Base Oils and Essential Fatty Acids
What are Therapeutic Base Oils?
Some people think of body oils just being for massage and avoid them as body treatments or hydrators as they are worried the oil is going to be thick and greasy on their skin. This is where we look to the difference in therapeutic oils that have a fine enough structure to easily penetrate into the skin enabling the delivery of vitamins and nutrients they contain.
There is no use having a vitamin packed oil if it is simply sitting on the surface of the skin. This is why Subtle Energies uses specialised blending of a variety of therapeutic base oils in their Ayurveda Aromatherapy massage blends and skincare that not only aid the delivery of the essential oils and actives blended into them, but have a wide variety of known benefits themselves.
One of the key elements that we find consistent in many of the therapeutic oils we use is not only their ability to deliver nutrients to the deeper active layers of the skin, but also the high levels of EFA’s they contain.
Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) play a critical role in normal skin function. Essential fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes and without a healthy amount of EFA’s present in the cell, the lipid bilayer does not function properly and the cell is unable to work efficiently.
These polyunsaturated fats also help produce and maintain the skin's natural oil barrier. As the cells move toward the top layers of the epidermis the oils help to form your hydrolipidic film. This helps to maintain moisture levels in the skin, increasing the skin’s defence against extrinsic aggressors and supports the acid mantle. EFA’s are also very effective in alleviating symptoms associated with skin sensitivity and inflammatory skin disorders.
Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are mostly accessed by the foods we eat, but topical application via therapeutic oils have been proven as an effective delivery method of the vital fats when delivered through the right oils. Black Seed Sesame is one of the key oils used in Subtle Energies and has a long history in traditional Ayurveda therapies. It acts as a microcapsule with bioactive components that allow fast and easy delivery into the deeper layers of the skin. It has high levels of Essential Fatty Acids (85% total fatty Acids - Omega 6 average of 45% - 50%) as well as the added benefits of Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3 , B5 , B6 & B9), Zinc, Sesamol and Sesaminol (antioxidants).
Black Seed Sesame is the basis of our other active carrier infusions such as Ashwagandha, Brahmi and Amla, and is the base blend for the following Ayurveda Aromatherapy Prescription Blends.
Rasayana Detox Body Blend, Bliss Blend, Muscle Ease Blend, Tranquility Blend, Relax Body Blend, Revive Body Blend, Refresh Body Blend, Padabhyang Blend and the three dosha blends, Pitta (Calming) Blend, Vata (Invigorating) Blend & Kapha (Energising) Blend.
