4 Main Beauty Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
/We all know how eucalyptus smells - its scent is fresh, crisp and stimulating. Throughout history it has been used in many different ways – to improve scents and flavors, enhance health (mostly for respiratory issues), as a cleansing agent and even as an insect repellent. And, of course, it has found its place in the skincare world, too.
Eucalyptus essential oil is distilled from the leaf of an evergreen tree that grows mostly in Australia. The oil is pale yellow and it has a “cooling” effect on the skin. As with most essential oils, eucalyptus oil is very potent. It should never be applied undiluted directly to the skin, and doing a patch test first is always advised.
You can find eucalyptus oil in many bath and body products, and it is especially appreciated for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Here are the main beauty benefits you can get from using eucalyptus essential oil on your skin…
Looking for a Product with Eucalyptus?
Try our creamy, nourishing Frosted Peppermint Body Butter!
Improves Dry Skin
Eucalyptus essential oil is a great addition to your skincare regimen if you have dry or damaged skin. Even though you cannot use it on its own, even small amounts of this oil can strengthen the benefits and moisturizing abilities of your regular body lotion or butter.
Normal skin type produces just enough oil to keep the skin optimally protected with ceramides which form the skin’s protective barrier, maintains the skin optimally moisturized and protects it against the environment. However, dry skin type lacks ceramides, which leads to the compromised skin barrier, loss of moisture and various irritations.
Eucalyptus essential oil boosts ceramide production so moisturizers that contain eucalyptus essential oil can help you improve your skin’s condition and appearance, replenish the barrier and prevent future drying out.
Prevent Premature Aging Signs
Free radicals are the main enemy of your skin. They cause the skin to age faster, which damages healthy skin cells and affects the skin’s firmness and elasticity.
Eucalyptus leaves are a great source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that protect your skin against the damaging effect of free radicals. They help maintain the levels of collagen in your skin, delay the formation of wrinkles and fine lines and keep the skin healthy and youthful.
Plus, the moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects of eucalyptus essential oil can also be very beneficial for mature skin, which often becomes dry and sensitive.
Relieve Sunburns and Minor Skin Wounds
There are several reasons why eucalyptus oil is a great choice for treating cuts, sores, bug bites, scrapes and sunburns. It can somewhat enhance and speed up the skin healing process, and its antiseptic properties can prevent the development of an infection.
Plus, eucalyptus oil has soothing and cooling properties that can help calm the inflamed skin and ease the pain. If you’ve been out in the sun for a bit too long and ended up with a painful sunburn, a refreshing eucalyptus lotion might be exactly what you need.
If you like to DIY your products, there is a very simple soothing spray you can make for your sunburns. All you need is 2 - 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel and 2 ounces of distilled water. Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well.
Natural Scalp and Hair Treatment
Eucalyptus oil has natural antifungal properties that can help you get rid of the yeast that is the main cause of dandruff in most cases. Plus, its moisturizing effect can nourish and soothe the scalp skin, which is often dry and neglected.
Even if you don’t want to use store-bought anti-dandruff shampoos, you can still use eucalyptus essential oil to clear out your scalp and improve its health and appearance. All you have to do is mix 2 - 3 drops of eucalyptus oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your scalp, massage it in well and leave it on for around 20 minutes. Then just wash your hair as you normally would.
Not only will this treatment condition and restore your scalp, but your hair afterward will look shinier, healthier and more flexible.