Since we just moved to the beach, this summery topic felt very appropriate. Would you agree that summer is one season that we love and wait for all year?! Relaxing by the pool, chillin at the beach, picnicking in the park, having fun w/the fam, adventuring and exploring new places… whatever it is you do, and of course, getting “sunshine energy” as Lily would call it. ☀️
Wherever summer takes you, there are some specific essential oils that should be staple items on your packing list! But before we dive in, in case you are new around here, let’s discover a little bit more about what essential oils actually are.
In this article:
- What Essential Oils Are: An Overview
- Ashley’s Top 10 Essential Oils for Summer
- SUMMER SCENTS: The Ultimate Summer Aromatherapy Diffuser Blends
- Natural Summer Beauty: Essential Oil DIY Recipes
- Essential Oils For the Great Outdoors: DIY Recipes
What Essential Oils Are: An Overview
Essential Oils are highly aromatic oils extracted from various types of botanical matter including plants, flowers, leaves, peels, barks, and roots.
Each plant has its own form of inherent intelligence, and each plant has its own complicated systems of communication. These communications are made possible by chemical messengers within the plant. These healthy plant chemicals each have their own distinct tastes, colors, and aromas- and they all serve a purpose.
Some chemicals smell sweet in order to attract pollinators- think flowers and bees. Some chemicals are released by plants to defend their territory.
The various chemical (often protective) properties in plants are the fundamental reason why essential oils promote healing and work so effectively as natural remedies.
Due to their natural chemical properties, essential oils offer a myriad of physical and mental health benefits.
What Experts Have to Say
“Because the chemistry of pure essential oils retains the healing intent of the plants from which they originated, they manifest an ability to organize and balance our energies as well. If our bodies are out of balance and experiencing illness or dysfunction, the oils serve to restore order and balance (or homeostasis) to our various systems.” – Dr. Josh Axe
Aromatherapist Hope Gillerman shares that, “breathing in essential-oil vapor instantly changes our brain patterns and can help us feel calmer and more grounded.”
Molecular Neurobiologist Leslie Vosshall, Ph.D. confirms the significance of essential oils on our mood, explaining that “the olfactory senses connect very early in brain wiring to emotional centers, so the distance from when a scent hits the nose to when it hits an emotion is very short.”
Neuroscientist Tara Swart, Ph.D. adds, “we can use smell to change our moods and mental state… I’m obsessed with the therapeutic potency of essential oils. And because smell is so personal, there may be smells that mean something to you or have a particular effect on you- so it’s really worth working out which smells work for you.”
How to Use Essential Oils
There are 3 ways to use essential oils- aromatically, topically, and internally.
Using essential oils aromatically means diffusing them in an aromatherapy diffuser.
Using essential oils topically means applying them directly to your skin (usually combined with a carrier oil and applied to pressure points or major organs).
Some essentials can also be ingested, or taken internally, using carefully thought out recipes.
The Difference Between Oils & Essential Oils
Essential Oils, or “volatile oils,” evaporate readily.
The oil’s volatility is what makes it aromatic and therefore useful in aromatherapy; the molecules released as vapor into the air carry the essential oil’s scent.
Volatile oils also pass more easily and quickly into the body through the skin when applied topically.
For these reasons, essential oils- or “volatile oils,” differ from the “Fixed Oils” in your pantry – olive, coconut, grapeseed, etc.
For example, if you put a “Fixed Oil” like coconut oil on your skin, it will look “oily” or “greasy.” However, when you put Lavender oil on your skin, there will be no remnant of it because some of the Lavender oil will have evaporated, while the rest will have penetrated your skin and passed into your cells, tissues, organs, and bloodstream.
Make sense? I know it can be a little confusing at first.
Enough with all the nerdy stuff, let me share some of my favorite essential oils for summer. Essential oil blends are a staple for hot girl summer life. (see hot girl summer diffuser blend below).
Ashley’s Top 10 Summer Essential Oil Recommendations
- Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood essential oil– Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood™ essential oil has a grounding, velvety wood scent and helps promote the appearance of youthful, glowing skin when applied topically.
- Grapefruit– Grapefruit essential oil has a fresh, uplifting aroma and cleansing properties. When taken internally, it supports healthy weight management, as well as the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
- Tangerine– Tangerine essential oil has adelightfully sweet scent that can help create a happy, contented mindset.
- Lemon– Lemon essential oil has a fresh, uplifting scent that cleanses the air and eliminates odors when used aromatically. When taken internally, it provides immune and circulatory support.
- Lime– Lime essential oil uplifts the senses with its lively, refreshing, citrus aroma. When taken internally, it contains antioxidants and may provide support for overall wellness.
- Peppermint– Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which cools and soothes fatigued muscles. When taken internally, it promotes healthy bowel function and supports gastrointestinal system comfort.
- Lavender– Lavender essential oil has a tranquil aroma that is soothing to the senses, as well as to the skin when applied topically.
- Cedarwood– Cedarwood essential oil has a calming and soothing aroma. When applied topically, Cedarwood essential oil can help promotes the appearance of healthy skin, hair, and scalp.
- Citrus Fresh– Citrus Fresh™ essential oil blend combines Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Tangerine, Lemon, and Spearmint essential oils to cleanse the air with an uplifting and refreshing aroma when diffused. It contains antioxidants and has cleansing properties when taken internally.
- Citronella– Citronella essential oil contains geraniol, which helps to fend off outdoor nuisances so you can enjoy the outdoors annoyance free.
- Vanilla– Vanilla has a luxuriously rich, slightly sweet aroma that enhances the experience of virtually any other essential oil when applied topically or enjoyed aromatically.
Drop me an email & say hi at [email protected] if you'd like more oil info and would like to get started with our wellness community!
Diffuse THESE aromatherapy blends around your home to bring the ultimate summer vibe, indoors!
Ashley’s Favorite Summer Scents: Diffuser Blend Recommendations
Hot Girl Summer
Grapefruit + Lavender + Tangerine + Vanilla + Peppermint
Vacation In My Mind
Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood + Citrus Fresh
Hot Summer Nights
Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood + Citronella + Cedarwood + Lime
Vanilla Mojito
Vanilla + Lime + Lemon + Peppermint
Drop me an email & say hi at [email protected] if you'd like more oil info and would like to get started with our wellness community!
Which do ya think will be your favorite diffuser blend?
DIY essential oil Recipes for SUMMER BEAUTY
Sun Overexposure Salve
Ingredients:
- 3 T Aloe Gel
- 4 Tsp Vitamin E
- 2 Tsp Jojoba Oil
- 6 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
- 6 drops Lavender essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients and apply the mixture as needed
Mermaid Hair Spritzer
For fuller, thicker, healthy hair.
Ingredients:
- 3 TBS Witch Hazel
- 1 TSP oil (olive, hemp, argan, etc.)
- 10 drops Lavender essential oil
- 10 drops Rosemary essential oil
- 10 drops Cedarwood essential oil
- 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
- Water
Directions: Add all ingredients to a 4-ounce spray bottle, being sure to add water last. Spray on damp or dry hair, focusing on the scalp. Massage in and run through ends of hair.
Drop me an email & say hi at [email protected] if you'd like more oil info and would like to get started with our wellness community!
Coconut Citrus Body Scrub
For glowing, summer-ready skin, this homemade scrub will change your life! I actually use it in the shower before shaving and it makes my skin so smooth. White, fine grain sugar is best, and the ratios really don’t matter. The amounts of each you decide to use really just depends on he consistency you’d like. Unrefined coconut oil makes it smell tropical, and the grapeseed oil is very hydrating for dry or aging skin. I like to mix 2 together + add the EO scents.
Ingredients:
- White Sugar
- Unrefined Coconut Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Tangerine essential oil
- Lime essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients and store in a shower-safe container. Apply the scrub and rub it gently in a circular motion over desired areas.
DIY Essential Oil Recipes For the Great Outdoors
Chilled Eucalyptus Towels
Beat the heat and refresh yourself instantly w/boujee cool towels.
To use on a hike or at the beach! Pack them in a mini cooler and enjoy your new favorite summer hack. Stay cool and stay chic with this fresh tip.
Directions: Add 5-8 total drops of Eucalyptus Blue, Eucalyptus Radiata, and/or Eucalyptus Globulus to a damp washcloth or hand towel. Pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes then pack in a mini cooler before heading out to your activity.
Drop me an email & say hi at [email protected] if you'd like more oil info and would like to get started with our wellness community!
DIY Natural Bug Spray
It’s no secret, when it’s hot and humid… bugs come out to play (and bite). The good news is that LOTS of essential oils work to repel insects, and you can do all sorts of essential oil combos.
The one below just happens to be my personal favorite. All of the essential oils included have insect and mosquito-repelling properties.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces water
- 2 ounces witch hazel
- 1 TSP olive oil
- 15 drops Rosemary
- 15 drops Geranium
- 10 drops Lavender
- 5 drops Peppermint
- 5 drops Citronella
Directions: Add all ingredients to a 4 ounce spray bottle and shake well. Apply to clothes and exposed skin. Always do a patch test to be sure skin is not irritated.
You can also sprinkle Citronella around your patio!
Drop me an email & say hi at [email protected] if you'd like more oil info and would like to get started with our wellness community!
Which summer essential oils is your favorite?
Do you have any must-have essential oil related beach tips we must know?
Leave your recommendations in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
*And of course, none of this summer goodness is meant to diagnose, treat, cure any health challenges, and of course, is not a replacement for medical advice.
*It is not meant to treat cure or prevent medical issues.
*Always go see your medical doctor! Not intended to diagnose treat.
Drop me an email & say hi at [email protected] if you'd like more oil info and would like to get started with our wellness community!
