Of course, if you are using Aromatherapy in anything like a professional manner on others, it behooves you to take a proper client history, which will ask about skin and respiratory allergies or sensitivities, food and plant allergies, cosmetic allergies, lifestyle and general health, skin care products used, et cetera, in order to have a more clear idea of the possibilities of problems developing in certain situations. This is especially important when using Essential oils on broken or damaged skin, and when using them on areas such as the face, where the skin is generally more sensitive than most other areas of the body. A patch test can be performed by applying a small amount of the properly diluted oil to the skin of the inside of the elbow or behind the ear. After 24 hours observe the skin for any adverse reactions such as redness, inflammation and sensitivity. One can also apply a small drop of the neat oil to the inside of the elbow and observe the area after five minutes to look for signs of these same reactions.

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS: In addition to its purported anti-septic and anti-bacterial actions, Geranium Essential oil is used for its anti-fungal, astringent, antiphlogistic, cicatrisant and rubefacient properties in skin care, as well as its reputation for balancing the physical and emotional systems of the body. These actions would indicate the use of Geranium Essential oil when dealing with oily and acneic or congested skin that needs rebalancing, hormonal acne, mature skin that is dry and lusterless, sluggish skin, as well as healing wounds and scars due to its reported regenerative effects on the skin. It is also suggested for mild dermatitis, eczema, and varicose veins.

USING GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL IN SKINCARE:

Oily, Congested, Acneic Skin, Hormonal Acne: The balancing effects of Geranium Essential oil on the production of sebum in the skin makes it a wonderful additive in these instances, especially at the change of seasons from winter to spring, and into early summer. At this time of year, these skins need a bit of gentle exfoliation. Once a week, you can use either the first recipe for a physical exfoliant, or the second as a chemical exfoliant.

Oatmeal scrub: Mix 2 tablespoons of oatmeal with just enough honey to make it stick together in a lump. Drizzle in a tablespoon and a half of sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil as you are stirring. Add one drop (gtt.) of Geranium Essential oil and one gtt of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential oil. Use to gently (key word!) exfoliate the skin, rinse off with bottled or filtered water.

Papaya Exfoliating mask: Here the enzymes in the fresh papaya gently dissolve dead skin cells. Mix equal parts fresh papaya juice and cooled Lavender infusion. Take eight small square pure cotton pads and dip them in the mixture, allowing them to fully absorb. Then place these compresses on the skin, avoiding the eye area and leave on for ten minutes. Gently rinse off with filtered water.

After exfoliating the skin, apply a balancing mask as follows: to one ounce aloe vera gel, add a half ounce jojoba oil. Mix one gtt Geranium Essential oil with one gtt Sandalwood (Santalum album) Essential oil. From this, add one gtt to the aloe and oil mixture. Apply to the skin, avoiding the eye area. Cover with lukewarm compresses, and leave on for ten minutes. Rinse off with filtered water.

Mature, Dehydrated, Sluggish Skin: This is skin that is in need of a little stimulation, and once more, one could start with an exfoliating process when treating the skin. Again, use the exfoliant no more than once a week. In the Oatmeal scrub, substitute a drop of Rose Otto (Rosa damascena) for the Lavender Essential oil, and in the Papaya Exfoliating Mask, substitute a Chamomile infusion for the Lavender infusion.

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