A Spa Owner’s Fave Essential Oils for Healthy Skin

By Caryn Gehlmann

One of the things I love about my business, is the opportunity to meet professionals who are dedicated to natural, healthy living. Many years ago I connected with Dorea Dawson who owns a spa near me in Southern Oregon. She’s been on the frontier of using natural products and is an expert on using essential oils for healthy skin. Here’s a recent interview I had with her that you will enjoy.

Tell us about your background and expertise in skincare.

I attended Phagan’s Beauty School in Medford, Oregon shortly after I graduated from manicure school in 1990. I had been employed in numerous other fields including teaching at the junior high school level, real estate sales and hospitality services. I couldn’t really believe I was going back to school to pursue a career in cosmetology; however, I continued to be guided into the field and surrendered to the direction.

About that time I hurt my shoulder and was introduced to Reflexology. After a few sessions, I decided I wanted to add that to my repertoire of services. So as it turned out, these services leaned me into “natural” body services. I was the only one in manicure school that didn’t want to do acrylic nails and the only one in facial school that wanted to mix my own products out of avocado, strawberries, and egg whites (as opposed to using chemical products) for the practicum test.

Since opening Shangri La Spa in 2003, I’ve focused on using natural, organic skincare products, including essential oils. Along with using the healthiest products possible, my emphasis is in offering a soothing environment, using the art of touch, intention, and holistic healing as the basis for enhancing one’s own natural beauty. Rather than “changing the look,” I strive to bring out the perfection of what already exists.

How did you begin to use essential oils for healthy skin?

Essential oils have always been a part of my services. In the 90s, I began giving facials with the only natural product I could find, which at the time was a woman in my local area who made products from organically grown plants, oils, and herbs. But it wasn’t a reliable source. At that time natural products were difficult to come by so I began researching for a really good source. At last, I enrolled in a training course given by Dr. Hauschka’s company. I still remember when an instructor mentioned frequency and the etheric body and the homeopathic remedy qualities of the products. I knew I was home!

Which essential oils for healthy skin do you recommend?

I use lavender infused warm towels to start with, lemon cool rinses, and rose mist at the end of facials, and so many essential oils in between. Some of my favorites are evening primrose, ylang ylang, rose otto, carrot seed, neroli, and borage as a carrier oil. With the help of colloidal silver and gold, facial products rejuvenate and revitalize while harmonizing and healing the skin.

And of course, I love e3’s Skin Care Blend! I sometimes put a drop with my moisturizer for day, and every now and then during cold, dry months, a drop at night with night serum. Oils aren’t really warranted for night use but I find this one light enough. The aroma is lovely and I intuitively use it occasionally on clients at the end of the facial with moisturizer.

How did you connect with Caryn and Essential 3?

I met Caryn shortly after I opened the spa. She had just taken over the production of Jackie’s Lotion and I was familiar with that. She came into the spa and introduced herself. We started chatting and the next thing you know, I gave her a manicure and she gave me some lotion! Breathe of fresh air and delight that she is, we hit it off and have been doing business ever since. And I am so grateful.

Thanks Dorea, for sharing suggestions on how to use essential oils for healthy skin. (To Contact Dorea, her email is doreadawson@gmail.com and her phone number is 541-499-8709.) If you want to start using essential oils as part of your skin care routine, Natural Skin Care: Alternative & Traditional Techniques, by Joni Keim is a great resource! This book can help you make the best natural skin care choices based on your own health and skin type. As always, we have our staff of clinical aromatherapists and healthcare professionals available to answer any of your questions.