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Here is a quick guide to which essential oils to select when dealing with skin problems. Combine or use alone depending on your conditions and symptoms and dilute to the recommended 2% with carrier oil. 

Please note this is a quick reference guide.

ACNE
Red face - Chamomile
Pustules - Tea tree
Scarring - Frankincense, Lavender

BOILS
Chamomile

BURNS
Lavender

DERMATITIS
Chamomile
Geranium
Lavender

ECZEMA
Skin cracked and weeping - Lavender, Frankincense
Sensitive to touch - Geranium, Lavender
Itching, burning or hot - Chamomile
Weeping - Lavender
Dry - Geranium with Sandalwood

ITCHY
Peppermint & Lavender in a bath

NETTLE RASH
Chamomile

PSORIASIS
Bergamot
Geranium
Lavender

SKIN
Blotches - Geranium
Broken veins - Neroli
Chapped - Sandalwood, Benzoin
Cracked - Patchouli, Frankincense
Inflamed - Chamomile
Mature - Juniper, rose
Normal - Geranium
Oily - Cedarwood
Sensitive - Chamomile, rose

Here are general cautions with regards to essential oils for children, babies and infants.

Babies and infants should only be treated with certain essential oils and along with children require a smaller amount of oils than an adult.

• Babies 0-12 months

1 drop of Lavender or Chamomile essential oil can be used:

• In a compress
• Room fragrancer
• Diluted with 15ml of carrier oil such as Sweet almond or Grapeseed oil

• Infants 1-6 years

1-3 drops of Tea tree, Lavender or Chamomile oil can be used as above

• Children 7-12 years
  

50% of drops used for adults

Citrus Sinensis

Orange Essential oil is expressed from the peel and is a golden yellow colour with a sweet fruity aroma.

Orange essential oil is useful for the digestive and circulatory system as well as uplifting emotions.

It can help ease constipation, treating palpitations and reducting blood cholestorol.

Orange is also good for insomnia and can be alternated with Lavender essential oil or blended together.

Orange is also associated with Cinnamon and Clove for a festive fragrance and good to use around the home.

Orange essential oil only £2.39

Recently I came across 2 articles outlining the dangers of chemicals in our cosmetics, such as parabens which I thought I would share with you.

• Whats really in what we put on our skin.

• Parabens Chemical everyday items 

If you are not familiar with "parabens" they are listed on the back of ingredients as Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Heptylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben etc.

I initially became interested in paraben free creams and skincare about 5 years ago after reading an article of similar findings and I was alarmed to think how many products on a daily basis I used which have many hidden chemicals.  You only have to look on the back of a bottle of skin cream to see the endless list of ingredients which we can hardly pronounce never mind know what they are.

This is why I initially set up Simply Essential as I wanted to offer lower cost more natural options as there was and still is little option out there and certainly not on the high street.

I'm sure many of the commercial outlets will soon jump on the band wagon as people become more savvy about their products and they will triple the price of a face cream and brand it as a natural product but there is no need to pay that for a good cream.

Paraben free cream.

Here are 30 everyday uses for essential oils.

1. Potpourri which has lost its scent can be revived by adding a few drops of essential oil.
2. Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
3. To dispel household cooking smells, add a few drops of Clove oil to a simmering pan.
4. Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemary or Lavender essential oil onto the back of your neck.
5. Add 10 drops of essential oil to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix very well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets on and vacuum after an hour or so.  
6. Shoes can be freshened by either dropping a few drops of Geranium essential oil directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes. For Athlete's foot use Tea Tree oil.
   
7. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Pine oils are nice. Rose Geranium helps with pet odours.
8. To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a good scent dabbed on a cotton ball into a discreet corner.
9. To get rid of mice, place several drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place at problem locations.
10. Apply 1 or 2 drops of Lavender oil or Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches to help healing.
11. Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with the flowers and herbs.
12. An essential oil dropped onto a radiator scent ring will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but will also set a mood such as calming or uplifting.
    
13. To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic pests, drop a few drops of Citronella oil on a melting candle.
14. Apply 1 drop of Lemon essential oil daily directly to a wart to irradicate.
    
15. Rosemary oil promotes alertness and stimulates memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.
16. Geranium oil sprinkled throughout the home creates a warm, cheerful and inviting mood.
    
17. Add Cinnamon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.
18. Infuse bookmarks and stationery with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma.
    
19. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of Vetivert, Cypress, Cedarwood, Frankincense and Myrrh  oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire, smells wonderful.
20. Flies and moths dislike Lavender oil. Sprinkle it on the outside of your window frames.
21. Place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils such as Chamomile or Lavender on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.
22. One drop of Lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with a gentle buffing.
23. When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, or Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.
24. For burms or scalds, drop Tea Tree oil directly on the effected area.
25. Six to eight drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.
26. Place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary oil on your hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.
27. To bring a fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oils have been added.
28. A blend of Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot alleviates anxiety and depression. Use in a room diffuser or 6-8 drops of this blend in the bath.
29. A massage blend for babies is 1 drop Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond oil.
30. For nice smelling towels, sheets, clothes, etc. place a few drops of your favourite essential oil onto a small tea towel and pop into the clothes dryer while drying.