Essential oils and natural botanicals are effective treatments for damaged and sensitive skin conditions. There are several natural extracts to choose from with powerful anti-inflammatory and cell regenerative healing properties. Essential oils help relieve the stress, hormone imbalance and nervous conditions that may be the leading cause of sensitive inflamed skin conditions. Natural, holistic methods – treating the physical symptoms, the emotions and addressing lifestyle and diet issues – are highly effective in relieving and managing some of the most difficult skin disorders, such as acne, atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
The Holistic Perspective
A deeper understanding of skin disorders is made when the relationship between skin and the neuro-immuno-edocrine interface (NIEI) is considered. This relationship is referred to as the neuro-immuno-cutaneous-endocrine network. As with many health disorders, diagnosing skin conditions may be challenging due to the complexities of the human being. A thorough consultation assists in unveiling the cause of skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, which may be due to determinable factors of stress, anxiety or food allergies. In a holistic diagnosis all detectable variables are considered along with their relationship to the skin.
Skin Disorders and Their Potential Cause
Internal inflammation – resulting from stress related cortisol release and inflammatory foods – and compromised immune function are suspected causes of damaged skin conditions. It’s important to consider the role stress plays in the inflammatory response and the resulting skin conditions. The following is a list of potential causes for eczema, acne, rosacea and other similar skin conditions.
- Allergies
- Auto-immunity
- Diet (poor diet, inflammatory foods, etc)
- Dietary sensitivity (celiac gluten sensitivity, etc)
- Environmental Causes
- Genetics
- Infection (bacterial, fungal, viral and demodex mite)
- Inflammation (cortisol release, “fight or flight response”)
- Irritant exposure (including detergents and personal care products)
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Medications
- Psychological factors
- Stress and anxiety
- Weakened immunity
Diet and Lifestyle as a Factor in Skin Disorders
It should be obvious to all that dietary and lifestyle issues are important factors in the health and well being of the body and mind. The recommendations made for general health and wellbeing; i.e., organic whole food diet, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories and essential fatty acids; are the same recommendations made for skin health. This is also true of lifestyle issues such as smoking, exercise, sleep, work and rest
Many skin conditions result from food sensitivities or allergies. Inflammatory foods, such as processed high glycemic foods, are believed to be major suspects in skin disorders. Environment is a contributing factor to skin irritation and inflammation as well. Environmental concerns include pollens, pollution, work environment and social environment. These issues must be addressed for successful treatment with essential oils and botanical extracts.
Evaluation and Formula For Difficult Skin Conditions
Following are some treatment examples based on a general evaluation of potential causes of the skin condition.
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis
This is a complicated inflammatory skin condition that is recognized by extremely itchy patches of skin that may be dry and flaky or sometimes oozing. There are immunological abnormalities and abnormal changes in blood vessels of the skin that are associated with atopic dermatitis. Eczema is a term used often for atopic dermatitis. It is more of a description of the symptoms when atopic dermatitis includes erythema, papules, pustules and crusting of the skin. Suspected causes include allergies, irritation, parasitic invasion, genetics, psychological factors and lifestyle issues.
Treatment:
Treatment formula for atopic dermatitis will be highly individualized with a common focus on anti-inflammatory and soothing essential oils. Oils containing sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons and sesquiterpene alcohols, especially (-) alpha-bisobolol, are ideal choices for atopic dermatitis. Therapeutic benefit and soothing quality is enhanced by including botanical extracts (vegetable and fruit oils, butters and herbals) that contain nourishing Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, and may include evening primrose, borage seed, blackberry seed or rosehip seed oils. Avocado, olive and jojoba are also beneficial and soothing base oils for atopic dermatitis. Shea butter is extremely soothing to irritated skin.
Suggested Formula:
Add the following essential oil drops to an oil based formula in a one ounce (30 ml) container with 10 ml coconut oil, 10 ml meadowfoam seed oil, 5 ml jojoba oil and 4 ml rose hip seed oil. Calendula Supercritical Extract can be added at 0.5% or 2 drops per ounce.
Or in a cream based one ounce container with 15 grams shea butter, 5 grams coconut oil, 3 grams aloe vera, 2 grams Vitamin E oil
4 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
Anti-Infectious, Ant-Inflammatory, Wound Healing
3 drops Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
Gentle Circulatory Stimulant, Autonomic Balance
3 drops German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Allergic, Soothing
4 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Soothing, General Skin Tonic, Balancing, Cell Regenerative, Anti-Infectious, Stress Reduction
3 drops Helichrysum italicum
Ant-Inflammatory, Cell Regenerative, Scar Reduction and Prevention
[Due to high cost and difficulty in finding true helichrysum you may replace with 2 drops Eucalyptus dives and 2 drops Katrafay (Cedrelopsis grevei)]
3 drops Rosemary Verbenone Type (Rosmarinus officinalis CT Verbenone)
Cell Regenerative, Scar Reduction and Prevention, Ant-Infectious
Psoriasis
This can be a mild erythema to a severe case that covers the body and requires emergency treatment. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease consisting of red papules that coalesce to form plaques with distinct borders. This condition has an increased rate at which skin cells proliferate leading to flare-ups of psoriasis. The cause is unknown and is sometimes acknowledged as an autoimmune disease, triggered by a stress and appears to be inherited. Recent research attributes dietary deficiencies of sulfur and essential fatty acids as a possible cause. Other theories include “leaky gut syndrome” which puts an eliminatory strain on the skin and decreases the immunoglobulins produced in the gut. Psoriasis is also related to poor diet, immune deficiency and emotional issues.
Treatment:
Treatment for psoriasis is similar to the treatment of atopic dermatitis and eczema. The only addition is to incorporate more essential oils that would soothe and balance the nerves, especially those oils containing high amounts of esters.
Add the following essential oil drops to an oil based formula in a one ounce (30 ml) container with 10 ml coconut oil, 10 ml meadowfoam seed oil, 5 ml jojoba oil and 4 ml rose hip seed oil. Calendula Supercritical Extract can be added at 0.5% or 2 drops per ounce.
Or in a butter base one ounce (30 ml) container with 15 grams shea butter, 5 grams cocoa butter, 3 grams aloe vera, 2 grams Vitamin E oil
Suggested Formula:
5 drops Cape Chamomile (Eriocephalus punctulatus)
Ant-Inflammatory, Stress Reduction, Calming
6 drops Geranium (Pelargonium asperum)
Adaptogen, Soothing, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Infectious, Calming, Healing
3 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Anti-Inflammatory, Cell and Tissue Regenerative, Calming, Antifungal, Regulates Seborrhea
3 drops Copaiba (Copaifera offcinalis)
Ant-Inflammatory, Cell Regenerative, Scar Reduction and Prevention
3 drops Cistus (Cistus landaniferus)
Skin Strengthening and Healing, Calming, Quiet Mind (Emotional) Chatter
Cedarwood and Rosemary Verbenone are highly recommended oils for psoriasis as well.
Rosacea
Selecting a formula for the sensitivity and inflammation of rosacea can be challenging due to the individual responses to ingredients. The suspected causes of rosacea are similar to those of atopic dermatitis with the added complication of demodex mite infestation. Calming the skin is the best focus for treatment of rosacea.
Treatment:
Add the following essential oil drops to an oil based formula in a one ounce (30 ml) container with 10 ml coconut oil, 10 ml meadowfoam seed oil, 5 ml jojoba oil and 4 ml castor oil. Calendula Supercritical Extract can be added at 0.5% or 2 drops per ounce.
Or in a butter or cream base one ounce (30 ml) container.
Suggested Formula:
3 drops Katrafay (Cedrelopsis grevei)
Ant-Inflammatory, Regenerative
3 drops German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Allergic, Soothing
3 drops Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)
Regenerative, Liver support, Strengthening
3 drops Elemi (Canarium luzonicum)
Anti-Inflammatory, Soothing, Regenerative
2 drops Cape Chamomile (Eriocephalus punculatus)
Ant-Inflammatory, Soothing, Anti-Anxiety and Stress Relief
2 drops Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Anti-inflammatory, Regenerative, Soothing
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