Here at Little Soap we’ve always been avid fans of essential oils and the myriad of benefits that can be derived from them. All of our products are made using essential oils, each specially selected to create not only the best smelling natural soap, but to bring a host of therapeutic advantages too. We use essential oils because we believe in adopting an holistic approach to all that we do; using plant extracts to support emotional and physical health is part of this too. Want to know more about essential oils and how they can be used to boost your overall health and wellbeing? Here’s a really quick guide to the most popular essential oils and their holistic benefits.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is actually very versatile, with some of its benefits including aiding digestion, soothing stress and improving mental clarity. Peppermint oil can also have an analgesic effect, which means that it is often used to relieve pain and inflammation and to soothe tired muscles. Many also swear by peppermint essential oil to soothe headaches and to ease the symptoms of cold and congestion during the winter months. Quite a powerful all-rounder, huh?
Try it: available in our Peppermint and Poppyseed Bar or our Naturals Peppermint and Eucalyptus Bar– a great choice if you want to refresh and invigorate your morning routine.
Lavender
Another versatile essential oil, lavender is well-know for its soothing and calming properties, and is often used to help promote a more restful night’s sleep. With its relaxing properties, lavender is also used to soothe anxiety, treat depression and to combat eczema, insomnia, nausea and menstrual cramps. Its also known to have anti-inflammatory, anti fungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties too.
Try it: check out our lavender range: from bar soaps to bubble bath and liquid soap to luxury candle- each product designed to soothe and calm your body and mind.
Rose Geranium
Another favourite here at Little Soap, Rose Geranium essential oil has a whole host of therapeutic benefits for health and wellbeing. Some of these benefits include: antioxidant and anti-ageing properties, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-microbial properties and antiviral properties. In addition Rose Geranium essential oil can be used to soothe anxiety, restore calm and balance your mood.
Try it: our Rose Geranium range is designed to pamper and soothe; we call it our happy soap.
Eucalyptus
This is another powerful essential oil that has been used for a very long time to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs and congestion. Eucalyptus is also known for its ability to disinfect wounds, aid in breathing difficulties and to ease joint pain. In addition it can also be used to freshen the breath- so its a real champion in our eyes!
Try it: we paired it with peppermint and put it into a bar- for added power!
Tea Tree
Tea tree has been used for centuries to treat various skin conditions and is a hugely popular essential oil due to its multi-uses. Tea tree can be used to treat dry skin and eczema, oily and itchy skin, inflammation, acne and Psoriasis, not to mention it can be used as an effective treatment for infection, wounds and cuts.
Try it: our Lavender and Tea Tree Bar is perfect for after sports or post-gym- the best way to kick-start your day!
Chamomile
We love chamomile here at Little Soap- for many reasons! Chamomile is another real powerhouse when it comes to therapeutic benefits- its has the ability to soothe digestive upsets, ease anxiety and promote better sleep too. In addition, chamomile can be used as an anti inflammatory, for wound healing and for soothing skin conditions such as eczema and rashes.
Try it: in our Eco Warrior Gently Cleansing Sensitive Facial Bar– we’ve added it to a Calendula essential oil for the ultimate soothing cleanse.
Orange
A real mood booster, orange essential oil is one of our all-time favourites, and not just because it smells so blooming lovely! Orange essential oil can be used to lift your mood and reduce stress, soothe skin conditions such as acne, lower pain and inflammation and relieve stomach upsets too.
Try it: by itself in our Naturals Sweet Orange Bar, with Grapefruit in our Organic Grapefruit and Orange bathroom box, or in our Artisan Lavender and Orange Bar for the ultimate mood balancer. We also blend it with ginger in our Eco Warrior Shampoo Bar.
Bergamot
Bergamot is widely known to have a range of health benefits and is a really popular essential oil to add to other similar citrus oils such as grapefruit or orange. It smells amazing, yes, but did you know it can also be used to treat skin conditions such as acne, anxiety, depression and insomnia, plus many swear by its ability to eczema and psoriasis too.
Try it: blended with lime in our Eco Warrior Moisturising Shaving Bar.
Lemon
Where to even start with Lemon essential oil? You’ll already know how invigorating and refreshing it smells, but besides its amazing aroma, lemon has some pretty powerful therapeutic benefits too. Lemon essential oil can be used to reduce anxiety and depression, ease morning sickness, treat acne and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. Its also a great essential oil to use when you need a boost in the morning as it has the ability to refresh and revive instantly.
Try it: our best selling Naturals Lemon Zest Bar– smells amazing, leaves your skin feeling out of this world!
Grapefruit
Last, but absolutely not least- grapefruit. This essential oil is wonderful when paired with similar citrus oils such as orange or bergamot- and its real power lies in its ability to balance your mood and to ease symptoms of anxiety or depression. Alongside this, grapefruit essential oil is fantastic when added to soap as it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties; it also can be used to treat acne too.
Try it: our Grapefruit and Orange range was designed to put some zing into your day- this will definitely put a spring in your step!
