21 main essential oils, their effects and how to use them –

They are getting higher and higher. That’s because the essencial oils bring countless benefits, whether in aromatherapy or in our beauty routine, you know? “They treat the physical and emotional in a natural way, without major contraindications”, explains the psychoanalyst and therapist on the subject Silvia Helena Barros (@silviahelenabarros).

Each one is indicated for specific purposes, but the problem is that there are so many scents that sometimes we can get confused. With that in mind, we consulted experts to list the effects of main essential oils. Check out:

How to use?

It depends on the method you want to use. A aromatherapy, for example, it can be done with diffusers and aromatizers, or by inhalation. In the skincare routine, the essencial oils they are mixed with masks and creams, in compresses, in massages…

This is because, as they are highly concentrated, direct application to the skin is hardly recommended. The right thing is to add a small amount to something you use on a daily basis. “It is essential to pay attention to the proportion (usually a few drops) indicated. You just can’t apply it if you have an intolerance or allergy to the active ingredient (plant)”, complements Silvia Helena Barros. Check out a step-by-step guide here.

When buying, consider the level of purity of the product. “If it is not pure, the oil can take microorganisms and even heavy metals to the body, compromising the treatment. Consumers should look for a purity seal on the packaging, such as the Certificate of Tested and Guaranteed Purity (CPTG)”, says the therapist.

21 top essential oils

– (Bowonpat Sakaew / EyeEm / Disclosure)

Explanations by Cristiane Pagliuchi (@cristiane_wnf), aromatherapist, osmologist, cosmetic engineer at WNF and scientific director of vegan; Giseli Fernandes, chemist at Phytotherapy; and Joel Aleixo (@joelaleixo), alchemist of AlkhemyLab by Joel Aleixo.

It is invigorating, detoxifying, provides joy and mood. Buy here.

– (WNF/Disclosure)

It has antidepressant properties and acts as a detoxifier. In the environment, it balances emotions, taking away extreme fatigue. It brings joy and motivation to help with the daily routine. Buy here.

Antidepressant and lipolytic, helps the body to break down localized fat and cellulite. Buy here.

– (Alkhemy Lab/Disclosure)

It is the most consumed and traditional oil in the world. It helps calm, bring peace and balance to hectic environments. It also assists in sleepy nights regenerating and is an excellent muscle relaxant. Buy here.

It has calming properties and its aroma is fresher than that of French lavender. In addition, it provides respiratory, decongestant and antiseptic action. Buy here.

How to use: mix 24 drops of the essential oil in 60 ml of grapeseed, rosehip, sweet almond or wheat germ vegetable oil. Use every day. This concentration is safe to apply to skin, nails, and hair.

Excellent purifier and antiseptic for environments, in addition to helping with immunology in general — antiviral, bactericidal and against fungi and mycoses. Buy here.

How to use: in ingrown nails, inflamed and with mycoses, drip pure (only 1 drop on the nail) and then massage. For the scalp with dandruff and seborrhea, drip 1 drop into the palm of the hand, along with the shampoo.

Antibacterial and antiviral. Helps in the respiratory tract, in addition to providing joy and motivation to live life, as it is a potent citric. Buy here.

How to use: this essential oil is photosensitive. Its dilution should be a maximum of 16 drops in 60 ml of vegetable oil. Do not expose body parts to the sun.

Stimulates focus and concentration, and can help reduce tension and muscle pain. Already in beauty, it can be placed inside shampoos or conditioners to help strengthen strands and prevent hair loss. Buy here.

How to use: for the skin, rosemary oil is excellent for softening acnes, dilated pores and oily skin. You can use it on clay mask too. In hair, it helps with growth. Put 1 drop in the palm of your hand along with the shampoo.

Stimulating for the mind and purifying, Peppermint can help with injuries, acne, redness or chronic inflammation on the skin, and also repels insects. Buy here.

With benefits for the lungs and airwayalso provides well-being, mainly due to its decongestant power. Buy here.

Calming, it offers well-being with its aroma and, together with beauty products, it has a moisturizing effect. Buy here.

has properties antioxidabefore and anti-inflammatory that can be part of the beauty routine. Buy here.

Sage is a good option for herbal baths because of its properties that help control anxiety. However, it also has drying and astringent properties, and can be used on oily skin by adding a few drops to carrier products, such as creams and lotions. Buy here.

It also has benefits for the hair, offering shine to the hair, moisturizing the scalp, strengthening and restoring split ends. It can also be used for fighting the dandruff and hair loss. Buy here.

It is potent antimicrobial, fighting different types of bacteria such as Streptococcus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas and E. Coli. It is circulatory and vasodilator (anticoagulant). It also relieves rheumatic and muscular pains, as well as menstrual cramps. Efficient natural insecticide. It has the ability to inhibit the production of melanin in the skin, being useful for combating dark spots. Buy here.

Good for cellulite and hair loss. It has anti-wrinkle properties as it increases the production of collagen and elastin. Buy here.

It is fungicide, fighting skin and nail mycoses. In addition, it reduces excessive sweating and bad foot odor. On the skin, it is indicated for oily, acneic and inflamed skin. Buy here.

Indicated in cases of nail mycoses. On the skin, it acts against: oiliness, acne, pimples and lines of expression, as it is an antioxidant. Fights dandruff and adds shine to hair. Buy here.

Produces a calming and toning effect on the skin. Indicated for mature skin, it cleans and helps to prevent wrinkles. In aromatization it produces a calming and relaxing effect. In lymphatic massage, it helps in the treatment of cellulite. Buy here.

It is highly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; in addition to expectorant, mucolytic, analgesic, febrifuge, venous and lymphatic and digestive decongestant. Therefore, it is indicated as a tonic for the skin. Useful in lymphatic drainage. Buy here.

It brings many benefits to the skin, balancing sebaceous production, regenerating cells in cases of scars, keloids, eczema, skin infections and cracks. It can also be used as a natural deodorant as it reduces sweating in the armpits and feet. Buy here.

Bonus: Clay mask recipe for essential oil use

In a plastic, glass, porcelain or silicone pot, add 1 tablespoon of clay. Drip water or hydrolate, very little, enough to form a paste. Then, drip 1 drop of the oil of your choice or according to what you are going to treat (acne, mature skin, melasma), in the clay mask (white, black, yellow, green or red). The ratio is 1 drop to 1 tablespoon of clay (and a little water).

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