Sensitive Skin Solutions

"We absolutely love your product and I now have friends who are hooked too.
It is the only product that works for my son he suffers from bites so bad."
It's comments like these from Rebecca in Victoria about our Bugz Off Insect Repellent & Bite Relief that keep me going . . .
Thank you so much Rebecca ☺️
Bugz Off is available in sizes from 75ml and 125ml serum pump bottles, and 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre refill sizes.

We absolutely love your product and I now have friends who are hooked too. It is the only product that works for my son. He suffers from bites so bad.
It's comments like these from Rebecca in Victoria about our Bugz Off Insect Repellent & Bite Relief that keep me going . . . Thank you so much Rebecca
Bugz Off is available in sizes from 75ml and 125ml serum pump bottles, and 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre refill sizes. For more information go to www.sensitiveskinsolutions.com.au.

It's that time of year again - mosquitoes feasting on bare skin in the warmer weather, and add in sandflies in some areas. Although we no longer have a market presence, we're still here making Bugz Off and sending it far and wide. Grab your summer holiday insect protection now!

For a while now I've personally been unable to use our Crocodile, H**p & Neem Balm due to the Rosemary Essential Oil used in it. Bu**er! But I needed to have a preservative of some kind in it. So, we now have Vitamin E added instead of the Rosemary Essential Oil.
Plus, I've been wanting a more versatile option for you all. Here it is! Available right now is the 30g deo-tube which just winds up for use and down for storage! I'm excited😁

I've been a bit remiss with my Friday offerings lately, so tonight we're having Friday on Monday evening with the lovely Ylang Ylang:
Ylang Ylang essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy. Sourced from the flowers of Cananga odorata, ylang ylang essential oil is said to offer a variety of health benefits.
In aromatherapy, inhaling the aroma of ylang ylang essential oil (or absorbing it through the skin) is thought to transmit messages to a brain region involved in controlling emotions. Known as the limbic system, this brain region also influences the nervous system. Aromatherapy proponents suggest that essential oils may affect a number of biological factors, including heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure, breathing, and immune function.
Absorbing ylang ylang essential oil through the skin may help reduce stress levels. Additionally, inhaling the aroma of ylang ylang essential oil may help increase feelings of calmness.
Ylang ylang essential oil may be of some benefit to people with high blood pressure. It is also used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve mood, and enhance libido.
I just like it cos it smells pretty and it’s one of the few essential oils I can use on my skin 😊

The website is back up and functioning and hopefully it’ll stay that way 🤞

Well bu**er! That about sums it up! I found out today - from a customer - that my website is NOT functioning! Grrr! If you type in the web address (www.sensitiveskinsolutions.com.au) it comes up as a critical error. Like I said - Grrr!🤬
I have contacted my clever web man and as soon as he can fix it, it'll be up and running. Apologies to anyone who's tried to access it and not been able.
(The back end - my login - still works perfectly, which is why I didn't know.)

Hey everybody, it’s Friday and time for another essential oil! Today it’s Lemon Myrtle:
Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil is an absolute aromatic delight to lemon lovers. Containing upwards of 96% of the aldehyde citral (geranial and neral), it possesses a clear, strong lemon aroma that far surpasses in lemony intensity. (No I don’t know what citral, geranial and neral mean. I looked them up but it would make this post too long. If you love Lemon Myrtle, do look them up)
Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil is a strongly potent anti-bacterial essential oil. It is wonderful to include in inhaler and diffusion blends. It can be helpful for use with acne and oily skin, but it must be used very carefully and at very low dilutions. A dermal maximum of 0.7% is recommended. Aromatically, Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil blends well with essential oils in the citrus, wood, floral, camphorous, and mint families.
Emotionally, Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil is a wonderfully uplifting oil. When used in low dilutions, it can simultaneously help to calm fragile nerves and help with anxiety.
Aromatic Description: Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil smells fresh, sweet and has an intense lemony aroma.
Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil Uses and Properties:
• Influenza
• Bronchitis
• Herpes Simplex
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Sedative
• Carminative

Why do I use it when I have an intolerance for citrus and citrus-like oils? Simple. Because people love it. Personally I don’t have it touch my skin if at all possible, although when making yummies like the Lemon Myrtle Sea Salt Scrub it’s very, very difficult 😊

It's Friday again! Here's today's essential oil offering:

Peppermint oil has a wide variety of uses:
• as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, and other digestive issues, as well as the common cold and headaches
• as a topical application for relief from itching, muscle pain, and headache
• as a flavouring agent in foods and in products such as mouthwashes
• as a fresh, pleasing scent added to soaps and cosmetic products
Records of the use of mint plants for medicinal purposes go all the way back to the times of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
While some of the potential benefits of peppermint oil are anecdotal, research is ongoing into its health benefits.
Peppermint oil may reduce or relieve symptoms from IBS.
Peppermint oil may help reduce abdominal pain from GI tract issues.
Results are mixed on the effectiveness of aromatherapy with peppermint oil to help with nausea. It may have no effect.
Different forms of peppermint oil or menthol may help treat pain from headaches and migraine attacks when applied on the skin. In tablet form, peppermint oil relieved discomfort for people who have trouble swallowing.
Peppermint oil is often used in cosmetic products. But there’s a limited amount of research into the potential benefits of peppermint when applied to the skin and hair.
Peppermint oil may help soothe itchy skin. More research is needed on its’ ability to stimulate hair growth in humans.
Peppermint oil also has mild antimicrobial properties. It may work against some bacteria, but research is mixed. It’s shown mild antifungal properties against certain strains of Candida.
Safety and side effects
Aromatherapy or topical use of diluted essential peppermint oil can have significant benefits with little risk BUT be aware that peppermint aromatherapy can be toxic to pets. Always consider children, pets, and pregnant women before using aromatherapy.
Peppermint oil can be toxic. It’s important to remember that it is very concentrated and should always be diluted properly before topical use.
In some cases, peppermint oil that’s applied to the skin may cause irritation or a rash to occur. If you’re concerned about having a skin reaction to peppermint oil, test a small patch of your skin first.

And what do you know? It's Friday! Time for the next essential oil post, and this week it's Patchouli:

Patchouli Essential Oil comes from the leaves of the patchouli plant. It’s often used for things such as skin conditions, relieving stress, or controlling appetite. You can apply the diluted oil to your skin or use it for aromatherapy.
While much of the evidence for the benefits of patchouli oil is anecdotal, research is beginning to show that it does have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving properties. Patchouli oil has a characteristic scent that might be described as woody, sweet, and spicy. Because of this, it’s often used as a scent additive in products like perfumes, cosmetics, and incense.
Patchouli oil has a variety of additional uses throughout the world. Some of these include:
• treating skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, or dry, cracked skin
• easing symptoms of colds, headaches, and stomach upset
• relieving depression
• helping to ease stress or anxiety
• helping with oily hair or dandruff
• controlling appetite
• using as an insecticide, antifungal, or antibacterial agent

Patchouli oil can be applied topically and also used for aromatherapy. As always, it’s important to remember that essential oils are very concentrated and should be properly diluted* before using on the skin or for aromatherapy. Never apply undiluted essential oil to the skin. Most essential oil blends for skin application should contain between 1 and 5 percent essential oil.
*Essential oils used for topical application should be diluted in a carrier oil. There are a wide variety of carrier oils available, including jojoba, sweet almond, and avocado oil.

Patchouli oil mixes well with many other essential oils, where it contributes its rich, spicy aroma. Some examples of good oils to blend patchouli with include:
• cedarwood
• frankincense
• jasmine
• myrrh
• rose
• sandalwood

It's Friday! so here's today's essential oil:

Rose Geranium Essential Oil Some claims about rose geranium essential oil are well-researched and proven, while others aren’t as well-documented. The claimed benefits of rose geranium essential oil include:
Antioxidant and anti-aging properties: Rose geranium oil is an active ingredient in some cosmetic products, like lotions and fragrances. A 2017 review of studies demonstrated that antioxidant properties in rose geranium oil may help reduce the signs of aging. Antioxidants are well-established as natural agents for improving your skin’s ability to heal itself from environmental toxins and exposure.
Anti-inflammatory properties: The anti-inflammatory properties of rose geranium oil have been demonstrated in animal studies. In fact, one 2013 study showed rose geranium oil had a strong impact on reducing swelling in mice paws and ears. It suggested that rose geranium oil could be the basis of new anti-inflammatory drugs that may have less harmful side effects than current medications. (Eeuw! But relevant, I suppose)
Antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties: Rose geranium oil has strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The food service industry even uses rose geranium oil as a natural preservative in some food products. In one 2017 review of studies, rose geranium was shown to reduce bacterial, fungi, and viruses that cause skin disease and infections.
Analgesic and anti-anxiety properties: The scent of rose from the rose flower has been studied and shown to enhance relaxation, offer pain relief, and soothe anxiety. It’s unclear if it’s the scent itself, memories of the scent, or a chemical agent in the scent which creates this chemical reaction in your brain. Anecdotally, some people believe that since rose geranium smells like roses, it can have the same impact on you when you inhale its essential oil.
How do people use rose geranium oil? Rose geranium oil is contained in lots of cosmetic products, including soaps, fragrance, lotions, and anti-aging cosmetics.
Some weight loss and body building supplements include rose geranium oil as an “active ingredient.” There are no studies that demonstrate that rose geranium oil can help you lose weight or build muscle, although it might help you to regulate your blood sugar.
Rose geranium essential oil has components in it that could make it an effective tick repellent. In one 2013 study of 10 different geranium essential oils, each oil demonstrated some repellent activity against the lone star tick, in particular the nymph or young lone star tick.
Essential oils are very potent and meant to be diluted before applying to the skin. Their scent can also be diffused into the air.
Diluted rose geranium essential oils can be applied to skin as an astringent that tightens, brightens, and removes dead skin cells. It can also be used as a soothing and antimicrobial topical agent to help treat bacterial acne.
I just love the fragrance. I find it relaxing, especially when paired with Patchouli Essential Oil. To me, it rounds the “rough” edges off Patchouli and makes for a very relaxed me. I have recently made a Rose Geranium & Patchouli Roman Bath Oil for my own personal use, and I just love it!

Since I'm fluffing around with my recipes, trying different ingredients, as well as some (hopefully) new recipes, I thought I'd create a Friday post each week featuring a different essential oil.
So here goes with the first, the age-old favourite (which I'm not all that keen on, BUT it does have some truly excellent properties):

Lavender Essential Oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils used in aromatherapy. Distilled from the plant Lavandula angustifolia, the oil promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps.
In essential oil practices, lavender is a multipurpose oil. It is purported to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, as well as antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifying, hypotensive, and sedative effects.
Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is also used for depression, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
In foods and beverages, lavender is used as a flavour component.

In manufacturing, lavender is used in pharmaceutical products and as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, potpourri, and decorations.

How does it work?
Lavender contains an oil that seems to have sedating effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects.