Eucalyptus has been used in medicine and personal care since ancient times. It was then that man discovered its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. How to use the maximum useful properties of eucalyptus oil in skin care on a regular basis - we figured out together with a dermatologist, cosmetologist Amina Berdova.
Composition and useful properties
Eucalyptus oil contains over 40 beneficial ingredients. First of all, we are talking about cineole, which helps relieve inflammation, irritation, itching, and pinene, a substance that helps to eliminate oily sheen, fight rashes and comedones. Among other things, the composition of eucalyptus oil contains such healing substances as limonene, which is responsible for whitening the skin, amphene, which improves blood circulation, phellandren - for the prevention of acne, cinnamic and coumaric acids. The latter is known for its ability to remove toxins and improve complexion. Eucalyptus oil also contains vitamin C and B vitamins.
Eucalyptus oil is primarily intended for the care of oily and problem skin. It effectively fights inflammatory lesions, reduces and cleanses sebaceous ducts, helps to cope with oily sheen by regulating sebum synthesis. However, its action is not exclusively limited to therapeutic effect. Eucalyptus oil is a source of not only health, but also youthfulness of the skin.
The rejuvenating effect of eucalyptus oil manifests itself in smoothing fine wrinkles, improving blood microcirculation, preventing the appearance of vascular reticulum, toning the skin and eliminating traces of fatigue and pigmentation.
Beauty hacks you might not know about:
- Before using eucalyptus oil for the first time, you need to test for possible allergies. For this, the diluted oil must be applied to the wrist or elbow area and left for a while. If redness, itching and other signs of an allergic reaction are not detected, you can use the oil regularly without fear.
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Do not forget that eucalyptus oil is essential, which means that its use in its pure form is unacceptable. The oil can be added to common skin care products (creams) to increase their effectiveness or diluted with olive or other vegetable oil at the rate of no more than 5-7 drops of eucalyptus oil per 10 ml of the main product (cream, olive oil) (see also: "Olive oil for skin and hair: 5 beauty life hacks ").
- It is best to mix eucalyptus essential oil with other oils or creams in glass or plastic containers, avoiding metal containers, as it can cause oxidation of the latter.
- For oily and problem skin, it is enough to use diluted eucalyptus oil no more than twice a week.
- For the purpose of rejuvenation (smoothing wrinkles, eliminating hyperpigmentation), eucalyptus oil should be applied in courses of 1-12 procedures. If necessary, courses can be repeated from time to time.
- Eucalyptus oil can be mixed with other essential oils to create beneficial and aromatic compositions. Orange and tangerine oil, geranium oil, cumin, rosemary, neroli, cedar and lemon oil work well with eucalyptus (read also: Osteopath's Tips: Five Essential Oils for Health).
Where to look?
You can buy eucalyptus oil at pharmacies, specialty stores and online. The highest quality oils are considered to be produced in the USA, Australia, Spain and Portugal. Store eucalyptus oil in a dark place at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C. The shelf life of the oil is no more than 5 years from the date of production.
About the author:
Amina Berdova
Photo: Getty Images
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