Essential oils have numerous health benefits and can be incredibly relaxing. Used in both aromatherapy and skin care, essential oils can help you create spa-like experiences in your very own home. Treat your feet right with an invigorating peppermint foot cream and slough away dead skin cells with a DIY sugar scrub. You can even use whipped body butter to establish a smooth skin tone. 

Although the aromatherapy shower mist recipe in this article doesn’t turn back the hands of time, it can transform your shower into a full-on steam room. Spray the mist in your steamy shower and the aromas will transport you to a relaxing oasis. The best part is that you don’t even have to leave your bathroom!

Typically, spa scents are made with a custom blend of essential oils. Because you are making this aromatherapy blend, you can also customize to your liking. If you prefer more eucalyptus essential oil than peppermint essential oil, alter the recipe. You can also use essential oils that help contribute to more alertness and energy to help you get your day started. A relaxing blend of essential oils, including lavender essential oil, may be beneficial for winding down before bed. 

What Is A Shower Mist?

A shower mist is basically a spray that you spritz into the water or steam of the shower, which transforms it into a spa-like experience. The steam from the hot water creates a natural diffuser, spreading the aromas of the essential oils in the shower air. While showering, you’re surrounded by the shower steam and an amazing fragrance. 

A shower mist is about more than a pleasant aroma, though. The essential oils in the shower mist have therapeutic properties, which you benefit from during your steamy shower. A few spritzes in your shower may help relax the body, calm the mind, wake you up, lift your spirits, regulate emotions, and rejuvenate your senses. 

Shower Mist Vs. Shower Steamer

You may have heard of a shower steamer. In fact, you can click here for our DIY recipe! They are scented discs that you place on the shower floor. As hot water flows onto them, they release their aroma into the shower air. A shower steamer is very similar to a shower mist, as both release the aromas from essential oils that you choose. Shower steamers are not for everyone, though, especially if you use oils or butters to make them. They can cause the shower floor to become a bit slippery, which is dangerous if your balance is not 100%. 

A shower mist is also a lot easier to make. All you have to do is pour the ingredients in a bottle, screw on the cap, shake the bottle up, and you are good to go. A shower mist also does not depend on humidity, so you can use the same recipe whether the humidity level is 0% or 100%. Shower steamers are a lot harder to make if you live in a humid environment. Finally, there is no setting time for a shower mist. Use it as soon as you make it, unlike shower steamers, which occasionally take days to set. 

DIY Shower Mist

Ingredients:

• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 15 drops orange essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 1/4 cup high-proof grade alcohol (such as Everclear)
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to an eight-ounce spray bottle and then pour in the high-proof grade alcohol. 
• Should you choose to use other essential oils, that is also fine. The general recommendation for this recipe is 30-40 drops of essential oils. You can keep the high-proof grade alcohol and distilled water measurements the same in that eight-ounce bottle.
• Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water (leaving a small amount of space at the top to prevent overflowing), screw on the cap, and shake well to combine. 
• Put your spray to use! Spritz the shower mist in your hot shower and reap the benefits.

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There’s something to be said about a home that has an enchanting smell. You walk in the door and a pleasant aroma greets your nostrils. All of a sudden, you feel a little pep in your step. Perhaps the aroma livens your senses, boosts your mood, or reminds you of a happy memory. This is the power of essential oils!

The fall season invites many pleasant aromas, from warm delectable pies to floral teas and falling leaves. Many scents like cinnamon, allspice, pumpkin, orange blossom, clove, and cypress come in essential oil form. Adding one or a blend of these oils to a diffuser can make your home smell like fall. Some of these oils exhibit powerful health benefits that may reduce headaches, relieve stress, and even boost mood. It’s also possible for some oils to help promote clearer breathing and decongestion.

Use A Cold Air Diffuser

If you have a diffuser that you enjoy, you don’t have to rush out and purchase a cold air diffuser. The reason that cold air diffusers are beneficial is that they don’t heat the oils. Because of this, essential oils remain intact and can still offer therapeutic benefits, which diminish after heating. Using a cold air diffuser, then, can allow you to reap the potential antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties from various oils. Use the following diffuser blends to make your home smell like fall. 

Apple Pie

We don’t encourage the consumption of unhealthy baked goods during the holidays, but there’s nothing wrong with smelling them. Warm apple pie may be one of the best scents on the planet! Since there is no apple pie essential oil, you have use essential oils that offer warming scents. After inhaling this aroma blend, you’ll feel warm and fuzzy. 

Diffuser Blend: 

• 2 drops clove essential oil
• 1 drop nutmeg essential oil
• 2 drops ginger essential oil
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil

Into The Woods

The brisk autumn weather and shorter days makes the indoors more appealing. Fall isn’t just about drinking hot chocolate or pumpkin spice lattes, though. It’s wonderful to take a walk in nature, admiring the changing leaves that paint the landscape beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. Some of the best essential oils that are reminiscent of the outdoors include sandalwood, white fir, and cypress. These refreshing oils may even help to clear your sinuses!

Diffuser Blend:

• 4 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 drops white fir essential oil
• 2 drops sandalwood essential oil

Mulled Cider

Do you want to feel like you are bathing in a warm cup of mulled cider? If yes, this is the perfect diffuser blend for you! Break out this blend of oils for chilly days because the aroma is very warming and toasty. The combination of orange, cinnamon, and clove essential oils create a harmonious marriage of enchanting scents. If you aren’t a cider fan, then this blend is not for you. 

Diffuser Blend:

• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 2 drops orange essential oil
• 1 drop clove essential oil

Cold Relief

Autumn is synonymous with cold and flu season, and more people spend time inside because of the colder weather. If one person amongst the crowd is sick or carrying a virus, it’s easy for them to spread it indoors. If you feel congested or need relief from a cold or flu, this blend can help you breathe easy. It contains powerful essential oils that have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. 

Diffuser Blend:

• 1 drop each eucalyptus, clove, cinnamon, and orange essential oils

Pumpkin Pie

Can fall exist without pumpkin pie? The answer is “no” in case you were unaware. You may not like to eat pumpkin pie, but you may enjoy the aroma. If that describes how you feel about pumpkin pie, this diffuser blend is for you. Let your home smell like a bakery when you add cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg essential oils to your diffuser. 

Diffuser Blend:

• 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 1 drop clove essential oil
• 1 drop nutmeg essential oil

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In 2020, data from a National Health Interview Survey found that 14.5% of adults had trouble falling asleep most days. The number of adults who had a hard time falling asleep increased as family income and educational attainment decreased. Additionally, the percentage continued to increase as family income decreased and the place of residence became more rural.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends seven to eight hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Over 25% of adults do not meet this recommendation on a regular basis. If you have a hard time falling asleep, that decreases your ability to get a sufficient amount of sleep per night. Sometimes, it is difficult to relax, and that can be the result of an irregular circadian rhythm. Instead of resorting to sleeping pills, since they have a long list of side effects, you may want to consider experimenting with the bedtime balm in this article. 

Does Lavender Promote Sleep?

One study compared the effects of lavender and sleep hygiene versus sleep hygiene alone on sleep quantity and quality. The goal was to determine if participants experienced a sustained effect two weeks after the study. Study authors noted that the lavender and sleep hygiene group demonstrated better sleep quality at the two-week follow-up. Additionally, study authors noted that the lavender group woke up feeling more refreshed. 

Several studies indicate that inhaling lavender aroma may help reduce anxiety. Scientists have found similar results for lavender’s effectiveness in treating depression. Lavender essential oil is also popular in aromatherapy because of its ability to promote relaxation and sleep. Some studies found that the use of lavender oil for aromatherapy improved sleep quality not only in people without sleep or mental health disorders, but also in people with depression, insomnia, and anxiety. Inhaling lavender essential oil’s aroma may also increase the time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep. 

Some research indicates that lavender may have a calming effect on the central nervous system. For this reason, lavender may benefit people who experience circadian rhythm disorders or occasionally sleeplessness. 

Where Do You Apply The Bedtime Balm?

Once you make the bedtime balm, apply a small amount to your wrists, collarbones, or temples when you get ready for bed. It is unclear how quickly the sleep balm works. It usually depends on how sensitive you are to the aromas in the balm. For the average person, it may start to calm you down and promote sleep in about 15-30 minutes. As with any natural remedy, though, it may take a few tries for it to be effective. Continue using it and experiment with different placements. Lastly, before we give you the recipe, make sure to do a small patch test on your arm and see if you have a reaction within 24 hours. 

DIY Bedtime Balm

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces beeswax pellets
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops myrrh essential oil
• 8 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 6 drops vetiver essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler or in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl. 
• While those ingredients are melting, prepare your lip balm containers to be filled. 
• Once the beeswax and coconut oil are melted, pour in the sweet almond oil and stir to combine. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture. 
• Let the mixture cool for about a minute and then add the essential oils. Stir until fully incorporated. 
• Pour the mixture into the containers and allow it to cool and solidify at room temperature. When fully cooled, the balm is ready to use. 
• To use, apply a small amount to your temples, wrists, collar bones, or back of your neck. You can even place a small amount on your pillow to help you sleep.

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Meditation, yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, and listening to music can help tame stress. Sometimes, you don’t want to meditate or listen to music because you will only fester and become more agitated. If you want to combat stress without exerting a lot of effort, sitting down and inhaling the scent of essential oils can be a great idea. It is a low-maintenance practice that has proven to be very effective. 

The olfactory system affects the part of the brain that regulates emotions. That’s why certain smells can trigger memories or feelings, both negative and positive. A 2016 review of studies found that aromatherapy was effective at reducing pain when combined with regular treatment. Aromatherapy can also be a useful tool to help reduce stress and anxiety. Many people report that aromatherapy helps to establish a general state of calm. 

How Do You Choose?

Many research studies have found that various essential oils exhibit stress-reducing and anti-anxiety properties. Generally speaking, you can use essential oils safely, save for a few that should not be used by certain groups, for example, pregnant women. Essential oils require dilution to prevent adverse reactions, so keep concentration levels below 5%. Pay attention to the dosage, purity, and application method. Some oils are perfectly safe when inhaled, but not when applied to the skin, which is why dilution is necessary. When you diffuse essential oils for stress relief, keep the following in mind:

• Follow proper dilution guidelines. 
• Diffuse intermittently, typically for 30 to 60 minutes on and 30 to 60 minutes off. 
• Make sure you diffuse in a ventilated area.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood oil comes from the wood and roots of the East Indian sandalwood tree. Many consider this tree to be one of the most valuable trees in the world, primarily because of the health properties. A small study from 2006 found that sandalwood oil was effective at reducing anxiety in participants. Unfortunately, the sample size was too small to draw conclusive evidence, but results were promising. 

Lemon Essential Oil

Sourced from the leaves of the lemon plant, lemon essential oil may exhibit sedative and anxiety-reducing properties. Lemon essential oil offers a bright aroma that may help boost your mood and contribute to a positive outlook. A 2018 study found that lemon essential oil had a positive effect on dopamine activities in mice. A previous study from 2005 found that lemon essential oil improved cognitive performance, concentration, and attention span in students during the learning process.

Jasmine Essential Oil

A beautifully scented oil, jasmine essential oil comes from the flowers of the floral jasmine plant. It has been known for its ability to calm the mind and uplift mood. A 2010 study examined jasmine essential oil and found that it increased blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, and blood pressure when compared to a placebo. A 2013 study found that participants who inhaled the aroma of jasmine essential oil experienced a significant decrease in negative emotions and had an overall mood boost. 

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage is a flowering herb native to the Mediterranean region. It may help reduce stress levels because of its ability to decrease cortisol (the stress hormone), as per a 2014 study. This study, which included menopausal women, also found that clary sage essential oil provided antidepressant effects. 

Orange Essential Oil

Orange essential oil exhibits anxiolytic properties, meaning it helps reduce anxiety. Because orange essential oil has a vibrant aroma, it may increase alertness or heighten the senses. In conjunction with its calming effects, orange essential oil may help balance your mood and regulate anxiety levels. Unfortunately, it did not have the same effects as tea tree oil did in a controlled study. 

Chamomile Essential Oil

Perhaps you drink a cup of chamomile tea if you want to unwind before bed. The chamomile plant is said to have sedative effects, and chamomile essential oil is no different. Chamomile essential oil may exhibit relaxation properties that can aid with sleep. An eight-week study from 2017 found that 58.1% of the participants experienced a reduction in symptoms of severe generalized anxiety disorder after using chamomile extract. A smaller 2018 study found that chamomile therapy was able to reduce symptoms of anxiety and decrease cortisol levels. 

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Growing on the Cananga tree, ylang ylang is a yellow, star-shaped flower native to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and parts of Australia. Ylang ylang essential oil may have a relaxing effect by way of decreasing blood pressure. Preliminary research shows that it helps decrease blood pressure, but more research is necessary to confirm these findings.

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Feeling stressed lately? This is completely natural, especially since the holidays are right around the corner. End of the year projects, holiday travel plans, and New Year’s commitments can cause you to burn out. That’s why self-care is extra important during this time of year. In fact, influencers and wellness brands push self-care products and tips on you, which can induce stress. 

You may not have the funds for all of these products or services, but we have a little secret: you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) money to help relieve stress. Take a bubble bath, go for a walk, drink a cup of calming tea, journal, or dance it out at home. All of these things, in addition to the following affordable tips can help you unwind. 

Meditation

Meditation is a free stress-relieving activity, but it can be difficult to get into. All you need is a quiet, comfortable place and five to 10 minutes of your day to start. There are plenty of free resources to help start you on the right path. If you don’t like quiet meditation, there are many free guided meditation videos to help lead you through the practice. 

Set Phone Limits

If you want to promote mindfulness and be more present in the moment, set phone limits for yourself. Spending less time looking at your screen, especially if you scroll endlessly and mindlessly, is highly beneficial for your mental health. Taking meaningful breaks from your phone is an excellent way to practice mindfulness. You can easily set screen time limits on your smartphone, or set reminders to put down your phone. 

Make Face Masks At Home

You don’t need to go to a luxury spa to pamper yourself, or give your facial skin a little boost. Hit the grocery store or look in your pantry because you already have the ingredients you need for a DIY face mask. Simple ingredients do wonders for your skin, for example, enhancing moisture, removing bacteria, and reducing excess oil. Click here for an excellent DIY face mask. 

Journal

One of the worst things you can do for your health is hold in your stress. You have to let it out! Journaling can be a great daily exercise to release all of the emotions you’re holding inside. You don’t have to craft an extensive memoir; rather, journaling can help you unleash your thoughts and analyze them. It is a cathartic exercise that will help declutter your mind.

Dance It Out

When in doubt, turn up the music and cut loose. If you are worried about people seeing you, don’t because this is a freeing exercise. That said, you can close all the blinds or curtains if you want total privacy while you dance your heart out. You don’t need dance lessons or rhythms to reap the benefits of this stress-relieving practice. Bust out your best dance moves to help you shake out the stress.

Go For A Walk

Sometimes, a trip around the block or a walk amongst the trees is all you need to clear your mind. Studies say that being outside in nature is a proven way to calm the mind. Unplugging from your distractions and being in the moment on your walk can help you notice little things you may otherwise pass by. Try your best to get to a park or nature trail, or relish in some casual people watching if you live in a dense city. 

Take A Bubble Bath

When all else fails, run that hot water to fill the tub and get ready for a relaxing soak. Light a few candles, add a bath bomb or bubbly soap, drop in some essential oils, or add some Epsom salts. All of these things are readily available to you and relatively affordable, not to mention beneficial for your skin. If you don’t have a bathtub, you can drop some eucalyptus essential oil to your shower flower to create a calming, somewhat steamy, aromatherapy experience.

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If you like cinnamon then you clicked on the right article because these candles are better than any air freshener. Cinnamon candles are very simple to make, but they make up for it in their enchanting, fall-themed scent. They will fill your home with the smell of holiday nostalgia or the changing leaves. 

The recipe requires soy wax that you will infuse with cassia essential oil. You can add additional flavors to make cinnamon vanilla or cinnamon apple candles, but that will be at your discretion. Not only do these candles go great in your house, but they also make perfect gifts. If you are the type of person that likes to get a head start on holiday gifts, you can experiment with these candles and start setting them aside. Make the decorations extra nice so you don’t have to rush at the last minute!

Cinnamon Candle Benefits

In aromatherapy, cinnamon essential oil helps to reduce feelings of faintness, exhaustion, and depression. Some people use it to help strengthen libido and immunity, while others use it to reduce joint and muscle pain. When you diffuse cinnamon essential oil in indoor environments, the scent naturally deodorizes and freshens the space. The uplifting fragrance carries throughout the space and has a soothing, therapeutic effect. Many aromatherapists recommend cinnamon essential oil if you want to benefit cognitive functions. It also acts as a natural mosquito repellent! 

What Is The Best Cinnamon Essential Oil For Candles?

Cinnamon essential oil can come from the leaves or outer bark of the cinnamon tree. There isn’t just one cinnamon essential oil; rather, there are three different cinnamon oils. Here is a quick overview of those oils:

• Cinnamon Leaf: This comes from distilling the leaves of the Cinnamomum zeylanicum plant. Cinnamon leaf essential oil has a lighter, muskier cinnamon aroma that is akin to clove’s scent, and the color is slightly amber. 
• Cinnamon Bark: This essential oil comes from distilling the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon plant (Cinnamomum zelanicum, Cinnamomum verum). The oil is slightly red-brown in color and has a warm and spicy scent with a strong undertone of cinnamon.
• Cassia: Steam-distilled from the bark of the cassia tree (Cinnamomum cassia), cassia essential oil is genetically similar to the Ceylon cinnamon plant species. The oil has a slightly sweet cinnamon smell and is golden brown in color. 

All of the above oils are perfectly suitable for candle making. We recommend that you choose cassia essential oil because it has a strong aroma with a hint of sweetness that makes it smell like someone baked cinnamon cookies in the house. It is also more affordable than cinnamon bark essential oil. If you already have a cinnamon essential oil that you prefer, please go ahead and use that. 

DIY Cinnamon Soy Candles

Ingredients:

• 4.5 cups soy wax flakes
• 200 drops cassia essential oil
• 4 pre-tapped cotton candle wicks
• 4 (four-ounce) mason jars

Instructions:

• First off, you have to prep your candle containers. Make sure they are clean, dry, and free of dust. You have to attach the wick to the bottom of the candle container prior to pouring the wax in the jar. 
• To do that, apply hot glue to the bottom of the wick tap and then adhere it to the bottom of the containers. Allow the glue to harden before moving on. 
• To secure the wick, thread it through a wick-centering device, which ensures that the wick stays centered and doesn’t sway when you pour the wax in the jar. 
• Melt your wax in a medium-sized saucepan over low flame. Stir occasionally until the wax is fully melted and then remove from the heat. 
• Allow the wax to cool to 185º F and then add the cassia essential oil. Stir about 30-40 times to properly combine the wax and essential oil.
• Pour the wax into the candle jars and allow the wax to set at room temperature overnight. 
• For the best cinnamon candle, seal the container and allow your candles to cure for one or two days. That will allow the wax and essential oil to bind together and build a stronger scent. 
• Trim the wick to a half-inch above the wax before burning for the first time. Light and enjoy the aroma.

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Nausea affects every single person at one point or another. Whether your nausea stems from pregnancy, acid reflux, motion sickness, or cancer treatment, various natural remedies can offer relief. Just as with over-the-counter medications, you may want to check with your healthcare professional before experimenting with the natural remedies in this article. Certain supplements or at-home remedies may not agree with your current health or medications you may be taking. 

In order to treat nausea, you need to first determine the cause. Without knowledge of the cause, treating it can be quite difficult. Nausea during pregnancy, for example, is often accompanied by vomiting. In fact, seven out of 10 pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy. Certain home remedies may work better for moms-to-be than someone who gets carsick. We hope the following methods help relieve nausea.

Peppermint

Not only does peppermint have a calming effect, but it may also relax stomach muscles and relieve nausea. Peppermint herb has been used to thwart symptoms of digestive disorders and other conditions since the times of ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome. The fresh leaves and peppermint essential oil may benefit those who suffer from indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The reason for this is because peppermint works to ease inflamed tissues and prevent the further growth of unhealthy gut bacteria and microorganisms. Peppermint tea is the most common way to consume this remedy, but iced peppermint tea may provide extra benefit. Experts say that, in addition to the herb’s health properties, the cold may aid nausea reduction.

Aromatherapy

When you are nauseous, certain scents can either make symptoms go away or make them worse. A drop of peppermint oil under the nose can soothe feelings of nausea, just as other types of aromatherapy can have a similar therapeutic effect. According to research from 2021, inhaling a custom blend of lavender, peppermint, ginger, and lemon essential oils decreased vomiting and postoperative nausea. Many essential oils have health properties that calm the nervous system, which can typically aid with nausea relief. Add peppermint essential oil to a diffuser in order for you to inhale the vapors. 

Ginger

In China, ginger has been used to treat digestive pain and issues for more than 2,000 years. How ginger eases nausea isn’t exactly clear, but researchers believe that the active components (gingerols and shogaols) directly affect the central nervous system and digestive system. A scientific paper from 2020 examined 13 previous studies involving 1,174 participants. The paper concluded that ginger was able to significantly reduce nausea compared to a placebo. More research found that ginger was effective at reducing the possibility of acute chemotherapy-induced vomiting in cancerous patients. Ginger tea is a common way to consume this remedy, but many people also enjoy the candied form of ginger, especially for nausea due to motion sickness. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of stimulating pressure points throughout the body to alleviate pain. It has been a practice in East Asian medicine for thousands of years, and it involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific pressure points. Many scientists believe that acupuncture works because the needles stimulate certain nerves in the body. Those nerves send signals to the brain to release hormones that reduce feelings of nausea and pain. Acupuncture may help relieve morning sickness or mild nausea. In one study that involved 134 people with advanced cancer, acupuncture was a supporting therapy that helped alleviate vomiting and nausea that resulted from chemotherapy.

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More often than not, TikTok gives way to unusual trends that are downright strange. Every now and then, though, a novel idea will emerge from the sea of dance videos and confessionals. Recently, users have slapped trendy names on a theory, makeup look, self-care practice, or ritual that’s been around for a long time. An “everything shower” is one example of a recent TikTok trend.

What Is An Everything Shower?

The trendy everything shower is a practice that TikTok users swear by, especially when it comes to relaxing at the end of a work week. It isn’t just about washing your body; rather, it includes a host of self-care practices. From slathering on a thick hair mask to using a luxurious body scrub, an everything shower hashtag amassed over 32 million views on TikTok in the last month alone. Some people even like to incorporate a fluffy robe or scented candle into the practice. 

Although the practice isn’t anything new or revolutionary, a time-intensive shower can help people look after their physical and mental health. Many components of an everything shower are standard self-care practices that improve everything from stress and anxiety to the appearance of your skin. These everything showers have become essential components to end-of-the-week wind-down routines. If nothing else, an everything shower is an opportunity to prioritize yourself. It isn’t just a longer shower than normal, though. Read on to learn how to get into TikTok’s latest trend.

Before The Shower

Schedule in your shower, because it will take up a decent portion of your evening. Add your everything shower to your schedule on whatever night you have the most free time, so as not to rush through your routine. It should be a leisurely experience, not one that you feel you have to rush through. Additionally, turn on your favorite music to set the scene. Maybe you have a go-to playlist that helps you relax, or perhaps you prefer podcasts. As a final step before you begin your everything shower, consider incorporating aromatherapy with an essential oil diffuser. You can also set out your most comfortable pajamas to ensure that you are ready to get into bed immediately after your rinse.

During The Shower

In order to make sure that your hair is as clean as possible, add a clarifying shampoo or scalp scrub to your everything shower. These products should only be used once a week, though, because excessive use may cause dryness as a result of over-exfoliation. Speaking of exfoliation, use a body scrub in your everything shower, especially if you plan on shaving. Exfoliating before shaving will produce better results. As a quick note, make sure that you rinse off the scrub prior to shaving. Lastly, swap out your conditioner for a hair mask, especially if you have curly or chronically dry hair. A hair mask works best when used once a week. Massage it gently with your fingertips because massaging the scalp can increase circulation, which can enhance hair growth.

After the Shower

Applying a face mask after you step out of a steamy shower is an excellent way to pamper your skin. Depending on what your skin needs, face masks can provide hydration, gentle exfoliation, or brighten the skin. While you have your mask on, hydrate your skin with a body lotion, cream, or body butter. Considering that you just exfoliated in your everything shower, you want to replenish your skin with moisturizing ingredients to lock in moisture.

The last step of your everything shower routine is to simply relax. The ritual comes to a close when you sit down in your pajamas or bathrobe to read a book, sip some tea, or watch your favorite show. An everything shower can take a lot of work, so rest up to calm your mind before bed. You don’t have to take an everything shower the next day, so you can rest easy with that knowledge. 

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If you want to harness the healing power of plants, adding essential oils to your wellness routine is a great start. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts made by steaming or pressing plant parts to capture those unique compounds and scents. Besides the potent aromas from essential oils, the plant compounds in these oils offer unique health properties. However, if you want to reap those benefits, there are some tricks to using essential oils safely and effectively.

You can use various essential oils to address various ailments in the body. Some essential oils are great for your hair and skin, while others can help relieve muscle soreness, joint pain, or even ease depression. You don’t have to use essential oils topically, either. Adding them to a diffuser or a warm bath is a common practice in aromatherapy. The following tips will help you be safe with essential oils, all while reaping their health benefits. 

Do Dilute Your Essential Oils

One of the most important rules of essential oil use is that you have to dilute them in a carrier oil prior to topical application. The vast majority of pure essential oils are too concentrated to apply directly to the skin. Some essential oils, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, or cinnamon bark, can cause serious irritation. Great carrier oils to use are sweet almond, jojoba, olive, grapeseed, or borage. The general rule of thumb is to mix 8-10 drops of an essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil.

Don’t Assume All Essential Oils Are Created Equally

Because essential oils aren’t regulated in the United States, their quality can vary. Some essential oils contain synthetic ingredients instead of 100% plant material. They may smell like the plant, but they don’t have the same beneficial compounds that are responsible for the health benefits you’re after. Even if the essential oil is made from plants, a few factors can impact quality. The use of pesticides, packaging and handling errors, and improper storage can affect quality. WATCH OUT FOR THE WORD “FRAGRANCE” ON LABELS! Always do your research to ensure the quality of the oils you choose to buy. 

Do Store Them in A Cool, Dry Place

Like most natural beauty and healthcare products, essential oils have an expiration date. Most essential oils tend to last six months to a year, with citrus essential oils having the shortest shelf lives. Floral oils like chamomile and lavender, for example, have longer shelf lives. Heat exposure, however, will make the essential oils break down faster in sunlight, so store them in a cool, dry place to prolong their shelf life. 

Don’t Use Certain Oils While Pregnant

Safety is always key when it comes to essential oils. Do not use certain essential oils topically while pregnant, especially during the first trimester. Several studies concluded that the following oils should be avoided in any form, whether topical, diffused, or in hydrotherapy, during pregnancy:

• Basil essential oil
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Bitter almond essential oil
• Sage essential oil
• Cedarwood essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Marjoram essential oil
• Fennel essential oil
• Juniper essential oil
• Geranium essential oil
• Clary sage essential oil
• Wintergreen essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Myrrh essential oil

Do A Patch Test Always

The limbic brain anchors past experiences with associated aromas. Although personal preferences vary, smelling an essential oil’s aroma can determine your affinity for it. A negative emotional reaction to a smell can hinder any possible therapeutic benefits. Applying essential oils topically, even diluted in a carrier oil, can still cause a reaction, which is why you should always do a patch test to determine sensitivity. After applying the oil, wait 24 hours to see if you have a reaction or not. 

Don’t Ingest Essential Oils

Do not ingest essential oils. Many essential oils are toxic when taken internally, and an attempt to ingest essential oils should only occur under the direct care and advice of a highly competent and experienced aromatherapist with medical training. Ingesting essential oils as you please can result in serious health problems.

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Collagen is the beauty buzzword at the moment, and there is a constant quest to improve it or get more of it. Some people take ingestible powders while others apply skin care products that aim to enhance collagen function. In the simplest of terms, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and it is responsible for ensuring healthy skin, nails, and hair. That means that what you do, what you eat, and what you put on your skin can affect collagen and the skin carrier. 

As you age, the body’s ability to produce collagen declines and skin loses elasticity as a result. This is why skin starts to sag or wrinkle, but there are things you can do to prevent this from happening early on in life. We aren’t saying that you can avoid aging altogether, but there are habits to both take up and break to achieve a glowing complexion. For example, you can click here to learn more about foods that help enhance collagen production. And you can continue reading to learn about common habits that damage your collagen. 

Sun Exposure

There’s no denying the wonderful feeling that comes from laying in the sun on a pristine beach. You want to tan the skin to achieve a beautiful bronze hue, but sun exposure is a big problem for your skin. UV damage breaks down collagen at a faster rate than natural aging. UV rays penetrate the dermis (middle layer of the skin), causing an abnormal build-up of elastic fibers (responsible for wrinkles). Additionally, UV damage increases the production of free radicals, raising the number of enzymes that break down collagen. If you decide to spend some time in the sun, use sunscreen and find shade whenever you can. 

Stress

You may have heard that stress contributes to early signs of aging, and you heard correctly. Stress can increase inflammatory markers in the body, ultimately decreasing the body’s production of collagen. Granted, that isn’t the only negative effect that stress has on the body. It can also worsen mental health and increase unhealthy eating habits. This is why so many health experts encourage people to incorporate more stress-relieving activities into their lives. Anxiety or stress is not a walk in the park, so take the steps you need to take in order to curb the effects. Practice meditation, breathing techniques, aromatherapy, massage therapy, yoga, or Tai Chi to help manage stress. 

Lack Of Sleep

Everyone always says they need to get their beauty sleep, and there is truth to this. Sleep does wonders for immune function, mental health, and the body’s largest organ: the skin. Several studies found that lack of sleep can affect collagen production in the body. When the body produces less collagen, the signs of aging are more noticeable. Sleep experts encourage adults to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night for optimal health. Can healthy sleep habits make you look younger? This is up for debate, but it is one step to help to prevent collagen levels from declining.

Not Enough Vitamin C

In addition to enhancing immune function, vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis. This happens whether you apply a vitamin C product topically to the skin or eat vitamin C-rich foods. It is also a powerful antioxidant, which helps to fight free radicals that aim to break down collagen in the body. Because the human body cannot generate vitamin C on its own, it is your responsibility to obtain it via diet or supplements. You can click here to learn more about the best vitamin C foods to eat. 

These common habits can damage the collagen in your skin and contribute to accelerated skin aging. Remember, apply sunscreen when you go out in the sun and find ways to combat the stress in your life. Finally, get your beauty sleep and continue to eat vitamin C-rich foods to encourage optimal collagen production.

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