The scent of Frankincense brings forth images of ribbons of slowly ascending smoke, centered, deep breathing, flickering candle light and glowing skin.  This ancient ingredient, mentioned in ceremonial, medicinal, and spiritual practice dating back thousands of years in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, has withstood the test of time as an ingredient widely lauded by dermatologists and consumers. 

A highly sought after luxury, Frankincense trade flourished, considered by ancient civilizations to be as expensive as gold. Through the years knowledge of its uses waxed and waned, buried under the passing of time. Of late, the oil has become more and more widely known once again, inspiring us to learn about origins, sources, and benefits. 

Benefits

• Aromatherapeutic - as a widely used oil for spiritual practices throughout history, the earthy, warm scent brings about a sense of groundedness and mindfulness. Many have reported an impact on anxiety as well as sleep quality.

• Skin Irritation - calming properties of boswellic acid, a natural ingredient in this oil, ease discomfort from itchy, red skin

• Muscle Recovery - when used as an after workout massage application or to alleviate aches and pains generally

• Skin Health - intensely hydrating and healing properties do wonders for skin elasticity, pigmentation, scarring, and stretch marks. As an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial promoter, this oil protects against pore clogging and oil build up. Frankincense promotes the creation of collagen in skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Hair Health - Frankincense combined with carrier oils can strengthen hair follicles to improve shine and bounce and promote scalp health to reduce hair loss. 

This mythological turned real essential oil has had a rich and varied reach throughout the ages. With safe application through carrier oils and responsible sourcing, the introduction to using Frankincense routinely for skin, hair, and aromatherapy can reconnect us to our internal health, to the natural world, and to the strong foundations of ancient wisdom.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

 

Team Ellovi 🌺

We’ve discussed essential oils and their endless benefits and learned about best practices for topical application for skin care, most importantly, pairing them with great carrier oils. 

Carrier oils are natural oils which are used as a base in skincare and aromatherapy to dilute essential oils to mitigate their concentration and avoid potential irritation. Versatile carrier oils are not only good vehicles for essential oils, but bring their own unique benefits as well. 

Here are some of our favorites:

Coconut oil

• Locks in moisturize
• Antibacterial and anti-fungal, beneficial for skin issues such as acne
• Contains lauric acid which has antimicrobial properties and may help with bacterial skin issues
• Great for dry skin

Macadamia oil

• Light weight 
• Non-greasy
• Rich in fatty acids especially omega-9 essential for moisture rich skin
• Contains palmitoleic acid naturally found in youthful skin but diminishes with age
• Highly absorbent
• Calming properties for sensitive or irritated skin

Marula oil

• Lightweight
• Non-greasy
• Highly absorbent
• Rich in fatty acids especially omegas-6 and 9 as well as vitamin E protecting skin from environmental damage
• Great for dry skin, moisturizing
• Anti-inflammatory properties can soothe sensitive or irritated skin
• Antioxidant properties may improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Jojoba oil

• High compatibility for a variety of skin types, most versatile
• Similar to skin’s own natural oil (sebum) so is least likely to result in allergy
• Enhances the effectiveness of essential oils with high absorption
• Lightweight moisturizer
• Contains vitamin E and B-complex vitamins which protect skin from damage, lock in moisture, reducing appearance of scars and acne, and so much more
• Unlikely to cause acne or pore blockage, perfect for sensitive skin or acne prone skin
• Soothes irritated or inflamed skin

Carrier oils are key players in products that elevate how we care for our skin. As we enter the coming colder months, our skin will crave the enriching properties of nature’s healing oils. Sourced transparently and paired in thoughtful ways, essential oils and carrier oils together create a gentle and effective way to deliver the benefits of natural healing to skin. 

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

 

Team Ellovi 🌺

 

Some of the oldest skin health routines and “prescriptions” ever recorded for all sorts of physical, internal, and emotional ailments were essential oils, handed down through ancient wisdom over centuries, providing safe and effective empowerment for self healing. 

Growing interest in wellness has turned essential oils into a booming industry, which means oils are more accessible, but also often not authentically made or marketed by some suppliers.  Consistent with the goal to keep skin health care simple, transparent, and beneficial, we’re wading through the barrage of information (and misinformation) out there to hone in on what you need to know.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that contain beneficial properties and unique aromatic flavors. The extracts are created through either steam/water distillation or cold pressing. 

Benefits of essential oils:

• Applying oils correctly to the skin allows for some of the plant’s beneficial properties to absorb
• Inhaling aromas can stimulate and affect emotional regulation as well as physical functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Some of our favorites:

• Chamomile: mood regulation, relaxation, anti-inflammatory
• Ylang-Ylang: headaches, nausea, skin issues, heart rate/blood pressure 
• Jasmine: mood regulation, libido
• Peppermint: digestive aid, energy boost, sunburns, headaches
• Rose: mood and regulation
• Lavender: improving sleep, relaxation, anti inflammatory, hydrating, sensitive skin
• Bergamot: anti-inflammatory, blood pressure, anxiety
• Frankincense: anti-aging, sensitive skin, anti-inflammatory (joints)

What to keep in mind:

Concerns about some essential oil use have stemmed from its incorrect application and source issues. 

• It’s not recommended to apply undiluted essential oil directly on the skin
• Essential oils should be combined with a carrier oil such as jojoba, macadamia, or coconut oil 
• It’s important to understand the source of your oils. Oils should not be listed as “fragrance” or “essence of” and should be in dark glass amber bottles, not plastic. Labels should mention the latin name of the plant and not just the common. We’re happy to say these are the standards we uphold at Ellovi. 

The wrap up:

Essential oil therapies have long been praised for their mood balancing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and skin care benefits. These natural tools guide us back toward awareness and mindfulness as part of vital self care. The simple act of putting forth effort to take care of ourselves away from chemical, side effect ridden “treatments” and substances is a personal and collective win in the battle that exists in the skin care industry and health as a whole.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

 

Team Ellovi 🌺