Summer is a season of sunshine, movement, and—let’s be real—a little extra sweat and sensory overload. It’s also the perfect time to refresh your self-care routine with natural skincare and mood-boosting essential oils.
If your skin is feeling sensitive, your energy’s running on empty, or you’re craving a ritual that feels like a deep breath for your body and your soul—this is for you.
In this guide, we’ll explore plant-based skincare swaps that replace synthetic ingredients with real botanical goodness. Then, we’ll walk through aromatherapy blends to support your mood through every twist and turn of summer. Want to glow from the inside out? You’re in the right place.
Summer Wellness Starts with Natural Skincare
The heat is on, the sun is strong, and your skincare routine? Probably begging for a seasonal refresh.
As more of us lean into holistic living, it’s no surprise our skincare choices are shifting too. Wellness isn’t just about green smoothies and deep breathing—it’s also about what we put on our skin. After all, your skin is your largest organ, and what it absorbs truly matters.
This summer, we’re ditching the synthetics and embracing what nature’s been offering all along: essential oils for your skin and other plant-powered botanicals. Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, soothing a sunburn, or simply chasing that summer glow, these natural skincare swaps deliver results without the chemical drama.
From Lab to Leaf: 4 Natural Skincare Swaps for Radiant Summer Skin
Let’s take a look at four common synthetic ingredients in commercial skincare—and the plant-based alternatives that support your summer wellness from the outside in. These natural swaps all feature essential oils for your skin that nourish, protect, and restore without the chemical side effects.
1. Tea Tree Oil (Swap for: Salicylic Acid)
Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powerhouse. It reduces acne-causing bacteria, balances oil production, and soothes inflamed skin, making it perfect for those humid summer days.
🧴 Use it: In a DIY toner or as a spot treatment, diluted with jojoba oil.
🌱 Try: Jade Bloom’s Tea Tree Essential Oil — pure, potent, and budget-friendly.
💧 Why it’s better: Instead of stripping your skin, tea tree works in harmony with your body’s natural defenses.
2. Rosehip Seed Oil (Swap for: Retinol)
This nutrient-rich oil is loaded with natural vitamins A and C. It encourages skin regeneration, fades dark spots, and smooths out fine lines, without the flaking or sensitivity retinol can cause.
🧴 Use it: Apply 3–4 drops to damp skin at night, or mix with frankincense for an extra glow boost.
🌱 Try: Jade Bloom’s Rosehip Seed Oil — cold-pressed and rich in skin-loving nutrients.
💧 Why it’s better: Gentle yet powerful. You get the benefits of retinol without the harsh “purge” phase.
3. Chamomile Oil (Swap for: Cortisone Cream)
Chamomile is a calming herb that’s just as effective for your skin as it is for your teacup. It reduces inflammation, soothes redness, and calms irritated or sensitive skin.
🧴 Use it: Blend with coconut oil or lotion for a soothing, post-sun body moisturizer.
🌱 Try: Jade Bloom’s Roman Chamomile Oil — peace and comfort in a bottle.
💧 Why it’s better: No side effects or steroid rebound—just calm, plant-powered skincare.
4. Carrot Seed Oil (Swap for: Chemical Sunscreens)
Carrot seed oil offers mild SPF-like support and powerful antioxidants. While it doesn’t replace sunscreen, it’s fantastic for nourishing skin after sun exposure and repairing sun damage.
🧴 Use it: Mix into an after-sun body oil with lavender and peppermint for a cooling, restorative blend.
🌱 Try: Jade Bloom’s Carrot Seed Oil — unrefined and rich in beta-carotene.
💧 Why it’s better: No hormone-disrupting UV filters—just natural support for your skin’s defenses.
From Skin to Soul: Why Quality Matters
When it comes to using essential oils for your skin, purity isn’t optional—it’s essential. That’s why I trust Jade Bloom. Their oils are 100% pure, affordable, and responsibly sourced, which means your skin (and your wellness) gets the good stuff—without the fillers, synthetics, or mystery additives.
So now that we’ve cared for your outer glow, let’s turn inward. Your summer skin is just the beginning because essential oils can also support your mood, energy, and emotions in beautifully simple ways.
💧 DIY Blends for Glowing Skin
These simple recipes feature essential oils for your skin that hydrate, soothe, and restore naturally. Whether you’re targeting blemishes or just want that radiant summer glow, these blends bring the spa to your shelf, with zero synthetic ingredients.
🌿 Tea Tree Clarifying Toner
Balances oil, calms breakouts, and refreshes skin, especially in summer humidity.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup alcohol-free witch hazel
- ¼ cup lavender hydrosol
- 4 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions:
Shake in a glass spray or dropper bottle. Apply with a cotton pad after cleansing.
🌹 Rosehip and Frankincense Night Serum
Brightens and nourishes while you sleep. Great for dark spots, fine lines, and dry patches.
Ingredients:
- 3 drops rosehip seed oil
- 1 drop of frankincense essential oil
Instructions:
Gently pat into damp skin before bed. Wake up glowing.
🌼 Chamomile After-Sun Body Lotion
Soothes sun-exposed skin with anti-inflammatory goodness.
Ingredients:
- A few drops of chamomile essential oil
- Unscented lotion or whipped shea butter
Instructions:
Mix in a palm or small jar and apply to arms, shoulders, or anywhere needing TLC.
🥕 Carrot Seed After-Sun Repair Oil
Nourishes and cools skin after long days outside.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp jojoba oil
- 5 drops of carrot seed essential oil
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 3 drops peppermint oil
Instructions:
Massage into skin after sun exposure—especially arms, face, and shoulders.
🌼 Because your skin deserves VIP treatment (and your memory deserves a break)
I put together some lovely printable recipe cards for these glowing skin blends, perfect for tucking into your self-care drawer or sticking to the fridge next to your grocery list. No scrolling, no guessing, just mix and glow. It’s my little gift to you because you’re worth it, and also, who remembers ratios off the top of their head? 😉
Click here for your DIY Blends for Glowing Skin Recipe Cards
🌼 Aromatherapy for Every Mood
Let’s be real—glowing skin is great, but it’s tough to enjoy when your mind is spinning and your energy’s all over the place.
Between summer schedules, noisy days, and the mental whiplash of “doing all the things,” your nervous system might be the part of you most in need of care. That’s where aromatherapy comes in—not just for scent, but for support.
Using essential oils for your skin and your senses can ease emotional tension, support mental clarity, and gently guide you back to the center. Whether you need grounding, focus, calm, or rest, these mood blends deliver support in just a few drops.
Mood-Boosting Essential Oil Blends
😌 Calm Blend
- Lavender
- Frankincense (or Cedarwood for a kid-friendly option)
- Orange
💡 Use a diffuser or roller bottle for emotional support
⚡ Energy Blend
- Peppermint
- Lemon
- Rosemary
💡 Use: Diffuser in the morning or add to a shower steamer
💤 Sleep Blend
Diffuser:
- Lavender
- Sage
- Cedarwood
Roller:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Top with a carrier oil
💡 Bonus: Mist your pillow with Lavender Peaceful Spray for extra dreamy vibes
Focus Blend
- Sage
- Lemon
- Peppermint
💡 Use: Roller for desk time or diffuser for work/homeschool
🧴 Temple roller tip: Blend tea tree + lemon in almond oil for a clean-focus feel
✨ Take It Further with Scented Days
Loving these blends but not sure where to start—or how to keep it consistent.
That’s exactly why I created Scented Days: A Guided Month of Aromatherapy. It’s a printable guide designed to help you experience the emotional and energetic benefits of essential oils in simple, daily steps.
💛 What’s inside:
-
31 days of intentional prompts and essential oil blends
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Space to reflect, track your mood and set your intentions
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A rhythm you can follow or freestyle based on how you feel
Whether you’re brand new to aromatherapy or just ready for a little more structure, Scented Days is your gentle guide to feeling more grounded, clear, and supported one drop at a time.
👉 Buy Today: Scented Days: A Guided Month of Aromatherapy
Wellness in Practice, Not Perfection
The goal isn’t to do everything—it’s to make one small shift. That could mean swapping your lotion for rosehip oil, using a morning focus blend before opening your inbox or winding down with a chamomile-infused foot rub.
Essential oils for your skin and mood can become powerful tools for connection and calm, especially when used with intention. And here’s the best part: you don’t need a shelf full of oils to start. Just two or three, used consistently, can gently support your nervous system and bring beauty to your everyday rituals.
🌸 Final Encouragement
There’s no perfect way to start.
Just choose one thing. Try one oil. Make one blend.
Whether you’re brand new to all this or simply craving a more mindful summer, you’re already taking care of yourself just by being here.
Let your natural skincare and aromatherapy routines be about connection, not control. About calm, not perfection.
You’ve got this—and I’m so glad you’re here.
