Creams made from pure and natural plant products offer one of the most versatile ways in which to use essential oils. The essential oil or oils can be chosen for a very wide variety of therapeutic uses and added to an unperfumed cream base.

Many people, especially those untrained in massage, find creams much easier to handle and apply than carrier oils, so if you wish to continue applying an essential oil at home, a cream may be a better option than an oil mixture.

A characteristic of creams is that they stay on the surface of the skin longer than a carrier oil, and this is obviously helpful when you are dealing with any kind of skin problem, whether it is cosmetic, or a skin disorder. The heavier creams can provide a barrier between the skin and the outer environment which protects and promotes healing.

Simple creams can be made at home quite easily, usually using various combinations of oil, beeswax and water or flower waters. Almond oil is the classic base oil from which creams are made, and thicker, heavier creams can be made with coconut oil or cocoa butter added to the almond oil. Special base oils such as jojoba, avocado, peach kernel, etc. are usually added in relatively small amounts for their particular properties. To such a cream, virtually any essential oil that is appropriate to the condition you want to treat can be added. You will find some recipes for such creams under the 'Recipes' link on your left. The classic Galen's Cold Cream for example.

Making your own aromatherapy skin cream is easy to do. Not only will it keep your skin healthy, moisturized, and soft, it will smell delicious.

Start with 2 tablespoons of shea butter.
Put the shea butter in a small, wide-mouthed glass jar and put into a small pot of water and heat on a low flame.
When the shea butter is melted, add 8 teaspoons of sesame oil, mix well, and remove from the heat.
Add the essential oils and stir well.

If you do not want to make your own creams, you might try adding essential oils to ready-made creams, but in this case it is really important to be sure that they are made from pure plant substances and that no harmful chemicals have been added, It is not, as yet, obligatory for the makers of creams and other skin preparations to list all their ingredients, though some do so voluntarily, so do be certain that you buy only brands which are known to be trustworthy in this respect.