in sebum that actually guards and defends the skin against bacteria. People who suffer from acne usually have sebum low in linoleic content.

A Bit More Info About the 3 TERPENES - The primary organic compound of essential oils
Phenylpropanoids
Create conditions unfriendly to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Most importantly, they clean the receptor sites on our cells so that our cells can communicate (our hormonal system depends entirely upon clear communication throughout the body). Oregano oil contains 60% phenylpropanoids.
Monoterpenes
Monoterpenes can reprogram miswritten information in your DNA. For you with cancer, this is how the disease starts. One cell with damaged DNA produces another and onward. However, it is the group known as the sesquiterpenes that really give cancer a boot to the groin.
Sesquiterpenes
These molecules deliver oxygen to your tissues. Cancer, viruses, and bacteria have a hard time existing in an oxygenated environment. Whereas monoterpenes reprogrammed the misinformation in your DNA, sesquiterpenes erase the misinformation.

The Great Oil Debate : Do Skincare Products That Contain Oil Cause Acne? By Dianne Little


Logic dictates that if your face is oily avoid putting oils on it. Makes sense, but not true. Well, not entirely.

Let me introduce you to the word comedogenic – it means “a substance that tends to produce acne, such as by clogging pores”, according to Advanced English Dictionary.

There are 3 kinds of oils that can be applied to skin. They are mineral oils, carrier oils and essential oils. As its name suggests, mineral oils are by-products of minerals like coal and petroleum. The common baby oil is a mineral oil. It is comedogenic and absolutely must not be applied to the face, especially if it is acne prone. Carrier oils are made from the fatty part of plants, like its nuts or kernels. They are rich in unsaturated essentially fatty acids, many of which the skin desperately needs to stay healthy but is unable to be synthesize by the body. Finally essential oils are made from the non-fatty part of plants, such as flowers, barks, roots and leaves. They are not true oils because they do not contain fatty acids but are termed oils because they look like oils. Essentially, they are plant essences.

Cocoa butter (theobroma oil), coconut oil and wheat germ oil are carrier oils that are highly comedogenic. On the other hand, argan oil and pomegranate oil are carrier oils that are non-comedogenic. They rebalance oily skin and tame acne fare ups. Essentials oils generally do not clog pores but are unsuitable for direct skin application. They are extremely potent compounds that may result in skin sensitivities. They have to be diluted in water or carrier oils to be safety used. So, diluting it incorrectly could make your mixture comedogenic.

So, the trouble lies with mineral oils (baby oil) and carrier oils. Mineral oils are used in cheap massage blends. They can be safely used on the body but if you are prone to in-grown hairs, body pimples and rash you should avoid it like the plague. Frankly, in my book it should not even be used on babies.

Carrier oils on the other hand are less straightforward. Some of them are so good, you should not leave home without smothering it all over your hair, body, face, feet and nails. I’m referring to argan and pomegranate oils here. Others are good for certain parts of your body and have very specific skin repair functions. Here I’m talking about rosehip oil. It is slightly comedogenic on the face but is a must have when repairing scars, stretch marks and sun/age spots on the body. No other oil or compound has scar-repairing qualities like rosehip has.

Then you have carrier oils that generally should not be used on skin. Olive and coconut oil while great for protecting hair and giving it shine are too heavy for skin. They do not absorb well into the skin, leaving a thick oily residue. Rosehip, for example, while mildly comedogenic is a dry oil. It absorbs quickly into the skin. Argan on the other hand does not absorb into the skin as fast as rosehip but is not comedogenic at all. So, it is not necessarily the thickness of the oil that causes acne breakouts necessarily but the oils essential compounds.

So, in the case of using oils on skin, not knowing will hurt you. However, knowing the right pieces of information will leave skin so marvellously radiant, you will never understand why you every used any big-brand name cosmetic concoction in the first place.
Argan nuts used for oil
are  green and unroasted.
These are roasted nut.
The oil will be used for cooking. 

Let me safely promote argan and pomegranate oils for magnificent skin radiance. If you have a nut allergy opt for pomegranate. However, pomegranate has a mild citrus scent and may clash with perfume. That’s why I personally prefer argan oil. It is odourless and leaves skin sexy smooth.

I simply cannot stop raving about the great results argan has given my skin. Word of warning! Argan is a pricey rare oil. If you are buying something that is too cheap, it’s probably been diluted or adulterated. Furthermore, argan oil designed for hair is unsuitable for skin. They have added other ingredients to make it more affordable. Please shop for Argan oil that only has one ingredient in it – ARGAN OIL – you will not be disappointed!




Tuesday 17 December 2013

Essential Oil Fabulosity : Did you know …?


  •                        Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, swore by frankincense and jasmine oil to keep her looking young and radiant.

  •             It can take up to 6 dozen flowers to make just one drop of premium essential oil.

  •             The right essential oil (e.g tea tree oil and argan oil) on your face will actually prevent and clear acne.

  •                  Essential oils are skin serums. They penetrate into layers of the skin moisturisers cannot.

  •             Vanilla is not only the second most expensive crop in the world to harvest, its oil smells great and has extremely potent anti-oxidant qualities when applied to skin.