After winter, our skin often appears dull, tired, and lacking vitality. The cold, wind, lack of light, and dry air tend to slow microcirculation, thicken the epidermis, and dull the complexion. The result: a less luminous face, drawn features, and a feeling of rough or dehydrated skin. Spring is the perfect time to renew your skin and revive your complexion's natural radiance.
Thanks to regenerating and toning essential oils, it is possible to restore radiance to the skin, smooth its texture, even out the complexion, and stimulate cell production in a gentle and natural way. Combined with nourishing plant oils, they create truly homemade beauty treatments that respect both the skin and the environment.
In this article, I invite you to discover how to use essential oils for the face in spring.
Why does skin lose its radiance in winter?
In winter, facial skin is exposed to multiple stresses that alter its natural radiance. Between the cold, wind, indoor heating, and lack of light, the complexion often becomes dull and uneven, and the skin loses its suppleness and luminosity. Understanding the causes of this loss of radiance is essential for adopting a suitable skincare routine as soon as spring arrives.
Cold and dry air weaken the skin barrier
Low temperatures, combined with wind and reduced humidity, weaken the skin's hydrolipidic barrier. It then retains less water, leading to dehydration, tightness, and discomfort. The skin becomes drier, rougher, and sometimes even flaky, which visually accentuates a dull complexion.
A slowdown in cell renewal
Skin metabolism naturally slows down in winter. Epidermal cell renewal is slower, leading to a buildup of dead cells on the skin's surface. This makes the complexion appear less even and more uneven, and pores can become clogged more easily.
Less active blood circulation
Cold weather causes vasoconstriction, or a narrowing of blood vessels. Skin microcirculation slows, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients essential for skin vitality. This decreased circulation also contributes to a loss of radiance, more pronounced dark circles, and a visible feeling of fatigue on the face.
Lack of light also affects the skin
The decrease in sunshine in winter affects not only mood but also skin quality. Reduced exposure to natural light disrupts certain biological processes, such as the production of vitamin D, which plays a role in overall skin health. The result: a duller complexion, less toned skin, and an overall more tired appearance.
3 radiance-boosting essential oils
Egyptian rose geranium: toning and regenerating for dull skin
Egyptian rose geranium essential oil is particularly renowned for its balancing and toning effects on the skin. Rich in esters and monoterpenols, it regulates sebum production, stimulates skin circulation, and promotes cell regeneration. It is ideal for dull, tired, as well as combination or mature skin.
Practical tip : Dilute 1 drop of Egyptian rose geranium essential oil in 5 ml of light vegetable oil (such as jojoba). This 1% dilution is ideal for daily use on the face, even for sensitive or reactive skin. Apply a few drops of this synergy in the evening to clean, slightly damp skin.
Caution : prohibited for pregnant women under 3 months – prohibited for children under 3 years old – dilute with vegetable oil.
Bois de Hô: gently unifying and firming
Similar in composition to rosewood, Ho wood essential oil contains a high proportion of linalool, a monoterpenol with regenerative, purifying, and firming properties. It promotes clear, even, and toned skin. Its gentleness makes it an ideal choice, even for sensitive skin.
Practical advice : add 5 drops of Ho wood essential oil to 50 ml of hydrosol (rose, lavender or orange blossom), for a revitalizing mist.
Caution : not recommended for pregnant women under 3 months – prohibited for infants under 3 months.
True lavender: soothing for reactive skin
True lavender essential oil is a must-have for skin aromatherapy. Thanks to its rich content of linalool and linalyl acetate, it soothes redness, gently regenerates, and promotes healing. It is ideal for skin sensitized by the cold, prone to tightness, or blemishes.
Practical tip : Add 1 drop of true lavender essential oil to 5 ml of soothing vegetable oil (such as calendula) for a restorative evening treatment after exposure to wind, cold, or skin stress. Apply a few drops to a clean, slightly damp face, massaging gently.
Caution : not recommended for pregnant women under 3 months – prohibited for infants under 3 months.
Healthy glow recipe for spring
“Spring Glow” Serum
This recipe combines plant oils with invigorating, regenerating, and soothing essential oils. Applied every evening to clean, slightly damp skin, this spring serum supports cell regeneration while restoring suppleness and radiance to the skin.
Ingredients :
- 7 ml of jojoba or apricot kernel vegetable oil
- 1 ml of tamanu vegetable oil
- 1 drop of Egyptian rose geranium essential oil
- 1 drop of Ho wood essential oil
- 1 drop of true lavender essential oil
Preparation :
- Mix the essential oils with the vegetable oils in a 10 ml dropper bottle.
Use :
- Apply 2 to 3 drops of this serum to a clean, slightly damp face (ideally after a mist or hydrosol). Gently massage from the center of the face outward, using circular motions. This action activates microcirculation and promotes the penetration of active ingredients.
Precautions :
- Always respect the dosages recommended for cutaneous use (here approximately 2% essential oils).
“Spring Velvet” Scrub
To revive your complexion's radiance this spring, there's nothing like a gentle yet effective natural facial scrub. This treatment helps remove dead skin cells accumulated during the winter, smooth skin texture, and stimulate microcirculation. Incorporating a suitable essential oil into this routine can enhance its benefits while respecting the skin's balance.
Ingredients :
- 1 tablespoon of almond powder
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of jojoba or apricot vegetable oil
- 1 drop of Egyptian rose geranium essential oil
Preparation :
- Mix the ingredients in a small bowl.
Use :
- On clean, slightly damp skin, apply the scrub in gentle circular motions, avoiding the eye area. Gently focus on the T-zone if necessary. Rinse with warm water, then finish with a mist or hydrosol to soothe and tone.
- Perform this scrub once or twice a week, depending on your skin type: once a week for sensitive or dry skin; twice a week for normal to combination skin.
Precautions :
- Do not use grains that are too coarse or abrasive (such as salt) to avoid micro-damage to the skin. Avoid rubbing too hard on sensitive areas or in cases of redness.
“Bright Dew” Mist
In spring, skin needs freshness, lightness, and hydration to regain its radiance. A homemade facial mist with essential oils is a simple, natural, and sensory way to awaken the complexion each morning, soothe redness, and prepare the skin for its skincare. Easy to incorporate into a daily routine, it combines the benefits of hydrosols and essential oils in a single bottle.
Ingredients :
- 50 ml of Damask rose, true lavender or orange blossom hydrosol (your choice, depending on your skin type)
- 5 drops of Ho wood essential oil
Preparation :
- Mix the essential oil with the hydrosol in a 50 ml bottle.
Use :
- Shake the bottle before each use to evenly disperse the essential oil. Spray the mist onto a clean face morning and evening, from a distance of approximately 20 cm, with your eyes closed. You can also apply it with a cotton pad or gently pat it in with your hands to work in the excess. This revitalizing mist can also be used during the day to refresh the complexion or lightly set natural makeup.
Precautions:
- Always shake the bottle before each use to ensure even distribution of essential oils. Do not spray directly into the eyes or mucous membranes.
Seasonal tips to awaken skin's radiance
The change of season is a key time to adjust your beauty routine and adopt new habits. With the arrival of spring, your skin needs special attention to regain suppleness, radiance, and vitality. Here are some natural, season-appropriate tips to support your skin from the inside and out.
Adapting your skincare routine in spring
In winter, skin craves rich textures to protect itself from the cold. In spring, it's time to lighten up on skincare while focusing on revitalizing active ingredients.
Favor:
- gentle, non-stripping cleansers, so as not to alter the skin barrier;
- light exfoliations, once or twice a week, to boost radiance;
- light serums and oils, enriched with toning and regenerating essential oils;
- hydrosols or mists to hydrate without weighing down.
These simple actions help the skin to oxygenate, renew itself and radiate naturally.
Support skin radiance from within
Glowing skin also requires a healthy lifestyle. To revive your complexion's radiance, it's essential to:
- drink enough water to promote cellular hydration;
- consume foods rich in antioxidants (red fruits, citrus fruits, green vegetables) to fight free radicals;
- stock up on vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3, essential for healthy skin;
- promote restful sleep to allow the skin to regenerate naturally.
Spring is a season of renewal: it's the perfect time to relaunch your skin's natural functions, regain freshness and reveal your radiance with simple, regular and sensory gestures.
General precautions for the use of essential oils
To take full advantage of these synergies, follow these tips:
- Specific diffusion precautions : Do not diffuse for more than 30 minutes per session to avoid saturating the air. Use a diffuser appropriate for the size of your room.
- Dilution : Dilute essential oils before skin application to avoid irritation.
- Tolerance test : Before use, carry out a skin tolerance test by applying a small amount of the diluted synergy to the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours to check for an allergic reaction.
- Do not use in children, pregnant or breastfeeding women without medical advice : It is imperative to consult the essential oils sheet and seek the advice of a health professional before any use in these specific cases.
- Precautions for medical conditions : People suffering from chronic illnesses (asthma, epilepsy, hypertension, etc.) should consult their doctor before using essential oils, as some may have adverse effects or be contraindicated with their treatment. Your doctor is the only person responsible for your health.
- Beware of photosensitizing oils : Some essential oils, such as citrus oils (lemon, bergamot, grapefruit), can cause burns or skin spots if exposed to the sun after application. Do not use them before direct sun exposure.
- Avoid mucous membranes and eyes : Essential oils can cause severe irritation. In case of accidental contact, rinse thoroughly with a carrier oil, not water. Consult a doctor.
With the arrival of spring, it's essential to give your skin a real boost. After the cold, dull, and dehydrating months, it needs to breathe, regenerate, and regain its natural radiance. Thanks to essential oils to revive the complexion's radiance, it's possible to illuminate the face while respecting its sensitivity.
By combining them with plant oils suitable for the face and homemade treatments (gentle scrub, hydrating mist, healthy glow serum), you offer your skin a complete, simple, natural and sensory ritual. These spring treatments help boost microcirculation, even out the complexion and support cell renewal.
Remember that for a luminous complexion, radiance also comes from within: good hydration, a diet rich in antioxidants and quality sleep effectively complete your beauty routine.
Spring is the perfect season to reconnect with fresh, vibrant, and radiant skin.
References
Books:
- Kaibeck, J. (2017). Adopt slow cosmetics. Leduc.s Editions.
- Baudoux, D. (2010). For intelligent cosmetics: essential and vegetable oils. Amyris Editions.
University thesis:
- Veyrune, P. (2019). Place of essential oils in dermo-cosmetics (PhD thesis in pharmacy). University of Clermont Auvergne.
View online (PDF)
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
Leave a comment