Allopathethic medicines use synthetics materials, to treatment various skin ailments, often causing side effects. Moreover, many skin related problems are also connected with psychological issues. There are few scientific documents that will identify; specific mental conditions that will cause skin problems. For example, Psoriasis and Eczema are related to deep-rooted mental issues, like stress and sleep deprivation. Unless, these psychological issues are addressed, any treatment of skin will have no effect and, even may cause unwanted side effects.
Aromatherapy skin products have been specially formulated, to address these issues. Aromatherapy treats both the mental as well as physical ailments, such as cuts, wounds and rashes. Many essential oils used in Aromatherapy, have antibacterial and antiseptic properties. For example, a combination of Turmeric and Sandalwood paste is a great skin care product, because they are antiseptic and heals acnes and skin blemishes. It has a good fragrance and is a commonly used in bridal make-up in India. “Ayurveda”, the traditional Indian therapeutic treatment, uses Turmeric paste in treating many skin problems. Turmeric has been recently patented as ‘antibacterial’ medicine.
Another important property required, for skin care, is moisturising property. Many skin care products in the market uses synthetic materials and emollients. In fact emollients do not moisturise the skin, but leaves a coat of oil on the skin. But in Aromatherapy, skin care products use materials such as Aloe Vera gel, along with essential oils such as Lavender, Teatree oil, Geranium and Clary sage. These are the essential ingredients in formulating Aromatherapy skin care products. Some addition natural materials are blended, to get a final product that will meet specific requirements.
Regular Aromatherapy treatment relieves stress, cures insomnia, and other mental conditions, facilitating a good skin care. The formulation of an Aromatherapy skin care product is, both an art and science. It is a Science because, one should be aware of the therapeutic values of various essential oils, and their standards such as NF (National Formulary) and BP (British Pharmacopeia), and testing methods. It is also an art, because one should be aware of various fragrances of different essential oils, and their impact on mental healing. This fragrance should offer rejuvenation and sense of well-being.
The Aromatherapy skin care products can be in many forms, such as a cream, paste or a lotion and can be packed in bottles, tubes and in Aerosol packs, meeting the statutory regulations. Packaging and presentation play an important role, in the commercial world. The essential oils used, in the formulation of Aromatherapy skin care products, are expensive, such as Lavender and Tube Rose oil, and they require an expensive packaging, to avoid pilferages.
Aromatherapy courses are conducted in many colleges and universities. They impart both theoretical and practical knowledge, and hands on experience in formulating, various Aromatherapy skin care products. Many beauty parlours, offer Aromatherapy skin care products, as their main line of products.
It requires a formal training and experience for a successful masseur. The human touch of a messier is sensuous and helps alleviate the body pain, improves the blood circulation and relaxes the mind. It is a complete rejuvenation experience.
Aromatherapy massage in a refined method of body massaging by using specially formulated Aromatherapy oil. The gentle fragrance of Aromatherapy oils facilitates a smooth and sensuous massaging. The essential oil in Aromatherapy product relaxes the muscles and offers lubrication, during a massage. The base oil of the product helps in spreading the essential oil to larger surface area of the body.
The massage oil should have base oil such as olive or coconut along with Aloe Vera gel, that will penetrates the skin, offering moisture and lubrication. An essential oil such as oil of winter green or Thyme will help ease the body pain and relax the mind. Regular massage helps remove body stiffness, make it flexible and improves the body posture. Ancient Indian medical practise of ‘Ayurveda’ is a holistic treatment of body and mind, and it is a part of yogic sytem.Massage by using Aromatherapy oil and applying right amount of pressure at particular pressure points in the body called ‘varmam’ have offered a total body relaxation. Such Aromatherapy massage treatment has attracted huge number of tourists to Kerala in India. Medical tourism earns a large revenue for the department of tourism, Government of India.
Aromatherapy has been recognised as a complimentary health treatment method, and massaging is part of such treatment. The massaging oil, is selectively formulated, keeping in mind, the end result of the treatment. The base oil and the essential oil used, vary widely in properties and applications. The components used may have medicinal properties, that can treat certain dermatological problems, improve the skin tone and aid in massaging. Essential oils such as Tee tree oil have antibacterial and antiseptic properties. When such oils are used in Aromatherapy, it can help cure certain skin ailments.
Many educational institutions and universities offer full time courses on Aromatherapy. They also train students in Aromatherapy massaging as part of their curriculam.Some commercial Aromatherapy clinics offer a wide range of treatments including ‘Acupuncture’ and ‘reflexology’. They also use ‘Fullers earth’s mud’ which acts as cleansing agent known as “Multni Mati”.It is converted into a paste and applied on the face. The paste cleanses grime and dirt from the skin pores and allows it breath properly. It leaves skin soft and smooth. Some people use Sandal wood and Turmeric paste mixture for skin treatment. All these treatments form part of Aromatherapy. The critical component is the usage of natural ingredients, and no synthetic materials, are used in any of the above treatments.
Hair care products are important beauty products, which have a wide demand all over the world. Woman attach great importance for their hair care because, it plays such a vital role in their everyday life and career. Beauty and hair care products have become indispensable in modern society.
Many Aromatherapy clinics have their own proprietary formulations and treat various types of hair problems such as hair loss, receding hair, dandruff and certain dermatological problems. One of the reasons for hair loss is regular use of shampoo, and other hair products made out of synthetic materials. The function of a shampoo is to cleanse the hair from dirt, soil and foreign substances. But modern shampoo use detergent bases such as Sodium lauryl sulphate and a host of other chemicals to go with it. 
These chemicals cause irritation to the scalp and slowly erode the amino acids and proteins that are responsible for the sheen of healthy hair. Over a period of time, hair loses its lustre and sheen, and becomes dull and weak. In order to counter this problem, another formulation is introduced called “conditioner” which is supposed to restore the lost components in the hair. But, in reality, these products offer only a cosmetic value.
Aromatherapy hair care products offer the best alternative for these products. For examples, a combination of dried Henna powder and vegetable oil based soaps offer best results. It not only cleanses the hair but conditions the hair. Small quantities of an essential oil such as Lavender or Rosemary mixed with Jojoba oil base, is an ideal Aromatherapy product for hair care. The base oil such as Coconut oil and Olive oils are used along with essential oils for Aromatherapy hair products.
In India, Hibiscus flower petals are dissolved in hot water along with some spice oil and used as hair care products to stop premature greying and hair loss. Essential oils such as Teatree oil exhibits antibacterial properties and are used in hair care products to prevent dandruff and lice. A hair care product formulated with essential oils and vegetable oils do not have any side effects. This is critically important for any Aromatherapy product formulation.
Aloe Vera is another important hair care product. It is a natural moisturiser and hair conditioner. An Aromatherapy hair product can be formulated by blending Henna with stabilised Aloe Vera gel and scented with Lavender oils for an excellent result. It is a good anti- dandruff agent and prevents hair loss effectively.
