3 ways citronella can enhance your beauty routine

I enjoy scouring through the heath shop and finding new natural remedies. My latest find is citronella essential oil, which is quite affordable, and has a mild scent like eucalyptus or peppermint or lemon. Citronella oil is extracted from a certain type of lemongrass and is widely used in aromatherapy. As with all essential oils, you only need to use a small amount, therefore it is measured in drops.

When used in aromatherapy, citronella oil can help treat colds, fevers and headaches. When used in massage, it can help relieve arthritic pain. It can also be used as a flavouring in food, and to calm barking dogs.

Here are three ways citronella can enhance your beauty routine.

1. Insect Repellant

This is especially useful for children, as they are more susceptible to bites from mosquitoes and other insects. Citronella works by blocking the scent that attracts insects. As indicated on the bottle, this oil should never be used undiluted or directly on the skin.

It should be mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil, and then applied to the skin when needed. I find that commercial insect repellants can be harsh on the skin, especially for children. To use citronella, light a large candle and allow it to burn until a pool of wax forms. Add two or three drops of citronella to the wax and allow the candle to continue burning.

The scent in the room will keep insects away. If you have an essential oil burner, this will work even better. You may also mix a few drops of the oil with water, put in a spray bottle and use as needed. Your skin should remain beautiful and bite-free.

2. Balancing oily skin

Citronella has antibacterial properties that help fight the bacteria that contribute to acne and breakouts. My natural face toner contains witch hazel, rose water, and orange oil; therefore I added a few drops of citronella to help manage breakouts. You could also add one drop of citronella oil to a bowl of water, and use this to rinse your face.

3. Deodorant

If you run out of deodorant, mix a few drops of citronella with some coconut oil. The antibacterial properties help to kill the bacteria that cause smelly underarms, leaving you fresh. You may also add a few drops to your bath water.

This is definitely one of the essential oils worth keeping in the house. It has many other benefits such as fighting anxiety and negative feelings by relaxing you and inducing happy feelings.

As with all new things, ensure that you perform a patch test to avoid allergic reactions. Citronella should not be used on babies as their skin is very sensitive, and it should be avoided in pregnancy.