Continuing our second series of Fix Yourself with Nature, we’ve joined forces once again with some of our favourite green beauties to bring you a jojoba, lavender and tea tree winter remedy oil to sooth your cold season skin and keep it looking its best!

This healing oil is incredibly versatile. It works beautifully as a moisturising massage oil, is gentle enough to soothe inflammation and offers a natural way to heal common skin and scalp complaints, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, tinea and dandruff.

Jojoba oil works well as a neutral base because it mimics the skins own oils. This is particularly relevant when used on the face, since many of us experience congested pores and breakouts. Lavender works to improve circulation and is anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. You’ve probably come across tea tree for its similar well-known benefits. One thing to note is that essential oils are very potent so less is more when it comes to using them on your body, too much can cause irritation.

While it may seem counter-intuitive to apply oil to clogged pores, the right oil can help decrease sebum production for a clearer complexion. Nourishment and support is the key to healing so anything that strips the skin, such as harsh ‘oil-free’ products, is generally counterproductive. If you have used oils to mixed success, it is worth considering the specific chemical composition in each oil and how this is interacting with your skin.

To get a little technical, this is where the linoleic and oleic acid ratio comes in. For example, excess sebum in acne sufferers contains high levels of oleic acid, so using a facial oil with increased levels of linoleic acid will balance this out. Evening primrose, grape seed, safflower and hemp seed oils are all high in linoleic acid, so would be ideal. Olive, avocado, apricot kernel and sweet almond oils are perfect for those with dry skin, but because they are rich in oleic acid, acne sufferers should avoid them.

Jojoba contains a balance of oleic and linoleic acid, so it is appropriate for both dry and oily skin types. But feel free to substitute for another carrier oil, bearing in mind how the oleic/linoleic acid content may affect your skins response.

Ingredients:

30ml main carrier oil: jojoba/evening primrose/sweet almond etc. 6 drops lavender oil
6 drops tea tree oil

Method:

Fill a small dropper bottle with jojoba oil. Add the drops of lavender and tea tree oil. Shake bottle to combine. When needed, take a few drops of the serum in your palms and massage into problem areas.

Recipe and words: Amy Pennington (Herbalist and naturopathic nutritionalist)
Creative direction: Olivia Crighton
Photography: Laura Allard-Fleischl
Styling: Victoria Spicer