Elle Australia - 10.2018

tial Oil

UNG

g.

AU

PanAway Esseny

Blend,$78,YO

LIVIN ,

EssentialPeppermintOil, com/en_A

$35.30,

DÒTERRA,

doterra.com.au

Tea Tree Essential Oil,

$32.65,DÒTERRA,

doterra.com.au

can effectively treat any condition, so be aware of

exaggerated claims,” says Paulino de Carvalho.

When it comes to their effect on mood

and cognition, the direct evidence is fuzzy.

General scent studies do show that mood and

productivity increase when someone smells

something good (whether it be rose oil or freshly

baked cookies). And the power of suggestion is very

real: research proves if you’re told you’re smelling

a relaxing scent, you feel more relaxed.

Interested in dabbling? Selecting a quality oil is,

um, essential. “Look for the Latin name of the plant on

the packaging, as there can be several different

species,” says Paulino de Carvalho. “A statement

about its purity or organic status is also important.

And be wary of price; if an oil is significantly cheaper

than other brands, that may be a warning sign it

contains artificial or low-grade ingredients.”

Diffusers or vaporisers also vary greatly in quality

(something from a reputable brand like doTERRA or

Young Living is a safe bet), but consider going

old-school with a candle burner, suggests beauty

therapist Jocelyn Petroni, who incorporates oils in her

chic Sydney salon. “I prefer the way an oil burner

releases the essential oils into the atmosphere for

a clean aroma,” she says. “Burning essential oils is not

really burning them at all, but rather warming them to

a temperature that releases them purely into the

atmosphere. I also love the ambience of a candle,

it creates a beautiful glow while subtly scenting

the salon.”

For topical applications, Petroni recommends

grape seed oil as the carrier or base (it’s rich in

vitamin E), mixing in a few drops depending

on your concern (spot test as sensitive skin may

react). “Ylang ylang is best for oily skin due to its

balancing properties, while rosehip oil is great for

aged skin — it’s full of fatty acids and antioxidants.”

Whether you’re a fully-fledged devotee or total

sceptic, essential oils have their place — just

keep your expectations in check. E

Words: Janna Johnson O’Toole. Photography: Sevak Babakhani (still-life); Kathrin Makowski/Blaublut-Edition.com

IF YOU’RE NOT POLISHING YOUR CRYSTALS

while distilling essential oils, are you even serious

about your health? Well, yes, you are, but it’s not

that far-fetched of a question for anyone who’s

ever fallen down the social-media rabbit hole

of essential oils — there are millions of posts

touting their life-changing benefits.

“The resurgence in essential oils is likely due

to the ever-growing trend towards ‘natural’,” says

João Paulino de Carvalho, Swisse Wellness science

expert. “Being naturally derived from plant sources,

essential oils tend to be considered more effective

than man-made ingredients; however this may not

always be the case.”

Some oils are backed by legit research. Lab

studies show that lavender and tea-tree oil kill germs,

such as common strands of fungi and bacteria, but

there have been very few studies around the efficacy

and safety of ingesting essential oils (so spike your

tea with caution). “It’s important to understand there

isn’t sufficient scientific data to back that essential oils

Tired? Cranky? Unwell?

There’s an essential oil for that.

But are their healing powers

real or just a placebo?

Desert Mist Essential Oil

Diffuser, $138.15,

YOUNG LIVING,

youngliving.com /en_AU

scentsational

True Lavender Pure

Essential Oil, $15,

LITTLE INNOSCENTS,

littleinnoscents.com.au

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