Aromatherapy Face Massage

Essential oils can be used on the face and neck but they need to be diluted and chosen carefully. The carrier, or base oil, needs to be high quality and nourishing to the skin. Apricot and avocado oils are suitable for normal skins, while sensitive skin may benefit from jojoba oil. Skin that is prone to spots may benefit from carrot oil which is rich in vitamin A.

Gentle, circling movements of the fingers will cause the skin to absorb the oils. Care should be taken not to drag, rub, or pull the skin on the face, especially around the eyes neck as the skin may be stretched. Rose and Neroli oils are excellent for dry, or mature skins and bergamot and lemon may benefit acne prone, or oily skins.

A few drops of essential oil may be mixed into face cream, or lotion, and this can be massaged in , using the same circular method with the fingers.

Some facial skin conditions will benefit from being massaged with essential oil which is diluted with alcohol. (Vodka is ideal for this.) Use 6 drops of essential oil to one teaspoon of vodka. If the facial condition is more widespread, particularly sensitive, the mixture can be diluted with boiled water and used after massage to soothe the skin.

Note: The author of this article is a qualified aromatherapist in UK.