Expert: Liani Widjaja - 12/31/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I see essential oils are used in room fresheners by scenting salts- not bath salts. Some Questions:
-Do salts help the fragrance stay? What is the difference in placing a bowl of scented salts vs. just the oil?
-What is the difference between using baking soda vs. sea salt in this application?
Also, how would you prolong the life of the oil? Is blending the oil in a carrier oil and then storing it better than just storing it undiluted?
Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi,

Here are my answer

1. Do salts help the fragrance stay? What is the difference in placing a bowl of scented salts vs. just the oil? I never used salt for freshener. so I am not sure if salts help the fragrance stay

2. What is the difference between using baking soda vs. sea salt in this application? I use sea salt for body scrub or by making bath salt. and use baking soda for making bath bombs. I know some people using baking soda for their cream and lotions. but I never do that. Some books says that baking soda can absorbs the smelly odor and leave the space smelling fresh.

3. Also, how would you prolong the life of the oil? Is blending the oil in a carrier oil and then storing it better than just storing it undiluted? Undiluted the oil will prolong the life of oils. Once you mixed it with carrier oils it only can last maximum for 1 month.

HTH and Happy New Year,

Liani Widjaja
www.aromatherapy-at-home.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you and I have some more questions if you don't mind.
Regarding oil life:
-What if you add essential oils to something like sunscreen? Also how much should you want to mix so that it will be used up in a month?
-Should you have separate mixtures (with same sunscreen but using different oils) for face and body?
Also under your body lotion recipe on your helpful website, it says for safety:
"Vary the essential oils you use. Using the same facial oil blend for a long period of time is acceptable because it only cover small parts of your body. But if you use body lotion for the whole body every day, it is advise to alternate to products that contain different mix of essential oils after a couple of weeks. Using the same mix of essential oils for longer period may harm your kidney and liver."

What is considered a safer variation? For example, lets say one has tea tree, rosemary, lavender, carrot seed, and neroli. For a couple weeks, one used lotion containing carrot seed, neroli, and lavender. Would it be safe to just switch out lavender for the next batch?

-Also, do you know if all the hype surrounding sea buckthorn, argan/ Moroccan (is this a carrier oil?), rosehip oil, evening primrose, and jojoba is legit? I'm new to aromatherapy. What makes them more special than the other if they all provide amazing skin/hair benefits?

Thank you and Happy New Year to you too.☺

Answer
Hi,

sorry for the late reply, I take my vacation and forget to let allexpert.om knows. Anyway, here are my answers:

-What if you add essential oils to something like sunscreen? Also how much should you want to mix so that it will be used up in a month?
I am not suggest you to add essential oils to sunscreen. because if you buy ready to use products then it should have chemical ingredients inside and it will waste to mix it with essential oils for medical purpose.

-Vary the essential oils you use. Using the same facial oil blend for a long period of time is acceptable because it only cover small parts of your body. But if you use body lotion for the whole body every day, it is advise to alternate to products that contain different mix of essential oils after a couple of weeks. Using the same mix of essential oils for longer period may harm your kidney and liver.

What is considered a safer variation? For example, lets say one has tea tree, rosemary, lavender, carrot seed, and neroli. For a couple weeks, one used lotion containing carrot seed, neroli, and lavender. Would it be safe to just switch out lavender for the next batch?
Better if you use different oils. not lavender.


-Also, do you know if all the hype surrounding sea buckthorn, argan/ Moroccan (is this a carrier oil?), rosehip oil, evening primrose, and jojoba is legit? I'm new to aromatherapy. What makes them more special than the other if they all provide amazing skin/hair benefits?
I don't think moroccan is carrier oil. but Seabuckthorn Berry Oil, rosehip oil, evening primrose, and jojoba are all carrier oils. If you ask whether they are legit or not? I should refer to the shop where you buy them. and what makes them special in hair or skin treatment, it should say the component within the oil itself. take example of jojoba oil. It contain vitamin E that useful for skin irritations, provides hydration for hair and nails. Jojoba is a wax not an oil so it doesn't become rancid easily. I will recommend this oil if you want to mix it with unscented shampoo for your hair.


HTH
Liani