In astronomical terms, the beginning of summer can be defined very precisely: it begins on the summer solstice, which this year takes place on June 20 (today). I am a big believer in moving through life in accordance with the rhythms and cycles of nature. And so, when we reach the summer season, we often need to start thinking about a very different skincare routine from that of our winter routine – so that we connect with the natural world and the seasons of Mama Earth.
Summer in particular can bring challenges such as excessive oiliness or sunburned dryness, and our skin can lack hydration, causing premature aging and wrinkles. While there are so many benefits to some sun exposure – like replenishing our vitamin D and improving our mental-emotional health – summer is also generally a time when our skin can take a beating – if we’re not careful. about thinking about how to protect and nourish it.
Of course, nature also normally grows the medicine cabinet we need most – just when we need it! For example, Arnica often grows in the middle of the mountains because it is an anti-bruise remedy. The same goes for the plants we get our essential oils from; they have a cyclical wisdom. So, our essential oils that grow in the summer often become the medicines that can help our skin stay in balance.
So let’s take a look at how you can create glowing summer skin, using nature’s own remedy kit to cleanse, exfoliate, tone and hydrate – no matter your skin type!
Which oils suit your skin condition?
Before we even get to the “how,” it’s first helpful to know which oils are right for your skin condition. There’s a lot to say about ‘skin type’, but our skin can change over time, so it’s helpful to tune in to “what is the condition of my skin this summer season?” instead of just assuming it’s doing its normal ‘thing’. Think about questions like: is my skin oily, is it dry? Is it greasy in some places and dry in others? Is it aging? Is it damaged by the sun? These types of questions bring us back into our own bodies instead of trying to fit into a box – and are useful for identifying what season our own skin is in.
Next, we want to know which types of oils can help different skin conditions so we can get creative with your own blends. Here’s an exploration of essential oils that can help every skin type.
Dry skin:
Some of the best oils for dry skin are:
- Rose – this sweet, floral essential oil is one of the best skin care oils and is particularly hydrating, hydrating and soothing for dry and sensitive skin.
- Lavender – a floral favorite, this oil is soothing and conditioning for dry skin – as well as a range of other skin challenges, including oily, damaged, burned and sensitive skin.
Combine with: Rosehip seed oil (rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids) mixed with a lighter carrier oil such as Grape Seed or Rose Hydrosol.
Combined skin:
There are quite a few oils that overlap and are suitable for dry or oily skin and can be added to all blends:
- Sweet Orange – a fruity, sweet essential oil. Orange has a balancing and firming effect on the skin and can help acne, mature and dry or sensitive skin.
- Geranium – with a rich, floral aroma, Geranium is a deeply balancing oil, which is great for balancing sebum and treating acne – and is also great for healing wounds – it is a lovely toner and cleanser for all skin conditions .
- Palmarosa – with a sweet, lemony, floral aroma Palmarosa is moisturizing, balances sebum levels and regenerates new cells, making it a wonderful oil for all skin types.
Combine with: Jojoba oil (most similar to the skin’s natural sebum).
Oily skin:
- Helichrysum – with a honey-like aroma, Helichrysum is great for acne and oily skin, given its astringent properties, but it is also great for sensitive skin, healing lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
- Lemon – a sweet citrus oil. Lemon is great for oily skin and acne. However, it is light sensitive, so it should not be used in mixtures before going out into the sun.
Combine with: Coconut oil or Orange flower (Neroli) Hydrolate.
Aging or (sun) damaged skin:
- Frankincense – with a woody, spicy aroma, this calming oil is excellent for rejuvenating and balancing ‘mature’ or aging skin – sun damage or wrinkled skin. It is also great for scars and healing wounds.
- Carrot Seed – with a dry, earthy, slightly sweet aroma, this oil also has excellent regenerative properties that are especially beneficial for tired, aging, dehydrated, scarred or damaged skin.
Combine with: Aloe Vera Gel.
The ‘radiant summer skin’ routine:
Now that we know which oils are right for your unique skin condition, let’s talk about the skincare routine that will help you create glowing summer skin!
Especially in the summer season, we can’t just splash water on our faces and hope for the best; we really need to at least create a routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing – and ideally we would also exfoliate our skin and use a mask once a week.
Here are some blend ideas for your daily skin care routine.
Cleaning:
Whatever your skin condition, cleansing your skin (preferably in the morning and evening) is very important in the summer. Cleansing helps keep your skin free of dirt, sweat and impurities and helps balance sebum.
Keep this simple with essential oils:
Use 1 drop of essential oil of your choice (chosen based on your skin condition) mixed in 5 ml of micellar water.
For example:
- For dry skin you can use 1 drop of Rose in 5 ml Micellar Water.
- For oily skin you can use 1 drop of Helichrysum in 5 ml micellar water.
Start your routine every morning and evening by soaking cotton pads in the micellar water and wiping your face to cleanse your skin. If you prefer a cream cleanser, replace the Micellar with our Cucumber Extract Cleanser.
Firming:
To provide a deeper cleanse, and to hydrate and balance your skin a little more, we then use a toner. I recommend using a natural hydrosol – Rose Hydrosol for dry skin, or Orange Flower (Neroli) Hydrosol for oily skin, mixed with an all-round balancing and cleansing oil such as Geranium.
Misting: You can also make a bottle of this mixture to carry with you and use as a hydrating mist in the warm summer months. Add up to 20 drops of essential oil to 100 ml of hydrosol and spritz to keep your face hydrated (if using this in the sun, be careful not to use light-sensitive oils).
Moisturizing:
A moisturizer is essential for the skin, regardless of whether your skin condition is dry or oily. Adding a moisturizer to your daily routine will help keep your skin hydrated – which is essential in the summer months. Likewise, it’s a misconception that oily skin doesn’t need hydration, because if we strip it of its natural oils (while cleansing), without adding any hydration, our body is smart enough to think it needs even more oil. has, so it will. produce more and become even oilier.
Here’s a blend for you, regardless of your skin condition:
To keep it simple, you can choose one of our Moisturizing Cream or Lotion bases. Creams are better for dry, mature skin and lotion is better for oily skin.
Mix up to 50 ml of your cream or lotion with 5 ml of carrier oil (rosehip, jojoba or coconut oil) and add a total of up to 10 drops of your favorite 3 essential oils.
For example:
- Dry skin: add 50 ml of moisturizer to 5 ml of rosehip oil and mix in 3 drops of rose oil, 3 drops of lavender and 4 drops of sweet orange.
- Oily skin: add 50 ml of moisturizing lotion to 5 ml of coconut oil and mix in 5 drops of Helichrysum, 3 drops of Geranium and 2 drops of Palmarosa.
Every morning and evening after cleansing and toning, massage into your skin, using light-touch mini circles, moving upwards and outwards.
Peeling:
It is also good, ideally once a week, to exfoliate our skin – especially if our skin is damaged by the sun in the summer (but do not exfoliate if you have recently burned your skin – let it settle and then exfoliate to to remove the peeling skin).
We can exfoliate by making a radiant skin mask with microfoliant bamboo powder that removes dead skin cells, leaving the skin radiant and fresh! Aloe Vera gel and frankincense are great for sun-damaged skin, so I included these in the next blend as well.
Combine 3 teaspoons of clay (kaolin clay for dry skin, or French green clay for oilier skin) with a ‘quarter’ teaspoon of bamboo powder. Mix in enough Aloe Vera gel to make a thick paste (perhaps 2 teaspoons) – you can use a few drops of a carrier oil (e.g. rosehip seed oil or jojoba), if you want to make this more moisturizing. Add 2 drops of frankincense oil (or an essential oil of your choice) and mix well.
Apply to your skin and gently massage with light-touch mini circles in an upward and outward direction. Leave on for up to 15 minutes before rinsing off with an exfoliating glove or cotton pads.
Overall, the invitation is to get creative with your oils this summer to keep your skin glowing and healthy! To enjoy!
Nicole Barton
Advisor Aromatherapist
Disclaimer and safety advice