Natural Hand and Nail Care Most of us take care of the skin on our faces, but often our hands get In Aromatherapy, essential oils are applied to the skin after being mixed in a base, or carrier oil, such as Sweet Almond oil, Rosehip oil or Jojoba. These base oils benefit the skin in many ways and can be used at home with or without the addition of essential oils. Carrier Weekly Hand and Nail Treatment Place a slice of lemon in a bowl of warm water and soak your hands for around 5 minutes. If you have areas of discolouration (from slicing vegetables for example), gently rub the affected skin with another slice of lemon. Any dry areas of skin can be exfoliated by using a teaspoon of ground almonds, sugar or salt mixed with enough oil to make a paste. Work this mixture into the skin, then rinse well. Dry your hands thoroughly, then massage in a good quality oil, such as Avocado, Coconut or Sweet Almond. Take your time with the massage, working in small circular movements all over your hands and nails. To give the oils more time to be absorbed into your skin, put on a pair of cotton gloves, sit back and relax for half an hour. If you’d like to add essential oils to your massage blend, see the recipe suggestions below: For sore and chapped hands – 10ml Calendula (an infused oil) with 3 drops Lavender and 2 drops of Roman (or German) Chamomile. For Dry hands – 10ml Avocado oil with 3 drops of Lavender and 2 drops of Geranium or Palmarosa. Extra help for stronger nails If you have weak nails, a healthy balanced diet can help by providing the nutrients needed to strengthen them. Regular massage of the nails, including the nail bed and cuticles will stimulate the circulation and keep the cuticles soft and supple. Mix up a blend of 5ml of Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil with 1 drop of Lemon and 1 drop of Lavender in a small glass bottle and use regularly. Protection Cleaning- If using harsh cleaning products or immersing your hands in hot water, always wear rubber gloves. If your skin is irritated by rubber gloves, try buying a larger size and wearing cotton gloves underneath. You can turn this into a beauty treatment for your hands by slathering on plenty of hand cream before you put your gloves on; Gardening– If you’re a keen gardener, it’s always wise to wear gloves, especially when pruning anything with thorns! However, if you’re like me and like to get your hands into the earth, scrape your nails over a bar of soap first to prevent the soil from getting under them. Also, on a more serious note, you might like to make sure your tetanus Outdoors– In the winter, protect your hands from biting winds with a warm pair of gloves. During the warmer months, apply sunscreen to protect your hands from sun damage. Daily Care To keep your hands soft and smooth, remember to re-apply your hand cream throughout the day. Keep some in your bag, by the kitchen sink and in the bathroom.Why not treat yourself to one of the gorgeous natural hand creams from Love Lula (there’s a link on the left hand side of this page). Their products are made from natural ingredients and without animal testing. If you’re feeling adventurous you can add essential oils to a base hand cream, or even make your own: What you’ll need: 25g (1oz) Beeswax 25ml (1 ½ tbsp) Distilled water or hydrosol (eg Rose water, Orange Flower water or Lavender water) 100ml (4 fl oz) Base oil 15-20 drops Essential oil Place the beeswax and base oil in a glass bowl over a saucepan of water. Bring the water to the boil and simmer until the wax has melted. Place the distilled water or hydrosol in another glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until hot. Remove both glass bowls from Add distilled water to the melted beeswax and oil mixture, one drop at a time, stirring constantly until the cream thickens and cools. At this stage, essential oils may be added and gently stirred into the cream. Pour or spoon into small clean jars. As there are no preservatives in this cream, store it in a cool place and use within 2-3 Recipe suggestions: 25g of beeswax, 25ml of Rose water or Lavender water, 100ml of Calendula oil, 5-10 drops of Chamomile (German or Roman) and 10 drops of Lavender essential oils. 25g of beeswax, 25ml of Rose Water, 100ml of Sweet Almond Oil, 5 drops of Benzoin, 5-6 drops of Lavender and 5-6 drops of Geranium essential oils. 25g of beeswax, 25ml of distilled water, 100ml of Avocado Oil, 7 drops of Patchouli, 3-4 drops of Frankincense and 6-8 drops of Sandalwood essential oils. 25g of beeswax, 25ml of Orange Flower Water, 100ml of Grapeseed oil, 4-5 drops of Lavender, 8-10 drops of Mandarin and 3 drops of Petitgrain essential oils. Safety Precautions
Contact your local Aromatherapist if you’re uncertain about using essential oils. |
