Synergy

Pre-produced synergy aromatherapy products like moisturisers, shampoos and aromatherapy bath oils, are good in the fact they are carefully measured and made in clean, sterile environments. This means there’s less chance of contamination or overuse of natural oils.

However, DIY versions are customisable, and therein lies the benefit. If you can’t find a premade shampoo or soap in a fragrance you like, you can simply purchase a base product and manufacture your own blended aromatherapy soap.

The debate between oils and moisturisers has been going on for years, but it comes down the personal preferences and circumstances.

Oils:

• Easily absorbed and mimic the structure of our body’s natural oils
• Made from purer, natural ingredients with fewer additives
• Excellent for acne-prone skin to reduce your sebum production.
  • The best essential oils for face are tea tree oil and rose oil.
• The best essential oils for face are tea tree oil and rose oil.
• Better used on wet skin

Moisturisers:

• Highly moisturising due to their water-based formula
• Good at penetrating the skin and improving moisture retention
• Certain additives and preservatives within can counterintuitively dry out the skin
• Better used on damp/dry skin

Go for oils if you’re fresh out the shower to lock in moisture, and use lotion or moisturiser the rest of the time. Remember to check out the label for chemicals and harmful ingredients before making any purchases.

Essential oils have little to no bearing on whether a shampoo or soap foams and creates a lather. It’s the detergent used within the formula that decides that.

The most common detergent is sulphates. Some soaps and shampoos are signposted as SLS-free – this means they don’t contain any sulphates but could contain alternative cleansers.

Depending on how intense you want your soothing, revitalising or detoxifying bath to be, add between one and two large handfuls (250-500g) to your running bath water and let them dissolve before slipping in and relaxing in your aromatherapy bath.

Top Tip: Add a few drops of diluted essential oil to the bath to see further benefits. The best essential oils for baths are lavender, rose or chamomile.