We are always on the lookout for ways and means to achieve perfect, gorgeous skin. I mean, who enjoys looking in the mirror to see a dull, lacklustre face staring back at us?
Loss of Radiance & Whom it Affects
A dull face signifies a loss of that healthy glow on your face. Dull skin is a result of excess dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin. Your skin can lose its natural luminosity because of dryness, insufficient water intake, damaged skin cells or slow cell turnover. This makes your skin feel rough and bumpy. This can affect anyone, not just the older folks.
So in our never-ending quest to look our best and avoid looking like a cast member on the ‘Walking Dead’ drama, we religiously follow our daily skincare routine, we faithfully visit our dermatologists for our monthly facial treatments, and DIY our own masks as further supplements.
It is not that difficult to combat dull skin. One way to pamper your skin is by using essential oils. Essential oils are completely natural, plant-based substances extracted from different plant parts, such as the leaves, flowers and fruit. The extraction process can often be tedious, time-consuming and costly, thus these oils are considered as precious, rare and expensive. Essential oils are not just a fantastic way to brighten up your mood through aromatherapy — they can also be utilised in your regular skincare routine. Imagine enjoying your own spa session without having to step out of the house.
Best Essential Oils for Skin Brightening
1. Lemon Essential Oil
We are all aware of the wonders of lemon’s astringent properties. Lemon is a natural source of vitamin C, an ingredient commonly used to lighten sun and age spots and even out the skin tone. If you are looking to brighten up your skin or treat hyperpigmented skin, lemon essential oil is your best bet. Containing limonene and citric acid, lemon essential oil helps to treat skin discolourations, protects against skin cancer, lightens the skin, removes dead skin cells and stimulates cell turnover.
2. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Each sandalwood tree, from which the oil is extracted, takes 50 to 60 years to mature. Talk about hard to get! The sandalwood trees are then cut down to extract the oil through steam distillation. Sandalwood oil has a calming and harmonising effect on the mind and the skin. It is used in various skin creams because of its hydrating and moisturising properties, which help to make the skin soft and smooth. Applying sandalwood essential oil, mixed with a carrier oil, on the skin helps with hyperpigmentation, discolourations and brightens up a dull face.
3. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil, like lemon essential oil, contains limonene, which helps to treat skin discolouration and hyperpigmentation. It removes impurities from the skin, clears skin congestion and makes the skin appear vibrant and clear. Suitable for all skin types, you can also add lemongrass essential oil with other essential oils, like lavender, lemon and geranium, to further enhance its skin brightening effect.
Best Essential Oils for Acne-Prone Skin
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Ah, the calming scent of lavender that has helped many insomnia sufferers go to bed with a peace of mind. Often used as a spray mist or as a drink, lavender contains powerful antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help with your acne battles when you use the essential oil on your skin. Just a whiff of this scent is enough to calm down your nerves — imagine what it can do for your stressed skin!
2. Geranium Essential Oil
Geraniums contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. Using the geranium essential oil, you can kill off germs and bacteria on your skin that cause outbreaks, eczema and skin rashes. As it is also antimicrobial and antibiotic in nature, this essential oil can help to rid the body of free radicals before and when they cause infection. Geranium essential oil may also help prevent breakouts by regulating your skin’s sebum production.
3. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang ylang has antimicrobial and astringent properties, making it one of the go-to essential oils to use for people with acne-prone skin. Other benefits include: Balancing excess oil production in the skin, soothing skin irritations and treating skin wounds.
4. Chamomile Essential Oil
One of the most popular herbal teas around, chamomile has long been touted as the tea to drink if you want to calm your mind and to sleep well at night. As an essential oil, chamomile is able to promote smooth, healthy skin and relieves irritations due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.