With summer on its way we're all gearing up for life outdoors. Be it a simple evening grilling on the patio, whilling away some time in the chaise with a good book or just a little shuteye in a cozy hammock, fresh air and sunshine can do us a whole lot of good.

Don't let inevitable uninvited guests such as mosquitoes, gnats and flies derail your blissful outdoor interludes. Insects are a part of nature, but the toxic chemicals that are so often a part of commercial repellents and insecticides are not. Fortunately, essential oils offer a more natural alternative. Many oils contain compounds that even the Environmental Protection Agency recognizes as having value at warding off summertime pests. Included are oils such as citronella, geranium and lemon eucalyptus.

Here are some easy recipes to create effective and fragrant applications to enhance outdoor living.

Lavender & Geranium Protecting Body Oil

Besides discouraging insects, this body oil is nourishing and soothing. Appropriate for all skin types.

6 drops Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil
6 drops Aura Cacia Geranium Essential Oil
1 ounce Aura Cacia Grapeseed oil

Combine essential oils with grapeseed oil and smooth over exposed skin.

Patio and Body Spritz

12 drops Aura Cacia Citronella Essential Oil
12 drops Aura Cacia Geranium Essential Oil
12 drops Aura Cacia Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
12 drops Aura Cacia Patchouli Essential Oil
4 ounces water

Combine essential oils and water in a spray mister. Shake vigorously and spray.

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ESSENTIAL OIL OF THE MONTH

CARROT SEED

Here is a remarkable oil that you may not have used before. Carrot seed has an earthy, musty-oily aroma that many people are a bit taken aback by, which is a shame since the oil has remarkable effects at promoting healthy skin and could be your go-to, all-natural beauty secret. Carrot seed oil helps support elasticity and tone while it soothes and smoothes dry, aged skin. It is distilled from the seeds of a wild form of the common garden carrot which you may have seen blooming along roadsides — Queen Anne’s lace.

Carrot Seed & Geranium Skin Care Oil
1 ounce grapeseed oil
4 drops carrot seed essential oil
4 drops geranium essential oil
4 drops Aura Cacia Rose Otto Precious Essentials oil

Mix ingredients and smooth over skin after cleansing.

Carrot Seed Complexion Mist
4 ounces purified water
24 drops carrot seed essential oil
24 drops lavender essential oil
Bottle with spray-mist cap attachment

Mix ingredients in the bottle. This mist will help foster a balanced complexion regardless of skin type. Shake well and then apply 2-3 spritzes as a finishing treatment at the end of your skincare regime.

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