Three Essential Oil Self Care Practices

Self care is such an important practice that is often put aside when we need it most- when our lives show up as hectic, overwhelming or just too fast paced. Essential oils can be such useful allies during these times; they remind us to slow down, take a deep breath, and remember that our wellness is important too.

Which Essential Oils Should I Use for Self Care?

The essential oils you choose for self-care will depend upon your personal aroma preferences, your favorite self care practices, and the type of experience you are wanting to create. Here are a few of our aromatherapists' favorite essential oils to incorporate in their own self care practices:

Neroli: neroli essential oil has a deep, exotic, floral aroma that instills strength and self confidence. It can be used in both diffusions and skin care recipes.
Lavender: lavender essential oil is known for its ability to relax the body and mind. When used in diffusions and skin care it can help melt away tension.
Sweet Orange: also described as the essential oil of happiness, sweet orange's citrusy, gentle aroma is uplifting and inspires joy.
Rosemary: rosemary is known as the herb of remembrance. The essential oil can be used in self care practices that are based around mental self-care, such as reading, doing crosswords, or taking a fun new class.
Frankincense: frankincense has a rich, resinous aroma that supports meditation and relaxation. It is also wonderful for skin care recipes.
Rose: the deep, floral aroma of rose supports practices of self love, relationship building, and relaxation, and can be used in both diffusions and skin care blends.

How to Use Aromatherapy in Your Self-Care Routine

There are so many ways that we can use essential oils to bring self love and self care practices back into our daily routines; from diffusion to skin care, essential oils are here to help you build your best self. Here are three easy ways to use essential oils for self care.

Relaxation

Essential oils are well known for their ability to calm and relax us. Many of the relaxing essential oils are floral middle notes, such as rose and lavender, and work beautifully in diffusions, mists, and skincare. Essential oils can be incorporated into other self care practices to enhance their beneficial effects, such as yoga, deep breathing, or even sitting down with a good book and a cup of tea. You can even diffuse them in your airspace to keep you feeling peaceful throughout the day. Here’s one of our favorite relaxation diffusion blends:

3 drops Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil
3 drops Aura Cacia Sandalwood essential Oil
2 drops Aura Cacia Sweet Orange Essential Oil

You can even add these essential oils to a roll-on bottle, an aromatherapy necklace, or a mist bottle so that you can practice relaxation and self care all day long.

Mood

Aromas have such an incredible impact on our mood and emotions. They can instill comfort, energize our minds, cheer us up and brighten our day. Even if you wake up on the proverbial wrong side of the bed, diffusing cheering essential oils like sweet orange or grapefruit can help pull your mood out of a nosedive. Using essential oils alongside positive affirmations, such as ‘today I choose to live in joy’ can help to increase self confidence, release negative emotions, and rewire our thought patterns towards positivity. Apply this uplifting roll-on recipe as you repeat your positive affirmations as part of your daily self-care practice:

2 drops Aura Cacia Tangerine Essential Oil
1 drop Aura Cacia Bergamot Essential Oil
1 drop Aura Cacia Lemon Essential Oil
2 teaspoons Aura Cacia Jojoba Oil
Aura Cacia Amber Glass Roll-On Bottle

Add all of the essential oils to the amber glass roll-on bottle and fill with jojoba oil. Replace the roller ball lid and shake well to fully mix. Apply to temple, behind the ears and wrists as you repeat your positive affirmations.

Skin Care

Taking a few moments out of our day or week to pamper ourselves with a facial, a luxurious sugar scrub, or a nightly wash and serum routine can do wonders for not just our skin, but also our mood and self confidence. Basic hygiene like showering or putting on clean clothes should absolutely not have to count as your only self care; setting aside a sacred time each day or week to devote to your wellness is self-care. Here’s one of our favorite recipes for a soothing and toning facial serum that can be easily incorporated into your daily self care routine:

6 drops Aura Cacia Frankincense Essential Oil
3 drops Aura Cacia Geranium Essential Oil
3 drops Aura Cacia Manuka Essential Oil
1 ounce Aura Cacia Organic Argan Oil

Add the essential oil drops directly to the 1 oz bottle of argan oil. Cap the bottle, and shake well to fully mix. Apply a small amount of the serum to clean, slightly damp skin.

Remember, taking a moment (or two, or three) for yourself is not selfish- it's self care. Make your self care an intentional act- go for a walk, take a hot bath, get a pedicure, play in the garden, read a book, and bring your essential oils along for the ride!