Times are pretty challenging for many right now, and we all find solace in very different ways. One way we at Clean Beauty Collective like to tap into our calmer selves is via beauty offerings that go to work on your skin and your senses.

We can’t exactly escape the pandemic with a 12-day silent retreat in Byron Bay, but we can curate a few at-home rituals that calm and soothe the mind. Whether you’re into body oils, cleansers, face mists, bubble baths, or more, you can look for relaxing, soothing ingredients and scents that are focussed on optimum stress relief for right now.

There are studies that show aromatherapy has a significant impact on the reduction of stress and anxiety, which makes a lot of sense because of the way that the practice can impact our receptors. Our smell receptors are a part of our nervous system. Our nervous system is connected to and throughout our bodies and is responsible for a lot of our bodily functions.

Turning to the use of aromatherapy and pleasing smells sends signals to our smell receptors, which signals the brain’s limbic system. This clever little being is responsible for your emotions, memories, and stimulation. Once the signal is received and carried into the nervous system, the calming impact that it has turns down the threat detectors and reduces the stress hormones.

For some basic aromatherapy solutions to how you might be feeling right now, here is a pretty simple guide:

Essential oils that help induce sleep: lavender, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, chamomile, neroli, marjoram, cedar, bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, rose

Essential oils for de-stressing: rose, clary sage, frankincense, lavender, bergamot, marjoram, ylang-ylang, lemon, geranium, orange, sandalwood, chamomile, vetiver

Essential oils for improving concentration: rosemary, basil, peppermint, helichrysum, cedar, vetiver, grapefruit, pine, juniper

Essential oils for energy: lemon, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, ginger, rosemary, spearmint, black pepper, jasmine

Delve a little deeper into the practice and before long you’ll be mixing up some blends of your own, or opt for beauty products that incorporate delicious smells with additional benefits for the skin like the following fragrant little wonders…

Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir

A favourite of Meghan Markle’s, Beuti’s Beauty Sleep Elixir is a delicious to use, all-natural blend of 14 plant-based oils. It was formulated to reduce inflammation, prevent collagen and elastin breakdown and nourish the skin, and the ingredient deck includes a Caribbean coral extract that is a powerful anti-inflammatory, as well as sandalwood nut kernel oil to help prevent the breakdown of skin elasticity. Needless to say it smells amazing, and deeply soothes before bed at night.

Abel Nurture Eau de Parfum

To create this super soothing scent, organic children’s brand Gray Label came together with natural perfume house Abel Odor and produced a 100 percent natural Eau de Parfum for new and expecting mothers. Recognising the transformational journey that mothers go through during pregnancy and later into motherhood, the brands founders – mothers themselves – set out to create a fragrance specially designed to bring peace. It was created by then-pregnant French perfumer Fanny Grau, who selected ingredients for the beauty of their scent profile, as well as their healing properties. Calming rose and energising orange blossom are in there, along with ginger for its anti-nausea properties and sandalwood for grounding. We reckon it’s not just for mums, and is the ultimate soother.

Plant Apothecary Ground Control Organic Body Oil

Easily absorbed and deeply moisturising, GROUND CONTROL Organic Body Oil from Plant Apothecary is delicately scented with the organic essential oils of invigorating rosemary and relaxing bergamot, to help sharpen and calm your mind at the same time. That right there, is aromatherapy at its best! The base of organic sunflower and apricot seed oils is naturally loaded with Vitamin E, but leaves no greasy afterfeel to ruin your day.

Ethique Sweet Orange & Vanilla Butter Block 

In keeping with all things solid, Ethique have made a world-class body lotion in a divine buttery block. Cocoa butter alongside lecithin, babassu and coconut oils and pure essential oils create a bar that is easy to use, supremely hydrating and fabulous for heels, elbows or anywhere else needing a little TLC. Best used straight after a shower on damp skin and equivalent to almost 500ml of liquid lotion, we think it’s the ultimate post-morning shower treat to kick off a lazy Sunday.

Forest Rhapsody Dew Drops Enzymatic Cleansing Gel

An elaborate blend of gentle enzymes, potent plant oils and soothing extracts, this luscious golden gel has been called “reminiscent of morning dew drops on a charming sprint”, and we think it’s simply delicious. It is designed to diligently cleanse while lavishly treating your skin to a sensorial feast of nourishing ingredients, and includes an awakening fragrance thanks to essential oils Bergamot, Grapefruit and Lemongrass.