My interest in essential oils isn't just skin deep. I use essentials to clean my floor, freshen up my yoga mat, and help me fall asleep at night. Honestly, those sleepless nights that I lay awake fretting are few and far between with the calming benefits of camphor oil. After a week of nestling in my pillowcase and being lulled to sleep with the sweet scent of this tree, I finally woke up and said "Hold up! Is this oil about to calm my skin too??" Yes, it certainly was.
According to sources at Stylecraze, the benefits of camphor oil have been celebrated for centuries because of its healing properties, most notably used in Persia to control the plague. More recently, the sweet minty smell has made its way to topical skincare products. In fact, chemically extracted versions of the oil exist in Vick's Vapor Rub because of its ability to reduce coughing. Camphor oil contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that are super beneficial for irritated skin and according to sources at Organic Facts, it has cleansing properties that anyone with acne can appreciate. Plus, the oil is known to diminish the appearance of scars.
Like most essential oils, the oil should be properly diluted with a carrier oil and absolutely never ingested. To clear up any confusion, I spoke to my go-to aromatherapist, Charlynn Avery, who is an educator for the essential oil company Aura Cacia. According to her, in topical application, camphor oil is not considered poisonous in any way. In fact, it is ideal to use topically (with proper dilution) because of its action. Try it in diffusions, chest rubs, or balms for muscle joints.
Now that we've explicitly covered not eating essential oils, let's get down to some DIY beauty tricks that will have you falling head over heels for camphor oil.
1. Acne Spot Treatment
Since camphor oil is a well-known disinfectant with anti-inflammatory properties, it's defintiely going to speed up the healing properties of severe pimples. I've even seen it work on some of my more inflamed cysts. Combine 1 ounce of neem oil (another of my favorite non-drying acne treatments) with 1 of white camphor oil in a dark vial and apply to blemishes on a makeup-free face.
2. Hair Loss Treatment
If you're suffering from some hair loss from too much stress on your tresses, add camphor oil to your favorite hot oil hair treatment. According to sources at Beautiful Earth, camphor oil stimulates the blood circulation in the scalp thus giving you a healthy environment for hair growth.
3. Add To Your Body Butter
Camphor oil can give you a break from dry, itchy skin, which means it's the perfect essential oil to add to your next DIY body butter. Blend together your favorite carrier oils and butters and then add 1 drop of camphor essential oil. For the lotion pictured above, I used mango, kokum, and shea butter with coconut oil then I added camphor oil, carrot seed oil, and clary sage.
Image: Fotolia; Kristin Collins Jackson (3)
