Essential oils have been around for thousands of years, and they’ve come back on our radar in a big way over the past few years.

They don’t just smell incredible - these oils are powerful pick-me-ups that have health and wellness benefits. After all, that’s why they call it aromatherapy. 

Here’s our beginners guide to essential oils and how to use them effectively.

What are essential oils?

Before we dive into what you can do with essential oils, let’s talk about what they are. In a nutshell, essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. The oil is usually taken from the most fragrant part of the plant. So, rose oil is extracted from the petals and orange is taken from the peel. 

The best brands distil those oils directly into bottles. At RAWW Cosmetics, our range of essential oils are 100% pure - which means they’re free from nasties like synthetic fragrances. When you’re using essential oils, always read the label to make sure they’re of high quality.

4 Ways To Use Essential Oils

There are tons of ways to use essential oils to boost your mood, calm your body and even clean your home! These are four of our favourite ways to make the most of your essential oils:

1. Diffuse Them

If you’re using essential oils for an emotional reason - like to ease your anxiety, energise your mind or promote sleep - inhaling them is your best bet. When you diffuse an essential oil, the aroma fills the air and can do wonders for your state of mind. 

Choose a scent that suits your mood. The Pep Up Essential Oil is great when you wake up and the Cedarwood Pure Essential Oil is a bedtime favourite.

To create the atmosphere you want, add 5-10 drops of essential oil to the Aroma Diffuser and let it work its magic. The diffuser uses ultrasonic technology to release the essential oils into the air and it has 7 LED light colour options to choose from. We like using the brighter colours to invigorate us in the morning and the softer ones when we’re winding down at night. As for how long you should diffuse essential oils, an hour is the sweet spot. 

2. Spritz Them

Another way to fill your home with fragrance is to simply spray them in the air! Creating your own custom spritzer is easy. Just add 6-10 drops of oil to 100mL of water, stir and you’re good to go. 

If you’re trying to make the switch to natural household cleaning products, essential oils are great. When you’re making your custom spritz, choose essential oils with antibacterial properties to lift dirt and detoxify any surfaces, like the Orange Pure Essential Oil or Lime Pure Essential Oil. The best bit? Your home will smell citrusy-fresh for days! 

3. Pop Them In The Bath 

For a next-level soak, add a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath. Then, sit back, relax and let the aroma from the oil waft over you. The Lavender Pure Essential Oil will help you drift off to dreamland afterwards and the Zen Time Essential Oil Blend will calm and soothe your body and mind. While you can pour almost any oil you like into your bath, try to steer clear of cinnamon, oregano and lemongrass as they may irritate sensitive skin. 

4. Massage Them In 

People always ask, can you put essential oils on your skin? The answer is yes - if they’re high-quality essential oils. But since essential oils are so potent, you’ll need to dilute them with a carrier oil, such as our Superfood Concentrate Massage Oil. The silky-smooth formula contains sweet almond and jojoba oil, and glides beautifully on the skin. You can use it on its own or mix with 3-5 drops (for every 10mL) of essential oils.  

Start by massaging your feet, and then work your way up your body, paying special attention to any tense or stiff areas. 

Top Tip: Tummy troubles? Try mixing the Peppermint Pure Essential Oil with a carrier oil and gently massage your stomach in wide circular motions. This stimulates the digestive system and can help to ease bloating. 

Meet Your Essential Oil Match 

Did you know you can use essential oils on their own or mix them to create your own custom blend? With aromatherapy, the options are endless.