Enter essential oils, an age-old remedy that offers relief as well as relaxation. When given the choice between chemicals and natural ingredients, making a decision is simple, “especially when you can achieve safe, effective, and transformative results from the natural healing power of plants,” says Jessica Frandson who, along with Jill King, founded CAMPO, an aromatherapy brand that prides itself on fresh-from-the-earth formulas free of synthetics, dyes, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial fragrances, and fillers. “Your skin is your biggest organ and what you put on your skin quickly gets into your system, so it is vital that you protect and care for it properly and avoid harsh chemicals whenever possible,” adds King.

Here, this dynamic beauty duo reveals the many multi-sensory benefits of essential oils—from the cooling powers of peppermint to the soothing effects of frankincense.

The Essential Oil Solution: Pesky bugs can quickly put a damper on a social-distanced summer barbeque but surrounding yourself with a sweet-smelling aura of essential oils—such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, litsea cubeba, rosemary, tea tree, and cedarwood—can help stop uninvited guests from crashing the party. Keep one of Campo’s roll-on blends within reach, like Relax (with lavender, rosemary, and chamomile), Immune (with litsea cubeba), Halo (with peppermint), or Breathe (with eucalyptus).

You can also DIY your own blend by combining 20 drops of a pure essential oil (such as lavender, peppermint, cedarwood, or eucalyptus) with one ounce of “carrier oil” (like sunflower or jojoba oil), says Frandson. To create an at-home spritz, simply add 50 drops of Relax, 25 drops of Halo, and 1/3 cup of witch hazel to a four-ounce spray bottle. Mix with 2/3 cup of distilled water and shake to combine before each use. “It is great stored in the refrigerator and will last about a week,” says King of the refreshing repellant.

The Essential Oil Solution: Lavender essential oil offers a soothing effect for both mind and body, while the cooling sensation of peppermint can help distract you from the itch, say Frandson and King. Roman chamomile is another single-note ingredient that helps fight infection and alleviates inflammation. Just be sure to dilute any essential oil before applying to skin by adding it to a base of jojoba or sunflower oil, as these potent natural ingredients can potentially cause irritation. “Using a 2.5% essential oil dilution is generally considered a safe guideline for topical application on adults,” adds Frandson. If crafting your own combo feels too complicated, try Campo’s Relax Body Oil—a skin-calming remedy that’s ready to go.

The Essential Oil Solution: For a disinfecting experience that’s as enjoyable as it is effective, consider diluting antibacterial essential oils like eucalyptus, ravensara, lavender, orange, peppermint, palmarosa, and litsea cubeba into hand sanitizer or soap. Try Campo’s Immune Blend, which boasts a refreshing herbal and citrus scent, in a convenient rollerball form. Or, add a few drops to your favorite handwash to instantly upgrade a sink-side staple. Another option is Campo’s elegant Essential Oil Hand Wash, which is infused with moisturizing coconut, olive, and jojoba oils to counteract dryness. 

The Essential Oil Solution: Alleviating the effects of a little too much sun exposure is a fast fix with soothing essential oils like frankincense, lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. “Thanks to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender can speed up the healing process and help your body recover faster,” explains King. Frankincense also has incredible anti-inflammatory powers and helps regenerate cells, so it’s great to use in tandem with lavender, adds Frandson. Campo’s Relax Body Oil features both ingredients along with vitamin E, jojoba, sunflower, apricot kernel, and camellia seed oils that help hydrate and nourish scorched skin. For instant relief, add a few drops of peppermint oil to this body oil for a cooling effect. 

The Essential Oil Solution: Masks may help lock out germs, but like a greenhouse for your face, they also trap heat, dirt, and oil, making them the ultimate accomplice for fostering blemishes. To combat this, Frandson and King suggest diluting tea tree, chamomile, and/or lavender essential oils with a base of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory jojoba oil. They recommend starting with six drops of essential oil per two teaspoons of jojoba oil, working up to a higher dilution as needed and tolerated. “Since jojoba oil is so similar to the natural sebum in your skin, it can actually help regulate the body’s production of oil,” adds King.

The Essential Oil Solution: It’s fair to say we could all use help chilling out these days—especially as temperatures rise. Peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils can provide some assistance. To create a cooling body mist that offers instant relief, mix 30 drops of any of the aforementioned single-note ingredients with four tablespoons of witch hazel and distilled water in a four-ounce spray bottle. Shake vigorously before each use and store in the fridge to boost the formula’s icy effects.

The Essential Oil Solution: Whether it was a solo hike that left your body aching, a Zoom workout class gone awry, or camping out on your couch all day with less-than-perfect posture, a blend of copaiba balsam, peppermint, eucalyptus, and clove essential oils is perfect for minimizing pain. Plus, the mellow scent is an excellent way to unwind the mind. “Incorporating deep breathing also helps relax sore muscles and increases blood flow to the affected area,” says Frandson. Treat sore spots with Campo’s Muscle Blend Roll-On or massage the Hydration Body Oil from the neck down to relieve tension all over.