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Welcome back, my dear friend!

Today I’m focusing on vetiver skincare! Have you heard of vetiver before? You’ve probably seen vetiver oil mentioned in ingredients lists. Its INCI listing is vetiveria zizanoides.

Vetiver is a perennial grass similar to other fragrant grasses such as lemongrass, citronella and palmarosa. It’s native to India, and its major producers include Haiti, India, Indonesia, and Réunion. (source: Wikipedia)

Its essential oil is derived from its fibrous roots which are cleaned, dried and distilled to produce the oil. (source: Soil)

What does vetiver smell like?

To me, it’s warm, earthy, green, woody, and smoky. It’s a bit like a plant hug from some ancient tree in a damp forest. Vetiver is a traditionally masculine fragrance. Its grounding notes draw me in and comfort me; perfect in these times of uncertainty.

Vetiver grass
By treesftfCC BY 2.0

Think you haven’t experienced vetiver before? You’re likely mistaken. Surprisingly, vetiver features in up to 40 per cent of women’s fragrances. (source: fashionbeans.com)

History and use of vetiver

The history and use of the plant are also really interesting. Check this out from The Fragrance Library:

Vetiver has a rich history. In India it has been used to make blinds necessary to keep out the intense heat. When the blinds are sprinkled with water they emit the vetiver scent.

In Java, vetiver root is used in folk magic to promote personal safety. The spell involves inhaling vetiver while visualising one’s body as being sealed off from negative energies. (source: The Fragrance Library)

So it’s clear that vetiver isn’t just a pleasurable fragrance. It has a long history! But it also has specific skincare, emotional, and health benefits, too.

Let’s look at them now.

The skincare benefits of vetiver

Vetiver has been used for centuries in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. (source: Decleor)

It’s claimed that vetiver essential oil aids skin cell regeneration and boosts the growth of new cells. It can help with wound healing, helping scars and blemishes disappear faster, leading to radiant skin. (source: netmeds.com)

Vetiver essential oil is said to have powerful antibacterial compounds which make it an ideal ingredient to deeply cleanse and purify the skin. (source: Decleor)

And it has calming and cooling properties for skin. It’s rich in antioxidants, making it a great pro-ageing choice. (source: Kama Ayurveda)

And what about our emotions? Let’s find out.

Vetiver for emotional wellbeing – stress reduction & grounding

Known as the oil of tranquillity, vetiver is known to have sedative and calming properties.

Vetiver is indicated if you have a tendency to overthink, overdo, be scattered and away with the fairies.

yogandha.com

Science backs this up – there are studies that prove that vetiver can help with anxiety, alertness, and brain function. It may be helpful in treating ADHD and even snoring! (source: healthline)

Have you heard of functional fragrances?

One such product is Forest Lungs by The Nue Co which is on my wish-list to try. It’s a unisex anti-stress fragrance that promises to reduce stress and give the feeling of bringing the outside in. It uses the healing effects of nature and plants like vetiver, cedarwood, benzoin, pine, patchouli and bergamot. It’s currently on pre-order and costs £85. I can’t wait to try it!

With so many benefits of vetiver, I want to try it in all my beauty products!

Now I’m going to introduce you to three of my newest beauty products that showcase the earthy, grounding, and refreshing goodness of vetiver.

I hope you get to try them!

Vetiver skincare – 3 products to try

Soil Vetiver Essential Oil

A fabulous place to start with vetiver in skincare is buying vetiver essential oil. This opens a world of possibilities for use such as diffusion, adding to carrier oils for massage or bathing, etc.

Soil Vetiver Essential Oil

I have several essential oils from Soil and I’m happy to report they’re excellent quality. This Soil Vetiver Essential Oil is organic, and at £26.50, it’s one of the most expensive essential oils I own. Yet a great investment in my essential oils collection. It has so many uses and blends well with other essential oils.

In perfumery, vetiver is a base note, which mingles with the heart notes to provide the lasting impression of a fragrance blend (source). According to tisserand.com, vetiver blends well with neroli, sweet orange, sandalwood, ylang ylang, geranium, and lemongrass.

This oil is seriously viscous and dark in colour. I mean, you won’t get it out of the bottle without a fight! I’ve used Soil Vetiver Essential Oil in my diffuser, but only when mixed with other, lighter oils to avoid clogging up my nebulising diffuser.

But it smells absolutely amazing! So far I’ve mixed it with patchouli, sweet orange, bergamot, and lemon for a grounding and uplifting blend. I use this in my diffuser and also diluted with a carrier oil for a homemade body oil.

With so many choices for use, I definitely recommend investing in this oil given all its benefits.

Note: vetiver essential oil may not be safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so do check with your midwife or similar expert before using.

Nikura Vetiver Essential Oil

Buy Now – £8.95 at Amazon


Clockface Beauty Face Mask with Rhassoul Clay & Vetiver

This is my first time trying Clockface Beauty, and I’m so happy to get the chance to try the brand whose motto is “time is of the essence”.

Clockface Beauty Face Mask with Rhassoul Clay & Vetiver

Clockface describe the mask as a “cleansing, softening and toning face mask, imbued with the purifying properties of rhassoul clay and the rejuvenating qualities of vetiver, for a gentle yet powerful addition to your skincare regime.” It’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.

Draws on the proven power of vetiver for revitalising and regenerating skin tissue.

The brand claim that the antioxidant-rich mask delivers antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent action, helping restore natural elasticity while calming irritation and leaving the face feeling softer, smoother and younger with an even skin tone.

Texture of Clockface Beauty Face Mask with Rhassoul Clay & Vetiver

Clockface Beauty Face Mask comes in a gorgeous cardboard carton with a dark glass jar. The mask is thick, oily, unctuous and slightly grainy. I apply the mask with clean fingers and massage it gently over my face. The fragrance is slightly oily and clay-like, the vetiver fragrance is slightly discernible but not noticeably so.

This isn’t the typical clay mask that would dry hard if allowed. It stays wonderfully moist as it seems to be oil based. After 8 minutes, the mask is surprisingly easy to wash off.

My skin is soft, smooth, supple, and I love how my skin tone appears more even and less blotchy. This mask doesn’t dry my skin out in any way. It makes a welcome change from typical drying clay masks.

I’m really happy with Clockface Beauty Face Mask, and I can’t wait to see the long term benefits!

Clockface Beauty Face Mask with Rhassoul Clay & Vetiver

Buy Now – £26 at Four London


SoulTree Shower Gel with Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver

SoulTree is a relatively new brand to LoveLula, so I couldn’t wait to try something from them! This soap-free shower gel with rose and vetiver sounds absolutely wonderful.

SoulTree Shower Gel with Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver

It promises to bring hydration for supple skin while lending a soothing and calming effect. Along with vetiver, there’s also rosewater, aloe vera, and honey for an aromatic shower experience.

The shower gel comes in this very handsome plastic pump action bottle. The lightly-textured and tinted gel spreads easily across the body and immediately envelopes the senses with rose and vetiver fragrance. It is quite something! It lathers gently and feels mildly astringent, but not drying. My skin is clean, comfortable, and soft.

I’m so happy with SoulTree Shower Gel and I know it’s going to bring me joy over the coming months.

SoulTree Shower Gel with Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver

Buy Now – £10.30 at Ecco Verde


Final thoughts on vetiver skincare

I hope you’ve enjoyed this delve into vetiver skincare and my vetiver skincare picks? It really is an amazing plant!

Have you tried vetiver? Let me know in the comments. And remember to follow me and subscribe to my blog to hear about my latest content.

Until next time!

Helen

6 Comments

  1. Amber Myers Reply

    Everything sounds interesting! I might have to try some of these out. I am curious!

  2. I haven’t tried this before. But I think it would make a great addition to my essential oils collection.

  3. I love face masks so I’m always looking for new ones to try. Will have to check these products out!

  4. Gorgeous photos as always. I am going to look out for vetiver from now on, thank you for such an interesting post.

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