Caring for your health is one of the most important ways of looking after yourself – both body and mind – which will reap benefits now and in the future. In the warmer months especially, it is vital to drink enough water, wear sun protection, eat a fresh wholesome diet and perform a daily exercise which you enjoy. Don’t forget to keep a bottle of your favourite aromatic flower water in your bag too when you are out and about, to provide a welcome spritz of cool, fragrant refreshment whenever you need it.
Hippocrates also famously recommended a daily aromatic bath followed by a fragrant massage using essential oils to promote beauty, wellbeing and longevity. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to care for your body and mind based on traditional naturopathic practises – exfoliation, bathing and self-massage – using pure botanicals and aromatics, which can be specifically tailored to your personal routine and skin type.
1. The Importance of Exfoliating the Skin
Regular exfoliation is a game-changer for achieving soft and silky-smooth skin. By removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, it allows oils and moisturisers to penetrate deep into the cellular layers and to keep it hydrated. This a key step to incorporate into your routine 2-3 times a week.
Salt Scrub for Normal, Oily & Combination Skin:
If you have normal to oily skin, use Dead Sea Salt or Epsom Crystals to carefully scrub the skin in circular motions to exfoliate it effectively – this is easy to perform pre-bathing in the bath or shower. Add 2 drops of rosemary, juniperberry or grapefruit essential oils to a handful of salt to give your skin an additional refreshing glow. You can also perform dry skin brushing pre-bathing while the skin is still dry as an extra energising boost – see directions below.
Dry Skin Brushing for Dry, Mature & Sensitive Skin:
If your skin is dry or sensitive, a great way to exfoliate your skin without robbing your skin of its natural moisture is through gentle, dry skin brushing. This is not to be done when the skin is already wet, but ideally is performed as a pre-bathing ritual. This process detoxifies the skin, increases circulation and helps to break down any stubborn cellulite tissue whilst also toning and promoting suppleness. Choose from our range of natural fibre bath mitts & gloves for a 100% natural way to keep your skin radiant.
2. The Benefits of Aromatic Bathing
For me, the pleasure of relaxing in an aromatic bath is one of simple luxuries of life! An evening bath is the perfect opportunity to switch off at the end of the day and to indulge oneself a little, to turn down the lights and maybe enjoy a glass of wine. A morning aromatic bath or shower ritual is also a great way to set a positive self-care compass for the day ahead.
Morning Bathing Ritual:
An aromatic shower using reviving essentials oils is an instant way to feel rejuvenated and refreshed, especially after a late night out. To enhance your morning shower ritual, allow the refreshing notes of petitgrain, lime or lemon to uplift and revive your senses for a joyful and energised start to your day. Simply put a few drops of your chosen essential oil onto the base of the shower tray (or direct to your mitt) to enjoy their reviving steamy vapours.
Evening Bathing Ritual:
As your day begins to wind down, it’s time to soothe your mind and body as part of your self-care ritual. Embrace the lazy mood of summer with a warm bath adding up to 10 drops of a soothing essential oil to the water, such as sandalwood, lavender, vetivert or chamomile. Then just relax and allow the soothing aromas to melt away the busyness of your day. I like to begin my evening bath ritual by creating a spa atmosphere in my home. I have written about the multiple benefits of this age-old tradition in my recent book ‘Mud, Salt & Medicine: Essential Oil Blends & Recipes for Natural Healing’. The book also contains lots of recommendations on how enhance your wellbeing and how to care for different skin types simply via aromatic bathing.
3. Botanical Body Oils for Skincare & Self-Massage
Applying a daily body oil as a form of self-massage is an ideal way of maintaining moisture and giving your skin a healthy, vibrant look for summer. We offer a sumptuous range of 10 unique body oils – some which soothe and quieten body & mind, such as our best-selling ‘Tranquility‘; others which enliven the senses, such as our award-winning ‘After Dark‘; while some focus more on purely physical benefits, such as our ‘Natural Detox‘ which helps eliminate cellulite, especially in combination with dry skin brushing.
Post Bathing Ritual for Normal, Oily & Combination Skin:
All our body oils are suited for normal-oily-combination skin types, so feel free to select your preference. My top tip for a post bathing ritual is as follows: -Directly after soaking up the fragrances of a warm aromatic bath, dry yourself with a towel and then apply your chosen body oil while your skin is still damp for maximum hydration. This is essential for locking in moisture to keep your skin nourished and supple. Using a body oil during summer, whatever your skin type, is vital to combat any dryness and to protect your skin from environmental stressors such as sun exposure and heat.
Post Bathing Ritual for Dry, Mature & Sensitive Skin:
If you have dry, mature or sensitive skin it is especially important to maintain adequate moisture levels in your skin during the summer months. It has been proven that well-hydrated skin becomes wrinkled or damaged at a fraction of the rate of dry skin. Our classic velvety-textured Wild Rose Body Oil is recommended for dry and mature skin types, being based on our exquisite wild rose absolute, which instantly calms the skin and helps reduce fine lines. Our popular fragrance-free ‘Feed Your Skin‘ is especially suited to sensitive skin, which is packed full of natural nutrients and vitamins, including jojoba and avocado oil, for a deeply nourishing effect.