The magical world of Essential Oils

By Staci-lee Sherwood

Until the modern era, post WW2, most beauty and health products were either made at home or by a local alchemy practitioner. The ingredients used all came from local flowers, plants, leaves, fruit and roots and of course it was all organic and non gmo.  The knowledge of learning what plants to use and for what ailment was passed down from generation to generation for centuries.  Much of this knowledge was lost once we started to modernized with development of stores where the public was reliant on the store owner for providing what their ancestors had made themselves since the beginning of time. 

After WW2 shopping malls sprang up consolidating many stores in one place, making this convenient for shopping. Once the internet took off many local stores were put out of business and the consumer became more dependent on online shopping .  All this played a role in diminishing the quality of products.  Once organic products now had to contain preservatives since they were stored in warehouses and shipped all over the world.  After a few decades of commercialization of beauty and health products a growing trend of do it yourself has sprouted up.  

The alchemy lab of yesterday

Why commercial beauty and health products can be toxic

Any product not made by you will have some type of preservative.  Most commercial products also contain artificial dyes for color along with added fillers or stabilizers.  While the European Union has banned many toxic chemicals used in cosmetics the USA still allows them.  The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has been grossly inept and lax when it comes to safety in products often choosing corporate friends over science and citizens’ health. 

Some of the toxic chemicals used in common personal care products are those listed below but there can be dozens used in one product.  Many labels don’t list all the ingredients because such a small amount is used and falls under the ‘inert’ listing.  When it comes to safety no amount, regardless of FDA approval, is truly safe for a toxin like mercury, lead or formaldehyde. 

 

The term inert implies inactive or has no effect but if that’s true why add it at all?

Commonly used chemicals in cosmetics and should be avoided:

Parabens -  endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormonal and cellular function

Phthalates - are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormonal and cellular function

Formaldehyde - known carcinogen and respiratory irritant

Mineral oil – sounds sublime and natural but it comes from oil

Click here to read more about the dangerous chemicals used in beauty products and how to avoid them. 

https://www.ewg.org/the-toxic-twelve-chemicals-and-contaminants-in-cosmetics

https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/

The US government has a bill in Congress designed to begin to address these concerns.  If you care about safety in products you use on your skin, which absorbs everything into your blood stream, please call your Senator and Congressman and ask they bring this to a vote and vote for it. As it stands now the big pharma and chemical companies will block this from coming to a vote.  The media won’t mention it as they too are mostly owned by corporations.  It’s up to the consumer to look out for themselves. This is one more reason to make as many of these products yourself and bypass the safety issues. 

H.R.4433 - Toxic-Free Beauty Act of 2025 -

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban certain substances in cosmetic products.  This bill is cosponsored by 11 democrats waiting in the house energy and commerce committee and won’t get out of committee without a big public push for it.

DIY – do it yourself is a growing trend 

Over the past few years many studies have come to light about the long list of toxins used in commercial beauty and healthy products (household cleaning products too).  As consumers learn about the rising incidents of cancer and other diseases from this exposure their growing concern about their health has led to a desire to go toxic free, and that often means making it yourself.

I’ve spent years creating my own skin toners, mouthwash, aftershave and facial masks for myself and others.  It’s a fun creative way to steer away from possible health problems and can often be less expensive.  This allows one to customize any product to exactly what they need, especially for those with allergies and sensitivities that commercial products can make worse. 

The basics of essential oils and carrier oils

Before using any oil always test first by putting a dab on the top of your hand, which is pretty tough, to ensure no allergic reaction.  Not every oil is for everyone one and not everyone has the same results.  Essential oils and herbs are designed to work with your body, not change it, force it to do something or replace a normal function.  Many choose essential oils either to enhance their use of commercial products or replace their use of them.  All commercial products have some ingredient that isn’t natural and many can be toxic with dangerous side effects.  We can’t make everything ourselves but many beauty and health products we can make at home and lower our exposure to toxins.

Not every oil needs a carrier oil but most do  A carrier oil helps to carry the properties onto your skin and help dilute the oil’s potency.  Most of these oil like coconut, almond, rosehip or jojoba should be fine for most people to use.  Some oils like Tea Tree don’t need a carrier oil, I’ve used it directly on skin for 30 years and it works like magic on itchy bug bites instantly.  For those with very sensitive skin you should try a test first or use a carrier oil along with Tea Tree oil.  Coconut and almond oil have been used in cooking for decades and shouldn’t pose a problem but always test before using.  Here are some of the benefits of carrier oil:

• Coconut oil: Helps soften hair and skin

• Almond oil: Improves hair moisture, helps soothe the scalp, and combat hair loss.

• Olive oil: Helps improve skin elasticity and prevents split ends from developing

• Jojoba oil: Adds nutrients, moisturizes hair, and stimulates hair follicles into action

Some easy homemade recipes for everyone

Below are some of the DIY homemade recipes I’ve created and used for years.  They’re easy to try and when using essential oil or dried flowers you actually use a lot less because they’re stronger and more pure than what you typically buy in stores.  The bottle of most oils seems tiny but when using only a few drops at a time it can last weeks or longer.  When using essential oil it’s important to only use glass containers, airtight when possible and keep out of direct sunlight.  Bottles that are dark blue, green or amber are best they block light and help preserve your oils naturally.

Do your research into what type of products you’re looking for, are they for adding shine to hair a glow to skin or addressing a sensitivity to chemicals?  Always do a tiny skin test of 1 drop on your hand to check for a reaction as everyone’s chemistry is different.  This uniqueness is one reason to go your own way and make your own customized products, avoiding toxins is another.  Homemade recipes also avoid testing on animals which is cruel but also fails to really protect consumers from dangerous chemicals.  Your health and looks will thank you for it.

Aftershave  - For a soothing aftershave especially for sensitive skin try this:

• Airtight 8oz glass container

• 6oz  distilled water

• 1/2 TBSP  apple cider vinegar raw unfiltered organic

• 1 TSPS   Grapeseed extract

• 10  drops Lavender oil

• 5  drops Tea tree oil

• 2  drops Chamomile oil

  
  

Mouthwash – Most contain dyes and sugar so try this for fresh breathe without the toxins:

• Glass container 8oz or larger

• Fill with boiled water

• Add 10 drops Peppermint oil

• After every brushing just swoosh and spit leaves mouth and teeth fresh

  
  

Skin toner –  for glowing skin

• Small glass bowl to mix

• 5 drops Lavender oil

• 5 drops Chamomile oil

• 5 drops Plantain oil

• Mix together and massage into skin, leave on all day or overnight

  
  

Bug bites  –  to help with itching and burning try this:

• 1 drop Tea tree oil takes away the itch of many insect bites (I’ve used it for 30 years)

• A dot of fresh Aloe vera from a plant is also soothing

  
  

Healthy hair –  To add volume to hair without harsh chemicals or blow dryers try this:

• Glass bowl

• 5 drops Rosemary oil

• ½ teaspoon Coconut oil

• Mix together with fingers

• Wet hair

• Massage for 5 minutes in hair before rinsing

• Use with every shampoo

  
  

To replace traditional hot oil treatments this will nourish and soften  your hair and leave tangle free try this:

• Using room temperature Coconut oil massage into all of your hair (you can also add an essential oil like Lavender or Orange for a pleasant smell)

• Wrap hair in towel and leave for 20-30 minutes

• Rinse and wash with shampoo

Foot soak –  For a soothing soak after a long day try this

• Large plastic or glass container large enough for 2 feet

• Fill a container with as warm water as you can stand

• Add 10 drops Peppermint or Spearmint oil

• Soak until water cools

  
  

Fragrance – for a fresh scent

• Glass spray bottle

• Organic vanilla bean extract (or almond, orange)

  
  

Home & bath freshener – for a fresh natural scent replaces the smell of artificial chemicals can be used anywhere

For a fresh pine scent:

• Wide mouth glass jar

• Peppermint or spearmint oil

• 1 tea light candle

• Pine needles optional

• Fill jar halfway with water

• Add 10 drops of oil

• Add tea light candle and light

For a warm happy aroma:

• Wide mouth glass jar

• Pine cones

• Powdered cinnamon

• Vanilla oil or extract

• Fill jar with pine cones

• Lightly pour cinnamon

• Add 5 drops vanilla

• Lightly shake

Potpourri – replaces breathing harsh chemicals sprayed into the air

• Wide mouth glass jar

• Dried flower leaves like rose, lavendar or jasmine

• Dried orange or lemon peel chopped

• Essential oil like orange, vanilla, jasmine or lavender (you can use one or all of them together)

• Powdered cinnamon

• Toss in the flowers and peel

• Add 10 drops of oil if using one or 5 drops of each if using many oils

• Add 1 tbsp cinnamon to mix

• Lightly shake and scent should be subtle and last about a month

Be creative have fun enjoy making something uniquely designed only for you.

Also published on Spirit of change on September 22, 2025

https://www.spiritofchange.org/10-magical-essential-oil-beauty-and-health-care-products-to-make-at-home/