Maia Natural Beauty Blog

Before I start I want to get something off my chest!

In my mind there are two types of aromatherapy and unfortunately it is not always immediately obvious as to which type is being used in the vast array of aromatherapy skin care, bath and body products available.

If you want to benefit from aromatherapy you need to know the difference between the two types of aromatherapy:  

1. True aromatherapy
2. Marketing aromatherapy

True aromatherapy is the use of aromatic oils from nature, called essential oils to treat and improve a person’s health and well being.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are extracted from plants, fruits, trees and barks, usually by the process of steam distillation. They are highly concentrated and made up of natural but complex chemical compounds . Each different chemical compound has a different function, and each essential oil usually has a number of properties to help soothe, kill bacteria, energize, balance and so on.

Aromatherapists are trained in the use of essential oils and plant oils, blending, application methods and treatment of common ailments such as stress, insomnia, tiredness, aches and pains, skin conditions and a range of other complaints.

 Essential oils and aromatherapy products are readily available on the high street in chemists, health food shops and department stores as well as on internet, as well as goods purporting to be ‘aromatherapy’ products.

This would be where the second type of aromatherapy comes in.

Marketing-Speak
It would seem everything from air freshener to fabric conditioner, baby lotion to shampoo contains lavender, chamomile or ylang ylang.

The truth is that most of the time cheap synthetic fragrances of common essential oils are used instead, or occasionally cosmetics and toiletries do contain a tiny percent of the real deal, boosted by synthetic compounds and fragrances.

Pure 100% essential oils are more costly than synthetic fragrances and at a time when anything natural seems to be a key marketing ploy, it is not surprising that there are so many so-called aroma therapy products available.

If you want the therapeutic benefits of pure essential oils, you need to buy pure essential oils and products that actually contain pure essential oils!

Take Care
Due to their concentrated nature care must be taken when purchasing essential oils for home use.
Quality varies considerably and adulteration is very common to lower prices (and increase profits). Adulteration is where cheaper synthetic chemicals are dishonestly added to the pure natural essential oils. This compromises quality and effectiveness but unfortunately it is a widespread practice amongst unscrupulous suppliers.

What We Do
It is vitally important for us at Maia Skin Care that we source only 100% pure essential oils of the highest grade. Many of the oils we use are organically grown, wild harvested or fair trade. We have developed strong relationships with our suppliers and ensure all our essential oils are the highest quality available, so you know that our aromatherapy products are true aromatherapy!

Tags:   aromatherapy · essential oils · natural · products No Comments