Pigmentation, fine lines and dry skin - most of us have at least one complaint about our complexion. While the signs of poor skin health are aplenty, the key contributors boil down to a handful of our body’s inter-connected functions. Learn how to control them, and you’ll be well on your way to a flawless mien.

Hormonal Balance

Hormones are responsible for how every cell in our body functions. When hormonal balance is disrupted, cells do not receive the correct signals for them to function optimally. With that, skin cells might produce less hyaluronic acid and collagen, without which, skin looks dull and saggy.

Essential oils that regulate hormones: rose, frankincense, patchouli, geranium, jasmine

Skin Sensitivity

While hormones are constantly being secreted by our endocrine system, genes dictate our body’s pre-disposition to its environment and are harder to control. In the case of hereditary skin sensitivity and allergies, the use of gentle, natural might help alleviate symptoms.

Gentle essential oils: lavender, tea tree

Skin Regeneration

Thinner than paper, our skin is incredibly delicate. Everyday elements such as ultra-violet rays from the sun and dry air in an air-conditioned contribute to less-than-perfect skin, while events in our life such as pregnancy may cause scars. The birth of new skin allows us to shed old, damaged skin in exchange for a healthier skin appearance.

Essential oils that speed up skin renewal: frankincense, geranium, neroli, patchouli, palmarosa

Optimum Hydration

Moisture pads the skin, plumping it up and preventing it from looking saggy, while lending it a luminous quality. However, moisture is constantly being sapped from our skin due to osmosis, and our skin loses its ability to make and retain moisture as it ages.

To minimise the loss of moisture, our bodies utilises the sebum it produces to form a barrier between the moisture beneath our skin and the environment as an in-built defence mechanism. Too much sebum could end up causing other skin problems such as breakouts, thus it is important that natural sebum levels are regulated and balanced.

Essential oils that balance natural sebum levels: palmarosa, neroli

Emollient essential oils: rose, sandalwood, neroli