Are you a fan of natural skincare and looking to incorporate 100% natural ingredients into your slimming routine? Here are some solutions and tips for anyone who wants to lose weight with the help of essential oils!
What is an essential oil?
An essential oil is, as the name suggests, aconcentrated liquid plant essence, obtained by distillation (steam or dry) of the volatile aromatic compounds of aplant. The only exception: citrus essences, such as lemon, grapefruit or orange, which are obtained by simple cold-pressing of the peel. Aromatic compounds can be found in the leaves or flowers of a plant, as well as in buds, roots or bark. They are acomplex blend of chemical compounds, sometimes made up of hundreds of different molecules. This blend of molecules gives the essential oil itsproperties: stimulating or calming, anti-inflammatory or purifying, healing or antiseptic… As a result, essential oils are used daily for their preventive or restorative benefits.
How to use essential oils?
Essential oils are not oily. They are generally liquid with varying densities (sometimes fluid, sometimes thicker).They should never be applied neat to the skin, but always used with a carrier. For example:
- In diffusion, you can use a solid carrier such as a wax (like beeswax), a porous material (clay, wood, terracotta) or a neutral alcohol-based solution to enjoy their benefits.
- For topical use:it is recommended to use a fatty base, such as anatural vegetable oil or a plant butter, to prepare a treatment with essential oils.
- In a bath:a carrier is also necessary. Essential oils do not dissolve in water, but they can be mixed with a little coarse salt and vegetable oil to make bath salts.
Bear in mind that essential oilsare highly potent, and just a few drops are enough to enjoy their benefits. There is no need to use an entire bottle of essential oil for each treatment!
Which essential oils are best for weight loss?
As mentioned above, essential oils carry many benefits depending on their composition. These plant elixirs can address everyday concerns, from a cold to a minor burn, as well as influence mood. Some essential oils are known to support concentration, sleep or an energy boost.
So it is natural to wonder whether they could also help withweight loss.
1- Essential oils for water retention
If your weight fluctuates and is linked to excess water, some essential oils are highly effective at reducingwater retention. They help stimulate venous and lymphatic circulation thanks to their decongesting properties. Among these essential oils, we recommend:
Virginia Cedarwood essential oil: it is excellent for relieving the sensation ofheavy legs, and also for reducing oedema linked to lymphatic insufficiency. It can be used in synergy with Juniper essential oil,anti-cellulite, and a dry vegetable oil such asMacadamia vegetable oil. Use 35 drops of each essential oil per 20 ml of vegetable oil for an excellent treatment against water retention.
Patchouli essential oil: you are probably familiar with patchouli for its distinctive scent, widely used in perfumery, but perhaps less so for its decongesting properties! Yet Patchouli essential oil is an excellent venous tonic that helps boost microcirculation and reduce the puffiness typical of water retention. You can prepare a nourishing oil to deflate and slim down! Simply blend 15 drops of Patchouli essential oil, 25 drops of Evergreen Cypress essential oil and 20 ml ofJojoba vegetable oil.
2- Essential oils with lipolytic properties
Some essential oils act directly on fat elimination. Among them:
Grapefruit essential oil: it is widely regarded as the go-to essential oil for weight loss. Invigorating, detoxifying, draining and lipolytic, it is a key ally when you want to work on your figure. You can prepare an effective slimming oil: blend 35 drops ofGrapefruit essential oil with 35 drops of Menthol Eucalyptus essential oil (excellent for eliminating hydrolipidic retention) in 20 ml ofsweet almond vegetable oil. Apply this toning lotion daily to stubborn areas. Slimming results guaranteed!
Sweet Fennel essential oil: this essential oil is often used as adigestionbooster. It also has draining properties and works perfectly as an ingredient in a slimming treatment. Simply combine it with Sea Fennel essential oil (excellent forfirming) and Atlas Cedarwood essential oil (a must-have in homemade anti-cellulite treatments!), using 20 drops of each, blended into 30 ml of natural sesame vegetable oil.
Lemon essential oil: another essential when it comes to losing weight with essential oils! Lemon essential oil is toning and helps firm the skin. For an energising, invigorating and slimming bath, you can blend a few drops ofLemon essential oil, a few drops of Rosemary Verbenone essential oil, a handful of Epsom Salt and 2 tablespoons ofolive oilin a bowl. Once the mixture is well combined, pour it into your warm bath and enjoy!
Essential oils for weight loss: limitations and alternatives
Of course, it is important to stay realistic: using homemade cosmetics with essential oils every day will not make the weight melt away overnight!Essential oils help you optimise the results of an overall healthy lifestyle. This should be built on:
- A varied and balanced diet: home-cooked meals prepared with whole, natural ingredients.
- Adequate hydration, primarily with water, but also withtea,herbal infusions, or even aslimming drainercure (such as ourFat-Burning Slimming Drainer!).
- Daily physical activity, such as walking, complemented by regular exercise sessions – fitness,running, cycling,swimming… Whatever you enjoy!
- Restful sleep, as fatigue contributes to weight gain. If you are not getting enough rest, losing weight will be much harder.
- Avoiding stressful situations, becausestress is neither a friend to your weight nor an ally of good health.
You can also complement your essential oil slimming routine with other treatments. For example:
- If you want to slim down yourstomach, you can try ourExtra Flat Stomach Programme, which promises a slimmer waistline and a firmer tummy in just 21 days!
- If it is yourthighsthat concern you, we also offer aSlimmer Thighs Programme, for a more sculpted silhouette in just three weeks!
- And for those who are truly committed and want an all-over slimming effect, our Maxi Slimming Pack is the perfect choice! A comprehensive slimming routine that pairs beautifully with your homemade essential oil treatments.
