Don't under-­estimate the ­therapeutic potential of essential oils, in fragrance and skincare, aromatherapy can boost the mind and body with an olfactory treat.

Lavender, jasmine, chamomile and peppermint can all ease stress and anxiety, while lemon can be uplifting and mood enhancing. All you need to do is find the right essential oils for you.

Kick-start your day with the reviving fragrances in the Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas range. The essential oils in the Bergamot and Ginger Shower Gel, £8.50, gently cleanses while stimulating circulation, toning, uplifting and reviving.

Light a few candles and treat yourself to a spa treatment at home with the Clarins Aroma Body Care range. To restore vitality and detoxify the toning products contain a powerful combination of mint, rosemary, rosewood and geranium essential oils. To ease stress and fatigue and restore serenity the relaxing collection contains camomile, basil and geranium essential oils.

Hazelnut oil and shea butter make the Tonic Body Polisher, £31, beautifully soft on the skin, with sea salt and white sugar to delicately remove dead skin cells. Use it all over the body a couple of times a week and at this time of year target areas prone to poor circulation, such as thighs and upper arms, ahead of going out in the sun.

Meanwhile, the Tonic Body Balm, £30, melts into the skin with apple seed oil to nourish and add moisture and ginseng extract to increase the skin's firmness.

The new Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Massage & Body Oil, £41, is a soothing, therapeutic oil blended to relieve tired, strained or over-exercised muscles and leave the skin beautifully nourished. The delicate anti-inflammatory blend of arnica and lavender combined with rosemary improves circulation, while warming ginger helps ease muscular aches and pains.

At the end of a stressful day, pour a few capfuls of Weleda's Lavender Relaxing Bath Milk, £11.95, under running water. Lavender oil calms and soothes, all you need for a good night's sleep.

The Aroma Actives Omega Rich Face Oil, £14.99, is formulated to revitalise, nourish and encourage skin's natural healthy glow with a powerful blend of omega and GLA rich starflower, ximenia and skin-softening botanicals such as ylang ylang, geranium, chamomile and patchouli. After serum and before moisturiser, massage one or two drops over the face and neck, morning and night. It sinks in beautifully and leaves skin plumped and pillow soft.

Don't forget to use fragrance at home to boost the senses. Try the Molton Brown Aroma-Reeds, £39, lasting for up to four months and subtly scenting any room.

There are five scent combinations to choose from, carefully put together to enhance your mood. Orange & Bergamot has the invigorating, refreshing aromas of an Sevillian orange grove. Top notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin and blackcurrant, are blended with orange, clary sage, basil and cinnamon and a base of neroli and musk.

Relax and unwind with the tropical scent of sun-warmed woods with Ylang-Ylang, featuring ylang-ylang, bergamot and orange, with orris, cumin, cedarwood and labdanum and base notes of amber, vetiver and patchouli.

The Gingerlily has all the warmth of a Tahitian beach, with cardamom, peach, ginger and orange absolute with a heart of tuberose, plum and jasmine and a base of cedarwood, clove and musk. Pink Pepperpod is full of sultry spices with pink pepper, tangerine and elemi complementing a heart of nutmeg, labdanum and ginger finished with a base of oakmoss, patchouli and cedarwood.

And Mulberry & Thyme is a crisp scent, oozing with French elegance. Top notes of elemi and basil are blended with a heart of mimosa, clary sage and rose absolute and a base of mate and thyme absolutes.

Tried & Tested

LIVEN up tired, lank locks and beat pesky flyaway hair with Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo, £8.50, and Conditioner, £8.50. With no silicone or or nasty parabens, the products won't weigh hair down.

The shampoo lathers into creamy suds and rinses out easily.

While the conditioner leaves a wonderful fresh ­fragrance, thanks to the coconut and jojoba oils.

The hard-working ingredients in the top-rated shampoo and conditioner are wheat proteins and wheat starch, natural formulations to add body and fullness without irritative sensitive skin or scalps.

Beauty Buzz

Sufferers of sensitive skin should look at the new and improved Waitrose Pure collection, from £1.99, including a facial oil, beauty balm and face polish, containing at least 95% naturally derived ingredients, entirely fragrance free and dermatologically approved. Easily absorbed, the face oil with sweet almond oil and Vitamin E, smoothes and softens the skin. While the Beauty Balm, with shea butter and coconut, leaves skin nourished and hydrated.