The Power of Essential Oils
At Provenance Skincare we are firm believers in the power of essential oils and it is for this reason they can be found in almost all of our products. We also stock only the finest and purest locally sourced essential oils, ensuring that a little goes a long way. Keep reading to find out which oils are the right choice for your unique needs and can help to leave you looking and feeling great!
Lavender Essential Oil
This is the world's most cherished essential oil, and it's no wonder because not only does lavender smell wonderful but it also supports overall health and wellness in so many ways. It is well known for it's calming and relaxing qualities and due to it's versatility and soothing properties, lavender oil is a must-have for every household.
Lavender has traditionally been known to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need. It has always been revered for it's ability to help everything from anxiety to flatulence! When it comes to rashes, insect stings, inflammation or sunburn, lavender is the essential oil to reach for as it has an instant calming and soothing effect. It is also used to aid with scarring and stretch marks.
Rosemary Essential Oil
The rosemary plant was regarded as sacred by many civilizations of the world. It was used as a fumigant to drive away infectious diseases and to protect against plagues and evil spirits.
Rosemary is highly analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant. It is used in shampoos to assist with the problem of hair loss, strengthening the hair follicles and strands and preventing the hair from breaking and splitting. Due to it's astringent properties, rosemary oil will also help to balance oily hair.
In aromatherapy, research indicates that by inhaling rosemary oil, a brain chemical that is important for thinking is strengthened, thereby helping with concentration and memory. With massage, pain from muscular stress can be eased and soothed and when inhaled, rosemary oil can help to calm anxiety and nervousness, especially with regards to examination stress. Poor circulation in hands, feet and limbs can be relieved with regular massage using diluted rosemary oil.
Rose Geranium Essential Oil
In the 1600s, gardeners would plant geraniums around their houses to keep evil spirits at bay. Today, here in South Africa, you will find them at the front and back doors of farmhouses to keep snakes away.
Geranium oil is used to help with the symptoms of many skin ailments including acne, eczema, dry spots, inflammation, and to assist with the detoxification and balancing the sebum to keep skin supple.
Aromatherapy uses include the balancing of hormones, easing nervous tension and stress and the lifting of spirits.
Orange Essential Oil
Cold pressed orange oil is used in skin care to help maintain a healthy, clear and smooth looking skin while reducing acne and other skin conditions. Used in a carrier oil to massage feet and limbs, it is believed to help with blood circulation and increase blood flow.
In aromatherapy, orange oil is thought to bring peace and happiness to the mind and joy to the heart, helping with depression and anxiety. It is used in massage to relieve constipation, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Orange oil can cause photosensitivity to skin so avoid direct sunlight for 12 hours after intense use.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Besides it's superb fragrance qualities, lemongrass oil has many benefits and has been used for infectious illnesses and fever, as an insecticide and as a sedative.
It helps with many skin conditions such as acne, assists with skin purification, can work as an antioxidant by fighting free radicals which cause stress to the skin, and as a soothing and calming influence at bed time to help with sleep disorders.
Lemon Peel Essential Oil
It requires approximately 3000 lemons to produce a single litre of oil. Lemon oil has for centuries been used for countless ailments such as scurvy, the lowering of blood pressure as well as the soothing of arthritis and muscular aches and pains.
It is also used as an air disinfectant and to alleviate cold symptoms and reduce fevers. It has anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties which helps clear up skin breakouts as it can kill bacteria trapped in the pores. Lemon oil also helps to brighten a dull complexion by removing dead skin cells.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
In it's native habitat of Australia, aboriginal people have been using tea tree leaves for generations for the healing of cuts, wounds and skin infections. It's antiseptic power is legendary as it it known to have 12 times the strength of phenol in it's immune-building properties.
It's uses are numerous and varied and include assisting with athletes foot, rashes, skin healing, sunburn, acne, boils, cold sores, fungal infections, insecticide, warts, and viral infections. Skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis have been known to improve with the help of regular applications of diluted tea tree oil.