Certain areas of natural skin care overlap. For example, the term botanical can refer to herbs, flowers, or even vegetables; however, when talking about flower essences, you’re automatically talking about aromatherapy–using the extracted oils from flowers for the health of body, mind, and soul.

Aromatherapy is a term that’s thrown around a lot, but most people don’t realize its importance to health and wellness. While it’s nice to take a whiff of something pleasant, true aromatherapy affects the brain. It causes a chemical reaction that aids in reducing pain and restoring health.

An essential oil’s aroma goes directly to our brain where it produces hormonal and neurochemical responses that flow through our bloodstream. This results in an enhancement to our immune system as well as reducing stress.

When flowers are distilled, two products are created–essential oil and flower essence. Because water and oil don’t mix, the essential oil flows to the top leaving the flower essence in the water below (hydrosol). The essential oil is highly concentrated and volatile–700 roses make one teaspoon of essential oil.

A flower essence, also known as a hydrosol, is the distilled water containing the extract of chemical hormones that make a flower bloom. Essences are very beneficial to the emotions because they break down attitudes that no longer serve our growth. For instance, the oil of lavender might be used to help the physical body relax, while the essence of lavender might help adjust an attitude.

So you’re thinking that’s nice, but what does this have to do with natural skin care? Well, there’s nothing like natural skin care products to regenerate and repair skin of all types and conditions. The same chemicals that affect your brain are just as powerful on your skin, but unlike synthetic chemicals that do their work indiscriminately, herbs and flower essences have a synergistic quality seems to know what areas to target.

The essential oils produced through the distillation process are volatile and are 100 times greater than the oil in the original plants so only a few drops are needed in a recipe to be effective. Additionally, essential oils contain 50 to 500 natural chemicals other than the predominant scent.

A great way to augment the effects of a face mask is to use essential oils. This mask is great for sensitive and dry skin, or after sun bathing.

Sensitive Skin Mask

Aloe Vera Mask for Healing and Soothing
3 Tbs pure and certified organic Aloe Vera juice
1 drop Helycrisum essential oil
1 drop rose essential oil

Combine all ingredients and apply mixture evenly on face and neck. Leave it on for at least 7 minutes and rinse with warm water.