The allure of essential oils for clearing your head or giving you a fragrant scent is nothing new. Their use dates back thousands of years, and they’ve recently been sung by everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Miranda Kerr. Plus, they offer some serious mind-body benefits. “Because your sense of smell is wired very early in the brain’s wiring to emotional centers, the distance between when a scent hits your nose and when it resonates with you is very short,” explains molecular neurobiologist Leslie B. Voshall, PhD, of Rockefeller University. trendFeatured in the June 2019 issue.
Best Essential Oils
“Inhaling essential oil vapors can instantly shift your brain patterns, making you feel calmer and more relaxed,” says aromatherapist and author Everyday Essential Oils: Rituals and Remedies for Healing, Happiness, and Beauty. “They’re not a cure” and they’re not a substitute for medication, she points out, but they are a “valuable avenue for taking care of yourself” – and don’t we all need to do more of that?
Below, our experts break down everything you need to know about the best essential oils to buy, as well as how, when, and where you should use them.
What are essential oils good for?
“Essential oils are a natural, holistic way to address many of the health issues that arise from the stress in our lives,” Gillerman said, adding that the benefits range from improving sleep and reducing tension to boosting energy to counteract daytime fatigue. “Unlike medications, essential oils are not a cure, but a way to take better care of yourself.”
A blend is probably best
“Blends of two to five essential oils are more effective than one oil alone,” says Gillerman, explaining that the oils work together to more effectively address certain health concerns. And what might be a strong scent on its own can be balanced out when mixed with other oils. So, “Ylang-ylang on its own has a heavy, almost medicinal sweetness that many people say they dislike. But when combined with other essential oils, the sweetness is toned down to a warm, slightly fruity scent that makes this oil a fun addition to any ‘happiness blend.'”
The best essential oils for every problem
For anxiety
To ease anxiety, look for oils that contain vetiver, neroli, clary sage, or geranium. Start with Vitruvi’s 100% pure geranium oil, which has a soothing floral scent, or Plant Therapy’s clary sage oil, which is formulated to balance emotions and symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. To relieve stress on the go, try Aromatherapy Associates’ De-Stress Mind Roller Ball, which helps clear your head and calm your mind. Or you might be better off with Osea’s Vagus Nerve Oil, which blends meadowfoam seed, rosemary, lavender, and other botanicals to promote a sense of calm and balance.
For sleep and relaxation
Lavender, chamomile and rose oils promote relaxation and healthy sleep. Tata Harper’s Irritability Treatment, applied to the palms and pulse areas, stimulates feelings of optimism and wellbeing while relieving negativity and stress. Campo’s Sleep Blend is infused with lavender and Roman chamomile to promote a good night’s sleep, while This Works oil is packed with lavender, vetiver and patchouli to help you feel calm before bed.
For mental concentration
“Studies have shown that peppermint essential oil increases energy and focus. The scent of peppermint is stimulating and invigorating, making it a great essential oil for increasing focus and attention,” Green explains. That’s why she recommends Public Goods’ Peppermint Essential Oil. Or go for rosemary or a vibrant scent to give you the boost you need to get that item off your to-do list. Try Vitruvi’s Boost or Saje’s Brainstorm oil blends, or Neom’s Focus The Mind blend, which comes in a trio of stimulating scents of pine, cedarwood, and eucalyptus to promote clarity and focus.
For Energy
Feeling low on energy? Look for oils that contain eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, cypress, and cardamom. In fact, De Mamiel’s Altitude Oil blends these oils together for an instant energy boost. Or, if you want to recreate that feeling of just leaving the spa, try Alo’s Breathe & Spa blend, which you can rub onto your palms or add to your bath for an energizing boost.
To improve your mood
“At Peace is an essential oil blend with lime, grapefruit, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang oils,” recommends Green. “The scent of this essential oil is fresh, citrusy, and slightly sweet, helping to lift your mood while also providing a relaxing effect.” Plus, bergamot, jasmine, neroli, and lemon are sure to brighten your day. You’ll be pleased to smell these scents from Cap Beauty’s Anointing Oils, as well as options from Aveda, Gya Labo, and Plant Therapy.
For muscle pain
Is sore muscles ruining your day? Add Vetiver, Peppermint, Helichrysum and Pine essential oils to your routine. Gillerman’s Tension Remedy relieves headaches and shoulder pain, while Saje’s Pain Release can be rolled over painful areas of the body to release tension and relax sore muscles. If you prefer pure peppermint oil, Cliganic offers this top-class option to massage into sore areas.
For rejuvenation
When you need a holistic pick-me-up to perk up your day or refresh your space, look to essential oils to give you the boost you need. Pause’s Cooling Mist is a blend of false day and basil leaf extracts that soothe and reduce inflammation. The mist provides a cooling effect on skin, instantly relieving overheating and hot flashes, while Alo’s Cleanse & Detox is infused with tea tree oil to purify skin and promote deep healing.
Essential oil set
Having an essential oil set on hand can help you pick the right one for your mood, or if you simply want to try a few different scents. Either way, the Saje and Neom collections offer four versatile 100% essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin or dropped into a diffuser. The Cliganic set has five options for a variety of concerns: lemongrass, eucalyptus, orange, lavender, and peppermint. Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind or cleanse and detox, pick up the Alo essential oil collection for an instant mood boost.
How to use essential oils
“Inhaling mindfully and smelling essential oils is the quickest way to change your state of mind and stress levels,” says Gillerman. She recommends setting your intention before placing a drop of essential oil in the center of your palms. Then rub your hands together and bring them up to your face, then breathe in slowly through your nose. Other methods include “smelling” with topical essential oils (dotting peppermint on your temples can help relieve headaches, for example), adding a few drops of a relaxing blend to your bath, or using an essential oil diffuser to scent the entire space.
What to know before buying essential oils
With such a crowded market, it can be hard to know which essential oils to invest in, which is why Gillerman stresses the importance of buying directly from an aromatherapist and buying certified organic essential oils. “Look for quality, not bargains,” she says, noting that many essential oils are “adulterated, diluted, or over-processed,” which can “reduce their potency and irritate the skin and respiratory tract.” She also doesn’t recommend amassing a large collection. Instead, start with the essentials: purifying citrus fruits, mood-boosting flowers (like lavender), relaxing resins and roots (like frankincense, cedarwood, and vetiver), and stimulating scents (like basil and rosemary).
If you’re planning on applying essential oils to your face, New York City dermatologist Michelle Green, MD, recommends doing a patch test first to make sure they don’t irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. “To do a patch test, mix the essential oil with a carrier oil of the same concentration as you plan to apply it. Apply a small amount of the mixture to the inside of your arm and cover it with a band-aid. Observe the area after about 48 hours,” says Green. If there’s no irritation, the oil should be safe to use on other parts of your body.
