Certain scents have the power to freeze time. I notice it most in summer—cut grass, coconut, salt, and, of course, the floral notes wafting from the garden. Geranium will always remind me of my mom. 

I feel like we don’t talk about how big a role our sense of smell plays in our lives. Imagine sitting down (on a comfy chair), listening to music, and staring at a mouthwatering meal on beautiful plates. You can’t fully enjoy the meal if you are congested. All of our senses work together to paint the picture of our whole. 

I’ve always had a sensitive sniffer, and I’ve found that I respond well to aromatherapy. Specific scents can evoke a mood, a feeling, or a memory quite easily for me. I’ve found benefits to incorporating essential oils and aromatherapy into my decor and self-care routines. 

There are so many essential oils available these days, but I’ve been using Aura Cacia for years (How to Create a Tranquil Yoga Space at Home, Wit & Delight’s Latest Obsession with Essential Oils, What Happens When You Dedicate 21 Days to Self-Care?). Aura Cacia travels the world to intentionally and sustainably source their essential oils, ensuring they are of the highest quality. 

There are so many ways to easily incorporate essential oils into your self-care routine. Here are a few ways I use essential oils from Aura Cacia:

Mist on my face and body: Hydrosols contain the aromatic water solutions that remain after the distillation process to extract essential oils. I use Geranium in the morning (or any time I need a little pick-me-up). I’ve got Rose next to my computer for a midday spritz. 

Enhance a massage: Add a few drops of Lavender to coconut oil for a relaxing and aromatic foot massage. 

Invigorate any laundry routine: Add a few drops of Tea Tree to your dryer balls to give your laundry a fresh scent. 

Boost self-care practices: I’m working with a therapist who has recommended aromatherapy when I feel out of control and need to ground myself. Aura Cacia Roll-Ons are safe to use externally and glide on easily without a greasy residue. Slide the roller onto your skin wherever you’d like a bit of aroma or apply at your pulse points. I find that Lavender helps me feel calm and grounded, while the Tea Tree Purifying Roll-On blend rubbed onto my temples aids with stress or helps if I’m in need of a refresher.

Create a signature scent for a room: Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil to unscented candles to create a unique fragrant space. Some of my favorites pairings include: 

• Bergamot + Rose Geranium = a clean floral scent
• Peppermint + Sweet Orange = an invigorating and cooling citrus scent
• Ylang-ylang + Black Pepper = a complex earthy scent 

Spray my closet: Joe is an AVID sneaker collector, and I like to use Rose Hydrosols to ensure the closet and my clothing smell like something other than feet. Since hydrosols are composed primarily out of water, you don’t have to worry about oil damaging clothing or fabric. I also lightly spray guest towels and sheets before guests come over (or if I’m feeling fancy with my own linens).

Neutralize smelly spots: Place a few drops of Lemon essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your trash can. The lemon will help neutralize the trash odors.

Use Code DELIGHT20 for 20% off your next purchase at Aura Cacia.

Editor’s Note: This post was sponsored by Aura Cacia. The compensation we receive in exchange for placement on Wit & Delight is used to purchase props, hire a photographer, write/edit the blog post, and support the larger team behind Wit & Delight.

While compensation was received in exchange for coverage, all thoughts and opinions are always my own. Sponsored posts like these allow us to continue to develop dynamic unsponsored content. Thank you for supporting our partners!

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.