Ah, food for the skin! I’ve been blending my own aromatherapy oils for years. One of the best ways to preserve your skin is to stay out of the sun, but a little massage oil rubbed on the body every day after a round of dry skin brushing helps to stimulate the lymphatic drainage system which ensures that your skin stays soft and supple. The oil also kept me from getting stretch marks (which I am prone to) during my pregnancy. I massaged myself 3 times a day when I was pregnant, and my skin was absolutely singing. People often say, “black don’t crack,” but staying out of the sun and this oil have been my secret weapon for younger skin. Toby and Jake also use the oil as a moisturiser for face and body (for those prone to break outs and oily skin types, use sparingly, on your body only). Massage oil is great for older children, but please consult your doctor before from using aromatherapy oil on babies. The combination of oils may prove too strong for infants. Here’s what to do for a new you:

16 oz recycled glass bottle (preferable a dark bottle, unless you store in a cool dark place).
skin brush (from your health food store with a long handle)


16 oz of base oil. Your choice of sweet almond, olive, grape seed, jojoba oil, peach kernel, wheatgerm, or sesame oil. I like to use a combination of organic almond, olive, sesame, and wheatgerm oil. I buy the oils in bulk and can make blends for months. Store in a cool and dry place.


A word of caution: sesame oil has the strongest scent (the second being olive), so try small amounts before adding more to your base oil blend. 


50 drops bergamot oil (relaxing and good for digestion)
20 drops cypress oil (slimming and decongestant)
50 drops geranium oil (relaxing)
50 drops neroli oil (relaxing citrus scent, helps to smooth skin and prevent stretch marks)
15 drops lavender oil (relaxing, good for the immune system, and evens out skin tone)
50 drops ylang ylang oil (relaxing and good for dry skin)
50 drops niaouli (refreshing and antiseptic)
20 drops frankincense (hydrating and prevents skin from premature aging)


Step 1 Start with Dry Skin Brushing before you shower
 This might feel a little fierce at first, but you will get used to it. Start long firm strokes from at your feet, then work your way up, brushing your ankles, calves, thighs, all the way up to your neck, going softly on your stomach and breasts. Use circular motions on the buttocks, then used the handle to brush your back. Again, long stroke on your hands and arms, then use circular motions in your armpits: 7 strokes clockwise, and 7 stokes counter clockwise. Shower, and if you can handle it, give yourself a burst of cold water for a minute. 


Step 2 Apply Massage oil.
After your shower rub the massage the oil into the skin (taking care not to use too much oil), and wrap yourself in a robe. If you are going out, take care to rub the oil in well before slipping on your clothes to prevent streaking. 


Again, take care storing your bottle of oil. Use dark bottles, and store in a cool, dry place. My light bottle is from an apothecary from Aix en Provence, France, and I love the shape, so I store it in a dark cabinet, preventing premature spoiling (our family goes through the oils so fast, that we don’t really worry).


Glow on!