Hello.
I love putting my favorite essential oils in the hot bath for my relaxation and healing my body at home. If you are reading this post, I’m sure you also enjoy aromatherapy baths.
However, have you ever experienced skin irritation instead of being healed and relaxed?
Perhaps the cause is the wrong way to put the essential oil in the bath.
When you enjoy the aromatherapy bath, you should avoid putting the essential oil directly into the hot water.
In today’s post, I will tell you
- What causes skin irritation in the aromatherapy bath?
- How to treat skin troubles?
- Items to avoid skin troubles
By the end of this article, you will know how to enjoy the aromatherapy bath safely.
What Irritates Your Skin In An Aromatherapy Bath?
If you do not use essential oils for the hot bath properly, it will be counterproductive and risky for your skin.
You’re not doing something below?
- You are not using therapeutic grade essential oils
- Add essential oils directly in the hot water
- Use some essential oils likely cause skin irritation
Use Non-Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils
You need to buy an essential oil that is certified as therapeutic grade 100% pure essential oil especially for when applying your body directly such as the hot bath.
You can see many kinds of essential oils through different brands on the market, and those prices are telling you facts produced in different ways and for different purposes.
Synthetic essential oils are artificially created just for enjoying the scent. Sometimes called fragrant oil is a cheap oil sold at general stores and the ingredients are full of additives.
It is absolutely not recommended to use it in aromatherapy.
100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils have very strict quality requirements.
Always look at bottle levels (and do not buy non-level), and check out whether it’s 100% pure essential oil at least. If you would like to get more information deeper, choose products that you can easily access to information on their website.
Another standard that tells you it is high-grade oils is, yes, “the price”.
Normally, the high-grade therapeutic essential oil costs two-three times more expensive than the others.
To determine if it is a genuine essential oil, check carefully the level on the bottle.
- Is it 100% natural pure oil?
- Is it labeled “essential oil”?
- Scientific name
- Country of origin
- Extraction method
Add Essential Oils Directly In The Hot Water
Adding essential oils directly to hot water cause skin irritation because they are natural plant oils that are extracted and concentrated.
It is not recommended to use undiluted essential oils for purposes other than fragrance because it causes skin troubles.
Additionally, in the hot water, water and oil will not be mixed and the oil goes on the surface of the skin.
Therefore, the skin is irritated.
Which Essential Oils Can Irritate Skin?
In addition, some essential oils are naturally prone to skin irritation such as citrus essential oils (orange, lemon, lime, bergamot) and spice-based (cinnamon, basil).
This does not mean that it should not be used in aromatherapy baths.
With proper use, skin irritation can be avoided.
However, it is better to check out the oil characters for those who have sensitive skin.
Even if you are not a person with sensitive skin, still recommend a patch test before trying the oil.
A Simple patch test
- Dilute the essential oil you want to use on the inside and outside of your elbows and arms with a carrier oil and apply it in a small area with a cotton swab.
- Cover with cotton, tape with a bandage, and check your skin after 24 hours.
- Your skin will react if you have allergic to the oil.
How To Treat When Your Skin Irritated By Essential Oils
So what should you do when you have a skin problem?
If you feel partially irritated, remove essential oils rubbing skins with oil-based make-up remover if you have. You can use the olive oil you have at home as a substitute.
Then take a shower and gently wash off with soap.
If your skin is too irritating and itchy or sore, go to a dermatologist immediately for proper treatment.
Use Carrier Oil For Aromatherapy Bath
This is a method of diluting essential oils with a carrier oil (plant-based natural oil).
As I said, essential oils are extracted and concentrated from plants so it is too strong for human skin when applied as it is.
Essential oils must be diluted appropriately depending on the purpose.
Carrier oils dilute the essential oils and help your skin from allergic reactions.
Carrier oils are usually vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and people also sometimes use aloe vera gels and unscented body lotions.
Use Emulsifier
Carrier oil really helps to avoid your skin from trouble, but, hot water and the oil will be still separated when using carrier oil only.
To solve this problem, mix an emulsifier together.
By emulsifying, the oil is mixed in the water well, and you can enjoy the aromatherapy bath more.
