Cooling Body Spray with Rose and Peppermint Essential Oil

Summer is here, and with it all the joys and woes of a warmer climate. Whether summer means road trips, picnics, or time spent by the pool, lake, or ocean, having ways to refresh your skin and cool down from the heat will help make those hot, lazy summer afternoons even more enjoyable. This cooling body spray features peppermint essential oil to refresh your skin and senses, as well as aloe and rose hydrosol for a soothing effect on the skin. It’s easy to make and quite portable—keep this DIY body spray in the car, in your to-go bag, or in your workspace and use anytime you need a cooling, revitalizing summer spritz for your skin. 

Key Ingredients

Let’s take a look at the key ingredients in this cooling body spray before we get to mixing! 

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Peppermint leaf is a multifaceted herb with a cooling energy, making it ideal for summer; it reduces pitta dosha and can serve as a diaphoretic, carminative, and nervine (Frawley & Lad, 2001). It is known to calm headaches and may ease nervous tension, anxiety, and stress (Dass, 2013). Plain peppermint or spearmint leaves make an excellent tea, whether used fresh or dried. You can even sprinkle fresh mint leaves into salads or add them to other savory foods, such as veggie wraps and spring rolls. Mint has the unique ability to both soothe and uplift—the aromatic leaves calm the belly and enliven the mind. Peppermint essential oil, in particular, has a demonstrated capacity to improve alertness and memory (Groves, 2016). 

Peppermint essential oil is a highly concentrated form of peppermint and is an ideal way to enjoy the aromatic qualities of the herb. It is important to use caution with essential oils around mucous membranes and keep away from your eyes, and keep in mind that the uses we’re discussing here are topical or inhalation (not ingestion). Incorporating peppermint essential oil into a room or body spray is an ideal way to enjoy the benefits of peppermint in a highly potent (and great-smelling!) medium. Furthermore, not only does peppermint boost alertness and cognition (a highly desirable effect when the heat of summer seems to be melting your ability to think clearly), it also has a mild antifungal effect, offering an added advantage for your skin. Note that due to its menthol content, peppermint essential oil should not be used for young children (some practitioners suggest avoiding in children less than 6 years of age, and others in children less than 3 years). 

Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)

Though the cheerful aroma of this cooling body spray comes from peppermint essential oil, aloe vera and rose hydrosol offer further benefits for the skin. Aloe vera is well known for its ability to calm inflammation in overheated skin. The gel is a tried and true go-to for after-sun exposure, helping to soothe sunburns when applied topically. Aloe vera, with its cooling energy and anti-inflammatory effects, is useful for mild burns, cuts, and skin irritations (Dass, 2013). It also has a number of benefits for the digestive system when taken internally in a food-grade preparation, revealing the soothing, nutritive nature of the herb. For this cooling body spray, I used a plain, organic thick aloe gel. Look for a thick aloe gel with as few ingredients as you can find. Many products that are labeled as aloe vera gel have additives such as dyes or excessive stabilizers that are best to avoid. 

Rose (Rosa spp.)

What doesn’t our beloved rose do?! A global symbol of love and beauty, rose petals are a popular ingredient in skincare, and for good reason. Also characterized by a cooling energy (yes, there is a theme!), rose petals calm overheated, irritated skin and offer a gentle toning, astringent action. In Ayurveda, rose is much revered for balancing heat and irritation associated with excess pitta dosha. Plain rose hydrosol is an excellent, simple item to keep on hand for everyday skincare, and is safe to use on your face as a toner or facial spray. You can purchase rose hydrosol from your local health food store or herbal apothecary. Or, learn about making your own hydrosols.

Once you gather your peppermint essential oil, aloe vera gel, and rose hydrosol, all you need is distilled water, and you are ready to formulate. Here’s how to mix up this cooling body spray in minutes.

To Use: 

Keep this cooling body spray on hand and spritz onto your skin as desired or use as a refreshing room or car spray. Shake well before each use.

In Closing, 

Whether you worship the sun and long for the long afternoons of summer or bemoan the heat and potential discomfort that summer brings, we can call upon our herbal allies to bring in joy and balance no matter the time of year. This cooling body spray will uplift your senses and gently soothe your skin, offering refreshment and cooling properties any time you need a little pick-me-up during the dog days of summer. 

REFERENCES

Dass, V. (2013). Ayurvedic herbology east & west: A practical guide to ayurvedic herbal medicine. Lotus Press. 

Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The yoga of herbs: An ayurvedic guide to herbal medicine (2nd edition). Lotus Press. 

Groves, M. (2016). Body into balance: An herbal guide to holistic self-care. Storey Publishing.