We use a lot of different essential oils in our different product lines, because we believe in the power of these oils, especially when they're used properly. Here are five important essential oils and what they do for the body.

Lavender: This essential oil helps to correct broken and damaged skin, eczema, burns and sunburns. People who have severe or chronic headaches swear that lavender also works wonders to eliminate headaches when a few drops of this versatile essential oil are applied to the temples. They say it's helpful in relieving the tension and fatigue that come with a pounding headache. Lavender can also be used to calm a person who is prone to panic attacks. Inflammatory skin conditions also benefit from the application of lavender oil. Find this ingredient in: Doctor D. Schwab Cell Renewal Night Cream and Doctor D. Schwab Controlling Balm.

Peppermint: This essential oil is very cooling to the skin, as well as having a stimulating effect. Those who suffer from such afflictions as headaches, fatigue, and muscular pain (such as the kind experienced by over-exercising) will benefit by using this oil. Peppermint oil can stimulate the mental processes, and can help to stimulate poor circulation of the blood. Some students may use this oil to “wake up the brain” before a big test or study period, and those who want to get more out of a workout may sniff a few drops in a handkerchief to pep up the body. Find this ingredient in: Ambrosia Aromatherapy Aromatic / Oil Balancing / Toning Blend.

Chamomile: This is a very mild essential oil. It is known for its soothing properties. Chamomile oil can be used to relieve many skin conditions, calm nerves, soothe headaches, and to relieve muscular spasms. You find this distilled into a tea, and it is commonly served with honey or lemon. Some people use chamomile as a sleep aid. This essential oil may also be used in a sour stomach aid, relieve colds and has a soothing effect on eye infections. Find this ingredient in: Doctor D. Schwab Sensitive Cleanser, Doctor D. Schwab Azuelene Eye Makeup Remover, Doctor D. Schwab Ginkgo Mask and Ambrosia Aromatherapy Wellness Soak Eucalyptus and Basil.

Ylang-ylang: This is a very powerful, almost euphoric essential oil. It helps to reduce nervousness, physical exhaustion, depression, and anxiety. The essential oil is actually harvested from the root, rather than the bark, of the ylang-ylang tree. This tree can be found in its native Indonesia, and is part of the custard apple family. Find this ingredient in: Ambrosia Aromatherapy Aromatic Oil Balancing Toning Blend and Ambrosia Aromatherapy Aromatic Wellness Soak Ylang-Ylang and Orange.

Eucalyptus: This mild essential oil is great for mental and physical exhaustion, and is an insect repellent. Eucalyptus oil is also used for cleaning, deodorizing, and is often found in food supplements, like cough drops and decongestants. Find this ingredient in: Doctor D. Schwab Sensitive Cleanser and Ambrosia Aromatherapy Aromatic Wellness Soak Eucalyptus and Basil.

While there are many more essential oils we use, these are five of our favorites, either in our own products, or in some of the every day products we buy for our home use (although, yes, we're a little hard pressed to tell you where you'd find ylang-ylang at your local supermarket).

Your skin is the largest organ, so why shouldn’t you invest in good skin care? A good skincare routine will leave you with younger, fresher looking exterior, sure to knock years off of your age. Having radiant skin can be your best accessory just by following these few simple steps:

• Always wash your face twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening.

  Women should never sleep with makeup on! No matter how tired you are, always remember to remove your makeup before hitting the sheets.

• Toner isn’t just for the acne-prone anymore.

  To achieve the best results, you will want to swipe a cotton ball saturated with toner over your entire face. By doing this one simple step, you will help balance the pH of your skin so you’ll have a good foundation for any product that you may layer on afterwards. A skin care product can’t do its job when your skin’s pH is off.

• After cleansing and toning your face, you will want to use a good serum – both morning and night.

  Nighttime cleansing calls for a regenerative serum, when your cells are busy repairing the damage done during the day. Serums are typically lotions that are non-oily and water-based that has hydration and/ or regenerative properties when applied to the skin. Serums also have a high concentration of special ingredients that allow for easy absorption by the skin, and are typically applied prior to moisturizing.

• Always use a day moisturizer

  that protects you from free-radical damage caused by environmental pollutants and the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays. Before bed and after your evening serum use, you will want to apply a moisturizer that is specifically for cellular renewal at night.

• Use a gentle exfoliant twice a week to remove dead skin cells.

  Sometimes your skin needs a little help in getting rid of old, worn-out cells — these old-timers cluster on the surface, not allowing the new cells to breathe. A lotion touted as "exfoliating" can slough off the extra skin cells, thereby exposing the fresh, new, and younger skin to the world. Exfoliating can also prepare the skin to better absorb skin care products — like clearing away debris in your yard before applying fertilizer.

• Twice a week, after exfoliating, apply a mask to your face for 20 minutes.

  This will rejuvenate and brighten your complexion.

• When you step outside, don’t forget your hat!

  Always wear protection when going out – a hat and sun-protective clothing can do wonders for your skin. Even cloudy days can damage your skin.

  

  Doctor D. Schwab Moisturizing Group: Sensitive Cleanser, Sensitive Moisturizer Day & Night

Whether you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift or looking to jump-start your summer skin routine, we have two power-packed moisturizers that will make skin look refreshed and renewed for Spring. As an added bonus, for a limited time they come with a Free Skin Essentials Travel Set!

Super Repair^TM CoQ10 Moist

A concentrated blend of active botanicals, enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients prevent and repair the signs of aging. Active ingredients including Peptides, Grape Stem Cells, CoQ10, and Bilberry Seed Oil help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin’s tone, texture and firmness, while providing the right balance of moisture to the skin.

Ginkgo Lift® with Wrinkle Filler

A moisturizer and wrinkle filler which immediately reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles and hydrates for a smooth, radiant complexion. Natural extracts, proteins and polymers are encapsulated in our Alphasomes® skin delivery system for targeted delivery of active ingredients. Active ingredients include Grape Stem Cells to boost skin stem cells, powerful Peptides to reverse the signs of aging, and Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramides to plump skin. This power packed moisturizer gives skin an instant lift and smoothes wrinkles for a younger looking appearance.

Skin Essentials Travel Set

Great if you are new to the line and want to try the products or are looking for smaller sizes of your skin care essentials. Contains everything you need for your basic skin care routine on the go.

Includes:

Herbal Foam Cleanser | Botanical Age Defying Cleanser

A gentle foaming cleanser with anti-irritants that leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Herbal Toner | For Optimally Balanced Skin pH

A refreshing blend of active botanicals which revitalizes pores and keeps skin pH balanced.

Cell Renewal Day Cream | Antioxidant Day Moisture

A luxurious daytime moisturizer with effective natural ingredients and powerful free-radical exchangers including Sodium Hyaluronate, Grape Stem Cells, Olive Leaf Extract, Ceramides, and Ginseng. Helps to regenerate damaged skin and improve skin texture as well as hydrates and softens skin.

Bamboo Cream Peel | Gentle Micro Exfoliator

A gentle, non-irritating skin smoother with natural bamboo, jojoba beads and crushed almonds. Exfoliates dead surface skin cells for soft, silky skin and a more radiant complexion.

Tied closely to memory and emotion, scent is powerful and is scientifically proven to heal the mind and consequently, the body. In fact, the origin of the word ”Aromatherapy” stems from the Greek words “aroma” meaning fragrance or pleasant smell and “therapie” meaning to heal.

In skin care, scent is tied closely with the connection people have with the brand and can be a reason people choose to – or choose not to – purchase the products. This is because fragrances incites chemical changes in our brains, evoking emotions such as calm or happiness. We are often drawn to a product that we think smells good, and the power of scent crosses age ranges and genders. “Fragrance can be as important as, if not more important than, a brand’s logo” says Michael Overstreet Expedite Services Inc. and Fragrance Design LLC in GCI magazine. “Vision is a person’s most relied upon sense, but scent often scores a much greater emotional impact.”

Neurologically, scent is tied very closely to the memory, and each brand has a specific scent profile based on what the brand represents.

The Doctor D. Schwab brand is known for being a botanically based natural and green skin care line for men and women and therefore has a clean, fresh, natural scent profile that appeals to all ages. The essential oils in the products are blended not only for their soothing and healing properties; the scent is also taken into account. Some of the lines best selling products also have the most distinct smells:

Thyme gives Herbal Foam Cleanser a fresh, clean smell that both men and women find refreshing. Additionally, Thyme’s antioxidant action offers protection from free radical damage and speeds up skin cell regeneration. It helps to improve skin tone and has astringent qualities so it balances the pH of the skin. Read more about the interesting uses, history, and qualities Thyme in this blog post about the herb.

Read more about Thyme in the Blog Post: Thyme in Skincare and Throughout History

Herbal Toner features Citric Acid and Rosemary which refresh and balance the senses.

Read more about Rosemary in the Blog Post: Rosemary in Skincare and Throughout History

Which product is your favorite scent-wise?

You may know Rosemary as a naturally flourishing and easy to grow herb commonly used in cooking, but it is also an effective natural skincare ingredient with a multitude of benefits. Rosemary also has a rich history as a medicinal herb, and at one point was even a symbol of love.

Rosemary in Skincare

Rosemary is one of the most common herbs used in skin care; this medicinal plant is rich in biologically active compounds, including antioxidants such as carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. It is also rich in microelements and nutrients including iron, calcium, vitamins and antioxidants, pinene, camphor (up to 20% in dry rosemary leaves), cineole, verbenon and other components which provide skin with a multitude of benefits and improve skin quality. Rosemary Extract, Rosemary Oil (Rosemarinus officinalis), and Rosemarinic Acid are effective for many skin types.

Rosemary is used in Anti-Aging products since it contains naturally powerful antioxidants which inhibit the activities of free radicals and slow the effects of aging due to the Bioflavonoids present in the tannic acids and extracts. Rosemary is also recommended in anti-aging skincare due to its powerful regenerating, rejuvenating and stimulating activities. Rosemary Oil has skin lightening effects and helps to naturally correct age spots. It also helps to tone and tighten sagging and loose skin to help it look firmer and more elastic. Additionally, Rosemary stimulates biological activity and cell growth to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also stimulates blood flow which helps to improve the complexion by making skin look healthier while also allowing nutrients to effectively reach the skin while removing waste products and toxins.

Used in Oily Skin products, the herb has powerful astringent properties which help it to effectively reduce oil, as well as refresh and rejuvenate skin. The disinfectant and antibiotic properties contribute to its use for treating acne and oily skin conditions.

Rosemary is also used in Sensitive Skin products due to the powerful anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce swelling and puffiness by calming inflammation and soothing the skin. Rosemary’s skin regenerative and wound healing properties helps to improve the appearance of chronic skin conditions including dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

Rosemary’s Aromatherapeutic Benefits

Rosemary is used widely in Aromatherapy as it is pleasantly aromatic and has naturally antidepressant uplifting and balancing effects. The stimulant properties of Rosemary refresh and rejuvenate, helping you to feel energized. Rosemary helps to uplift the spirit as well as refresh mental fatigue. It can also relax the mind to ease the pain of headaches as well as muscle pain.

 As a caution, people with epilepsy and women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid high concentrations of Rosemary Oil, such as in massage oils, since it is a stimulant.

Doctor D. Schwab Products with Rosemary for All Skin Types

Herbal Foam Cleanser

Herbal Toner

S&T Foaming Body Scrub (Cellulite)

Oily Skin Doctor D. Schwab Products with Rosemary

Controlling Balm with Tea Tree Oil

Controlling Mask with Tea Tree Oil

Herbal Serum – Blemished/Oily Skin Control

Anti Aging Doctor D. Schwab Products with Rosemary

Retinol Rejuvenate Night Cream

Flawless Skin Fluid

Super Repair CoQ10 Moist

Sensitive Skin Doctor D. Schwab Products with Rosemary

Herbal Serum – Rosacea Alphasomes C8

Rosemary Plant

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), a native of the Mediterranean region, with cultivated varieties grown in France, Tunisia, Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia, is a member of the Mint family. It is a perennial woody herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves. The name derives from the Latin name rosmarinus, which translates into "dew of the sea" because in many locations it needs no other water than the humidity carried by the sea to survive.

Rosemary in History

Rosemary is associated with the goddess Aphrodite who was said to be draped with Rosemary when she rose from the sea. The Virgin Mary is also associated with the herb as she was said to have spread her cloak over a white-blossomed rosemary bush when she was resting; according to legend, the flowers turned blue, the color now most associated with her.

The Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks and the Romans considered Rosemary sacred. In the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off evil spirits and as a protection against the plague. It was also extensively used by ancient healers. Dried Rosemary, along with Juniper berries, was burned in French hospitals during epidemics to purify the air and prevent infection. Due to Rosemary’s restorative properties, prior to the advent of modern antiseptics, it was used to medicate bandages before they were applied to wounds.

Rosemary has an old reputation for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (during weddings, war commemorations and funerals) in Europe and Australia. Mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." (Hamlet, iv. 5.) One modern study lends some credence to this reputation.

In the Middle Ages, it was used at weddings; it was entwined in a wreathlike hairpiece worn by the bride and wedding guests would all wear a sprig of rosemary. A Rosemary branch, richly gilded and tied with silk ribbons, was also presented to wedding guests, as a symbol of love and loyalty. From this association with weddings, Rosemary evolved into a love charm. Newlywed couples would plant a branch of rosemary on their wedding day. If the branch grew, it was a good omen for the union and family.

Both in Spain and Italy, it has been considered a safeguard from witches and evil influences.

Rosemary in Food

Rosemary is frequently used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine as it has a bitter, astringent taste and is highly aromatic, which complements a wide variety of foods such as oily fish and lamb. Rosemary is high in iron, calcium, and vitamin B6.