Fighting with breakouts, pimples, acne or blackheads? Essential oils can help with that. Tea tree oil, lavender, rosemary, thyme, Oregano, lemon, eucalyptus and Juniper- essential oils, just to mention a few can be a natural, easy way to soothe your acne. Most of the essential oils have anti-inflammation, antibacterial properties, which makes them a good product for acne.
Acne is a common skin condition that many suffer from all over the world, especially young adults. Over 70% of young adults suffer from acne at some point. As you age, the occurrence of acne tends to lessen, but it is still prevalent among older individuals. If you have ever had acne, you are among the many that looked for solutions everywhere. While there isn't a cure, there are ways to curb its occurrence. We will be examining one of the most underutilized treatment options for acne which is using essential oils.
Essential Oils and Acne
Why Essential Oils For Acne Treatment?
Essential oils are excellent for treating acne because they can be very beneficial not only for your skin but also stress hormones that can effectively trigger a breakout or the worsening of the condition in certain people. A primary cause of acne is the clogging of skin pores by excess oil and bacteria. Other factors that can induce breakouts are stress to hormonal changes. These oils have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities and can heal many skin conditions along with acne. Many essential oils can help reduce the occurrences of acne.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are chemicals extracted with steam from different parts of a plant, which include: the stems, roots, leaves, seeds, and flowers. Plant extracts have been used widely in traditional folk medicine. They have also been studied in modern medicine for their many benefits like killing bacteria, one of the primary causes of acne.
While many claim that these oils can help treat acne, few studies have been done to prove this. While there isn’t enough proof to recommend utilizing essential oils for acne, they’re generally safe to try, and you may see positive results. You should, however, stop using them if you get irritation or sensitivity on the skin.
What causes acne breakouts?
Acne begins when skin flakes and skin oil (sebum) block your pores. A clogged pore then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, especially Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria, which causes pimples. Applying a topical bacteria-killing agent to the surface of your skin is one way to treat acne.
Why use Essential Oils For Acne?
- They have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal attributes which kill acne-causing microbes.
- They shed dead cells and unclog blocked skin pores.
- Many have anti-inflammatory qualities and help to relieve pain and skin irritation.
- They provide essential nutrients to the skin and help remedy other skin problems.
- Essential oils can relieve stress and anxiety, fight insomnia and sleep deprivation, and balance hormonal levels which can be the main causes of acne.
What to keep in mind when using Essential Oils for Acne
1. Before you expect essential oils to clear your skin miraculously, have realistic expectations.
2. What is most important is to know that everyone has a different skin type. Your skin might not respond to a certain oil or product the way somebody else's does. Try out products yourself and don't assume that, because it worked for someone else, it will work for you.
3. Do not give up right away. If you include products with essential oils into your skincare cycle, you need to be using them consistently, daily for at least two to three months before you get results.
4. Remember, less is more when it comes to essential oils for acne. With these oils, a little goes a long way.
5. Don’t apply essential oils directly on your skin even when breakouts occur unexpectedly. Remember our bodies can not heal instantaneously. You should dilute them. If diluting them in carrier oils like olive, jojoba, or grapeseed doesn’t work for your skin, try diluting them in water. This is good for acne-prone skin that is oily. Choose pure and organic essential oils to guarantee they’re toxin-free and effective.
Top Essential Oils For Acne
A list of essential oils that treat acne
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great natural treatment. It contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties that work together to reduce acne inflammation. It kills acne-causing bacteria and prevents acne. It unclogs pores and exfoliates the dead cells and dirt.
Tea Tree Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 50 ml witch hazel and 15 drops tea tree essential oil
Simply mix tea tree oil with witch hazel and apply the concoction to the affected areas of the skin using a cotton ball twice a day. You can leave it on for several hours, or as long as overnight. Store it in a glass bottle.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil can help treat acne because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a circulatory stimulant. Its mild astringent-like property helps in clearing out the clogged pores, and this is most of the time the primary cause of acne breakout. The oil increases blood flow to the skin because it is a circulatory stimulant. The increased blood flow brings much-needed nutrients to the cells along with oxygen. This means healthier skin cells and a radiant, glowing complexion.
Lavender Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 10 drops lavender essential oil and 15 ml rosehip oil
Using a funnel, pour the rosehip oil into the bottle and carefully add the lavender oil. Shake well and apply the serum to your cleansed skin twice a day. Store it in a dark colored glass bottle.
Rosemary Oil
This oil has powerful antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities that all work to fight off acne and prevent more. Its antiseptic properties kill off acne-causing germs and also make it a great solution for popped pimple wounds. It gently detoxes congested skin by purifying it from deep within the pores and driving out stale sebum, dead cells, dirt, grime, contaminants, germs, and other impurities.
Rosemary Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 7 drops rosemary essential oil and 15 ml jojoba essential oil
With a funnel, pour jojoba oil into the bottle and carefully add in the rosemary oil. Shake well and apply it to your cleansed skin twice a day. Store it in a dark colored glass bottle.
Thyme Essential Oil
A lot of people suffering from acne have become very interested in thyme oil as a topical treatment. A study shows that thyme oil is an absolute treat when it comes to killing acne bacteria. Scientists tested the antibacterial effect different essential oils, and the most effective oils were: cinnamon, rose, and thyme. The other oils killed p.acne bacteria at only tiny concentrations. A solution of 0.25% thyme oil killed all the p.acnes in just five minutes.
Thyme Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 50 ml rose hydrosol and 12 drops thyme essential oil
Mix thyme oil with rose hydrosol and apply the concoction to the affected areas of the skin using a cotton ball 2-3 times a day. You can leave it on for several hours, or as long as overnight. Store it in a glass bottle.
Oregano Essential Oil
The powerful phenols have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal properties. Oregano oil possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which prevent inflammation and kill acne-causing bacteria. Topical application of a diluted form of this oil is known to treat skin infections, itches, and irritations.
Oregano Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 8 drops oregano essential oil and 15 ml safflower oil
Using a funnel, pour safflower oil into the bottle and carefully add in the oregano oil. Shake well and apply the concoction to your cleansed skin twice a day. Store in a dark colored glass bottle.
Juniper Berry Oil
Juniper berry oil is great for detoxifying the skin. It has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial abilities, which are a natural remedy for fighting skin irritations, acne, rashes, and infections. It also has mild astringent properties, meaning it is a wonderful remedy for acne and supports your beautiful skin. Its detoxifying properties assist you to clear the toxins that cause acne.
Juniper Berry Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 2-3 drops of juniper berry oil and Aloe vera gel
Extract aloe vera gel fresh from the plant and add the juniper berry essential oil and mix well. Use the anti-acne pack on your face and leave it on overnight. You can use it once or twice a day (not more than that).
Clary Sage Essential Oil
A natural ingredient in clary sage reduces skin inflammation and serves as a natural solution for acne and skin irritations. It also controls the production of oil on the skin, a factor that is often associated with breakouts. Clary sage not only halts the growth and spread of bacteria, but also alleviates feelings of stress and anxiety, and supports hormonal balance.
Clary Sage Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 30 ml rose hydrosol and 10 drops clary sage essential oil
Simply mix clary sage oil with rose hydrosol and apply the concoction to the affected areas of the skin using a cotton ball twice a day. You can leave it on for several hours, or as long as overnight. Store it in a glass bottle.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is a strong combatant of acne. It’s been shown to stop the growth of many strains of bacteria including P. acnes. It can decrease the amount of sebum produced by reducing the size of sebaceous glands. This plays a big part in controlling acne. It heals scars and also prevents future acne.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 3 tablespoon aloe vera gel and 7 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Mix the ingredients and store it in a glass container. Apply it twice on your cleansed face as a daily moisturizer.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which fight bacteria-causing acne and avoiding future acne. The astringent properties of lemon oil shrink and constrict excess oil and dirt from the pores. It has vitamin C which reduces the appearance of dark spots and other types of sun damage. It helps to fade post-breakout red marks by improving skin’s natural healing response. The citric acid of lemon oil which acts as a chemical exfoliant which removes the dead cells and has an acidic property that eliminates excess oil.
Lemon Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 8 drops lemon essential oil and 15 ml calendula oil
Using a funnel, pour calendula oil in the bottle and add lemon oil. Shake well and apply the serum to your cleansed skin twice a day. Store it in a dark colored glass bottle.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense has astringent qualities that make it ideal for use on the face. It dries out pimples, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and tightens the skin. It helps with wound healing and may decrease the appearance of scars. It also helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots caused by acne blemishes and eczema. It helps to promote the growth of new cells, keep your skin elastic and firm and also helps reducing age spots.
Frankincense Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 4 drops frankincense essential oil, 4 drops tea tree essential oil, and 15 ml rosehip oil
Using a funnel, pour rosehip oil in the bottle and carefully add frankincense and tea tree oil. Shake well and apply the serum to your cleansed skin twice a day. Store it in a dark colored glass bottle.
Rose Essential Oil
It is very helpful in driving away depression, stress, and anxiety which is the main reason for premature aging and acne. Rose essential oil is one of the best essential oils for dry skin. It helps keep your skin moist and is great to use as a moisturizer for your face. Due to its antioxidant property, it makes the scars, wrinkles, dark spots and after marks of boils, and acne on the skin fade quickly. It also offers antiseptic properties to treat acne, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that help treat redness and inflammation.
Rose Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Ingredients: 30 ml witch hazel and 15 drops rose essential oil
Simply mix rose oil with witch hazel and apply the mixture to the affected areas of the skin using a cotton ball twice a day as a face toner. You can leave it on for several hours, or as long as overnight. Store it in a glass bottle.
