“Essential oils are super concentrated version of plant botanicals and because it takes a lot of raw materials to produce just a minuscule amount, you may suffer from sticker shock when purchasing essential oils. It takes about 12,000 rose buds, lots of time and manpower to produce a mere 5ml of rose essential oil – which explains its S$350 price tag! 

“Essential oils capture the essence and potency of the plant it is derived from and are widely used in aromatherapy and traditional medicine. Depending on the essential oil you are using, inhaling essential oils can help lift the spirits, improve concentration or help you unwind after a long day.”

Click on the next slide to see how you can use different oils for different skin concerns. 

Organic Sweet Almond Oil, $12

Most commonly found in Australia,  tea tree oil can help to balance oily skin, unclogs pores and most notably, helps to reduce acne inflammation and rid cuts of infections. 

Because essential oils are so potent, it’s important to remember that a little can go a very long way and overuse of essential oils can trigger allergies and skin sensitisation. To prevent overuse, never apply essential oils directly onto your skin – instead, dilute them in carrier oils such virgin coconut oil, sweet almond oil or jojoba oil before using.

Glow Facial Serum, starts at $25

Extracted from the geranium flower, geranium oil boosts blood circulation to help fight cellulite. When applied onto the face, it helps to tighten skin and promote cell growth. 

Skincare wise, the oil is commonly used to help regulate sebum and hormones to prevent breakouts and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 

You already know how chamomile has soothing effects — especially in tea — but did you know, it’s great for your skin too? 

Not only does it help to reduce inflammation in skin, it also helps to sooth sunburns and heals wounds faster. 

Adults should use a 2% essential oil dilution rate while children, pregnant women and the elderly should use no more than a 1% dilution. Although this might sound like a tiny amount, do not be tempted to add more as it can cause skin irritation. We are overexposed to artificial fragrances in almost everything we use so our nose might not be able to pick up the light, natural fragrance of essential oil at first – but rest assured it will continue to work even if you don’t smell it. 

Frankincense oil might not be as popular as other essential oils in the market but it’s got a whole host of benefits. 

Much like Roman Chamomile, Frankincense oil reduces inflammation and the look of sun and age spots. 

To create a 2% dilution meant for skincare, simply add 10-12 drops of essential oils into 30ml of carrier oil and stir gently. A 1% dilution should have no more than 4-6 drops. Store in a brown glass bottle and keep in a cool, dark place when not in use.

Rosemary Oil is slowly gaining popularity and it’s for good reason. 

Thanks to its astringent properties, it tightens skin and reduces swelling and puffiness. 

Vitamin C is slowly becoming a must-have ingredient in skincare products. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that prevent wrinkles and boost skin’s elasticity. Sweet Orange Oil is high in Vitamin C and encourages the production of collagen in skin. 

Confused as to how to shop for essential oils? Wendee shares how you can make the most out of your money: 

• Look out for the plant’s botanical name in the ingredients list and stay away from any mention ofparfum or fragrance as this means the essential oil has been blended with artificial ingredients.
• If it’s too good to be true, it usually is – with essential oils, you should expect to get what you pay for so it’s worth doing some research on average prices before buying.
• Buy from reputable sellers who specialise in essential oils instead of generic stores as you would have a higher chance of buying real, quality oils