Why adopt natural treatments with essential oils in summer?
Summer is a season we eagerly await, but it can also be a real challenge for our skin: sunburn, dehydration, overheated skin, and heavy legs are all common ailments. Fortunately, it's possible to soothe and revitalize our skin naturally with essential oils, true summer allies.
In this article, I invite you to discover 3 easy and effective DIY aroma recipes to make at home, based on natural ingredients and essential oils with recognized virtues.
Whether you're a fan of homemade products or curious to discover the world of natural summer care, you'll find simple, economical solutions here that are immediately beneficial for your well-being.
Prepare your bottles, and let yourself be guided towards a natural and sensory summer routine, for soothed, radiant and vitality-filled skin.
4 essential oils for a natural summer routine
True lavender: soothing and healing
This essential oil is one of the most gentle and versatile. Rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, two molecules from the monoterpenol and ester family, it has anti-inflammatory, calming, and skin-regenerating properties.
Desired effects after sun:
- Soothes redness, relieves burning sensations, promotes regeneration of skin tissue.
Exfoliating advantage:
- Perfect for sensitive or reactive skin. Its floral fragrance invites relaxation.
Practical advice:
- You can apply it locally (1 drop on a minor burn) or integrate it into alpe vera gel for use on the whole body.
Precautions for use:
- Not recommended for pregnant women less than 3 months pregnant
- Prohibited for infants under 3 months
Rose Geranium: anti-inflammatory and healing
Perfect in synergy with lavender, this essential oil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and healing effects. Composed mainly of geraniol and citronellol, it promotes skin regeneration, while providing a pleasant and balancing floral scent.
Desired effects after sun:
- Reduces inflammation, soothes redness, regulates sebum production.
Practical advice:
- Ideal for skin prone to irritation or small lesions after long sun exposure.
Precautions for use:
- Prohibited for pregnant women less than 3 months
- Prohibited for children under 3 years old
- Dilute with vegetable oil
Lemon: energizing and invigorating
Derived from the zest of the fruit, lemon essential oil is a valuable ally in summer. Very rich in limonene with powerful antiseptic, toning, purifying, and slightly astringent properties, it supports the skin's radiance while offering a detoxifying effect.
Exfoliating advantage:
- Brightens the complexion, refines skin texture and provides an invigorating note.
Practical advice:
- Ideal for dull skin or skin prone to summer imperfections.
Caution:
- Prohibited for pregnant women less than 3 months
- Prohibited for children under 1 year old
- Dilute before applying to the skin
- Do not apply to skin before sun exposure, as lemon oil is photosensitizing.
Peppermint: invigorating and refreshing
Rich in menthol, this oil is invigorating, refreshing, and stimulates circulation. This molecule activates the cold receptors present on the skin and mucous membranes, inducing an immediate sensation of freshness.
Freshness asset:
- Perfect for heavy legs, hot flashes and tired areas.
Practical advice:
- Use in the morning or after a hot day for an immediate ice cube effect.
Caution:
- Dilute before applying to the skin
- Avoid application near eyes and mucous membranes
- Prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 7 years old
- Not recommended for people with epilepsy.
3 DIY recipes with essential oils for summer
Recipe: DIY “After-Sun Caress” Restorative Oil
After a day of sun exposure, skin needs soothing, hydration, and repair. True lavender essential oil and rose geranium essential oil, with their regenerative properties, are ideal for nourishing and repairing overheated skin.
Ingredients (for a 50 ml bottle):
- 45 ml of aloe vera gel
- 2 drops of true lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of rose geranium essential oil
Preparation :
- In an amber glass bottle, pour the vegetable oil.
- Add the essential oils drop by drop.
- Close, then shake gently to homogenize the mixture.
Use :
- Apply a small amount to your body after showering, on clean, slightly damp skin. Massage gently until completely absorbed.
Conservation :
- Store in the refrigerator. Use within 3 months.
Caution:
- Do not use in children or pregnant women under 3 months.
- Always test skin tolerance before application.
Recipe: Natural Body Scrub
In summer, body scrubs are essential for maintaining an even tan, stimulating circulation, and promoting the absorption of after-sun care products. This simple homemade scrub recipe with sea salt and essential oils combines gentle exfoliation, skin toning, and aromatic freshness.
Why exfoliate your skin during the summer?
Sun, sweat, sand and sunscreen tend to clog pores and promote the buildup of dead skin cells.
A weekly scrub allows you to:
- Smooth the skin texture
- Prevent ingrown hairs
- Enhance and prolong your tan
- Stimulate microcirculation for better skin oxygenation.
Ingredients (for 1 body treatment):
- 3 tablespoons of fine salt or Epsom salt
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba vegetable oil
- 2 drops of essential oil of your choice (True Lavender or Lemon)
Preparation :
- In a bowl, mix the salt with the vegetable oil.
- Add the drops of essential oil, mix again.
- Use immediately or store in a small airtight container away from heat.
Use :
- In the shower, apply the scrub to wet skin in circular motions, paying particular attention to rough areas (elbows, knees, heels).
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Use 1 to 2 times per week maximum.
Trick :
- For a spa effect at home, then apply your “after-sun caress” oil.
Caution:
- Do not use on damaged or irritated skin.
- Avoid sun exposure after use if you have used lemon essential oil.
Recipe: “Summer Freshness” Body Mist
In summer, there's nothing more pleasant than a light, invigorating spray to refresh the body, stimulate the senses, and neutralize perspiration odors. This natural body mist with peppermint and lemon essential oils is ideal for hot days, after exercise, or during a long car ride. Simple to prepare, it combines intense freshness, vitality, and skin well-being.
Ingredients (for 50 ml of spray):
- 45 ml of peppermint hydrosol
- 2 ml of 70° alcohol (or organic vodka) to stabilize the formula
- 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Preparation :
- Pour the alcohol into a tinted glass spray bottle.
- Add the essential oils. Shake.
- Complete with hydrosol.
- Shake before each use.
Use :
- Spray from 20 cm onto the skin (arms, legs, neck), avoiding the face.
- Use at any time of day whenever you feel the need for freshness.
Conservation :
- Store in the refrigerator for an even fresher effect. Use within one month.
Caution:
- Do not spray on the face, eyes or mucous membranes.
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 essential oil diluted in vegetable oil 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 consult 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 primary player in your health.
- Beware of photosensitizing oils : Some essential oils, such as citrus oils (lemon, bergamot, grapefruit), can cause skin burns or 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 your doctor.
To conclude...
With these simple and effective essential oil recipes, you now have all the tools you need to create your own natural summer skincare routine. Whether it's to repair skin after sun exposure, gently exfoliate, or refresh the body at any time of day, each recipe showcases the aromatic and skin-loving benefits of essential oils.
Aromatherapy is a valuable resource for taking care of yourself differently, by listening to the needs of your skin, body and mind.
Remember to follow the dosages and precautions, and always do a skin test before using for the first time. And above all, take advantage of the summer to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most... naturally.
References
Books
- Kaibeck, J. (2017). Adopt slow cosmetics. Leduc Editions.
- Baudoux, D. (2010). For intelligent cosmetics: essential and vegetable oils. Amyris Editions.
- Couic Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Terre Vivante guide to essential oils. Terre Vivante Editions.
Thesis
- Veyrune, P. (2019). Place of essential oils in dermo-cosmetics (PhD thesis in pharmacy). University of Clermont Auvergne. Retrieved from https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-02415280v1/file/VEYRUNE%20Pauline.%20Th%C3%A8se%20d%27exercice%202019.pdf
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment, nor 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.
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