If you’ve ever used essential oils for any purpose, you will no doubt already be sold on their incredible healing and relaxing properties. Whether it’s chamomile, tea tree oil or lavender that you’ve used, you’ll understand how just a couple of drops can be most powerful in changing your mood, helping your body to heal and even using them to clean your home.
Lavender
Lavender has been used for centuries in bathing to assist with relaxation and healing. Even today, midwives still advise new mums to add a few drops of lavender essential oil to baths to aid with post natal healing. However, lavender isn’t only used for soothing for the body, but for the mind too, since it can help you to reach a deeply relaxed state, prompting sleep to follow closely. Recently, baby products have started to feature mild lavender scents too, in the hopes that relaxing baby will help him or her to have a better night’s sleep.
Tea tree oil
Often found in concealers or spot treatments, tea tree oil is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also for this reason that many facials or face masks contain tea tree oil too. However, other uses for tea tree oil include applying it to the hair of children in a bid to keep head-lice at bay or applying a drop or two to the coats of pets to help keep fleas away.
Eucalyptus
The most popular use of eucalyptus oil is as a decongestant. It’s the scent that is usually found in steam rooms at health clubs and spas, because when it is coupled with hot steam, it can help to relieve the symptoms of colds, flu and respiratory problems. It also serves as a great room fragrance when placed in a bowl of hot water and left to evaporate.
Rosemary
This is an oil that’s not always immediately thought of, but it’s benefits are endless. It’s been suggested that rosemary oil can help to strengthen your memory and therefore help with mental concentration. Next time that you have a big assessment or exam coming up, try inhaling a few drops before you begin. It’s also been suggested that adding rosemary oil to your shampoo or conditioner can increase hair growth and help to maintain shiny, healthy locks.
Whilst many aromatherapy essential oils do have household uses, they are primarily used for their ability to relieve tension, and uplift and refresh your mood. This is probably why many facial and massage treatments heavily feature a blend of essential oils that will be massaged into the skin to help to relax and unwind you, whilst your problems float away.
If your skin has been feeling a little fraught or fragile lately, then a hydrating facial might be just what you need. There are lots of different types of facial available which can target specific concerns, such as anti-ageing, brightening, aromatherapy or hydrating ones. Choosing the right facial for you is important so that you can be sure that the treatment you book will work effectively to give you the required results.
Aromatherapy facials work by removing dead skin cells, leaving you with a healthy glow. However, they can also assist with targeting problem areas that are prone to acne, thanks to the natural antibacterial agents found in many of the popular aromatherapy oils. As if that wasn’t beneficial enough, the scents or ‘aroma’ of the blend of essential oils used will also help to ease congestion and allow you to completely relax in order to enjoy your facial experience fully. Many of London’s top hotels offer a host of beauty treatments, including facials and massages that can be booked in advance. This works well to alleviate any symptoms of anxiety, as having a booked treatment can give you something positive to look forward to-counting down until the day arrives to completely lose all day to day stresses and strains.
The Montcalm spa London has a wide range of different treatments available that can assist with the prevention and treatment of dry skin problems. Simply advise the therapist that you book your appointment with which symptoms you have and they will be able to advise you on which treatment will work best for your individual circumstances. It’s also very important that you let your therapist know if you are pregnant or think that you might be. This is because some aromatherapy oils, such as lavender, are not safe for use in the first trimester, so always be sure to check before use.
Whilst the many different spa treatments London has to offer are all ultra-indulgent and effective, you can also recreate your facial experience at home. All you’ll need is a quiet bathroom, ultra fluffy towels, a few drops of your favourite essential oil and a couple of candles to create a soothing and warm ambience. Then, simply close the bathroom door and run a hot bath adding a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil to it, to instantly create your very own steam room. Essential oils can also be added to your moisturiser to massage in circular motions onto your skin when you get out of the bath. Another top beauty trick is to use rose water to tone your face after you have cleansed it, to close the pores and leave your skin smelling sweet and looking amazing. This is an ideal way of pampering yourself between spa treatments, and will help you to retain that chilled out feeling that you get following a relaxing beauty treatment.
