Summer presents its own skin hazards with blistering days and hot sun that can make skin dry, burn, or peel after a sunburn. Even protecting skin with sunscreen isn't without its risks. One of the most important things during summer is to make sure skin is kept moisturized and that any burns are cared for.
Moisturizing Oils
Commercial skin products use synthetic ingredients to moisturize skin, add elasticity, and provide a smooth, creamy texture that only the finest skin care products can provide.
Little do their commercials and salespeople know that the finest in skin care products don't do half as well as simple, natural oils from nuts and seeds. Almond oil or extra virgin olive provide as much nourishment and moisture to the skin as the best lotions and moisturizers.
The fats in natural, cold-pressed oils merge with the skin's own oils to give a soft, smooth texture. When cold pressed, pure oils also have antibacterial properties that protect the skin's surface.
Some of the best natural oils for dry summer skin include:
- almond oil
- avocado oil
- castor oil
- coconut oil
- jojoba oil
- extra virgin olive oil
- rosehip seed oil
- shea butter
Some of these oils are liquid at room temperature, while others (like coconut oil and shea butter) have a solid, buttery texture that makes them suitable as more portable lotions that won't spill or leak during travel but dissolve readily into the skin.
Essential Oils Add Scent, Soothing Properties to Skin
Essential oils make a nice addition to any natural oil body lotion – not only because they have wonderful, potent scents but for their healing properties. Essential oils are liquids pressed from herbs and other plants that can be used for their medicinal properties or as healthy, natural perfumes.
- Essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, melaleuca, lavender and eucalyptus are astringent, cooling and cleansing, making them soothing relief for dry, sunburned skin.
- Sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, and juniper are denser, moisturizing oils that nourish the skin.
- Lemon, orange, and other citrus oils are antibacterial, cleansing and purifying. These oils help eliminate acne but should be used with care – if exposed to direct sunlight within 24-48 hours, they can cause discoloration and burns.
Essential Oils to Protect Against Sunburn Damage
Certain essential oils, including frankincense and sandalwood, have been researched for their antitumoral and immunostimulant properties. These oils fight cancer growth and repair sun damage to the DNA of skin cells, making them the ideal treatment for sunburns or darkly tanned skin.
Essential oils can be combined with olive oil or another edible oil before being applied to the skin, or they can be layed on – oils first, followed by almond or castor oil to seal the healing properties in.
Sources
- Essential Science Publishing (compiled by), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Edition. USA, Essential Science Publishing, 2001.
- Stewart, David, "Healing Oils of the Bible," That's Life! Communications, USA, 2003.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
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