Fighting Acne With The Best Essential Oils For Acne
You are not the only one whose face curls up in jealousy when you see beautiful celebrities and models on TV and magazines. The way their faces shine out without any acne poking its ugly head is something you desire. You have tried almost everything – invested in chemical treatments, prescription, facial wash, scrubbing – everything possible. They only clear up for a while and then show up again, In fact, it seems to worsen as the days pass by.
Causes And Effects Of Acne: How Does Acne Work?
Millions of people – adolescents, young adults, males, and females – are battling this skin condition and daily seek a lasting solution. Acne can show up anywhere on the skin, mostly shoulders, face, neck, chest or back in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and greasy skin. It is normally caused by sebum; the natural oil produced by our skin, and is usually excessive during adolescence. This oil prevents our skin from drying out. Normally, the hair follicles on our skin are supposed to stay clean and free. The problem is that the excess oil blocks these follicles, causing dead skin cells and acne. The blocked follicles become swollen from four abnormal processes: excess production of sebum (influenced by androgens), causing excessive deposits of the protein keratin. This, in turn, leads to comedone formation and the growth of a bacterium, Propionibacterium. All these may be a result of diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, unhealthy lifestyle or genetics.
Whatever the underlying cause, acne sometimes leaves people with anxiety, low self-esteem and other psychological disorders like depression and sleeping disorders. The scars make us uncomfortable with our skin and make us look unattractive.
The 10 Best Essential Oils To Fight Acne
You may have given up on chemical lotions and creams before coming across the use of essential oils for acne. Essential Oils have proven over the years to be a worthy natural treatment for many health conditions. The use of essential oil for acne treatment is a preferred alternative to many chemical prescriptions in the market that come with various side effects. They also offer a more natural and lasting solution to acne. It is important that you start treating the acne as soon as possible to prevent permanent scars. The following are the best Essential Oils for Acne treatment.
Lavender Oil
For a lasting solution to the pangs of acne, and soothing effects, lavender oil is a natural oil for acne to get. The usage of lavender is not far-fetched. It has potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that make it nourishing to the skin, reduce dark spots and scars caused by acne. Lavender oil helps to relieve stress, works as an excellent sleeping aid, and helps to keep the skin and body radiant.
You can use Lavender oil with your body cream or moisturizer, or dilute with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil. Dab the oil over the affected areas at least twice a day. You can also inhale the oil.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil is known to possess interesting therapeutic properties like antimicrobial, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is one of the best essential oils for pimples. These properties help prevent acne breakouts before they worsen. It also reduces the number of lesions.
You can use Tea Tree oil raw by dabbing the oil on cotton wool and applying directly on the affected. In cases of sensitive skin, I would recommend that you dilute 3 drops of the oil with a teaspoonful of carrier oil, so it does not irritate your skin. You can also use with a moisturizer.
Juniper Berry Oil
Juniper berry is one of the most popular natural oils for acne. It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that help to clear skin acne and nourish the skin. It detoxifies the skin and keeps the skin follicles clear of blockage.
Juniper Berry Oil can be used topically by dabbing 2-3 drops of the affected area. You should dilute the oil with a carrier oil if you have sensitive skin.
Bergamot Oil
You will find the citrus scent of the bergamot particularly alluring. It revitalizes the skin and also contains antibacterial properties that help to curb acne activities, reduce blemishes and is an oil for dark spots on the skin.
Bergamot oil can be used alone or blended with other essential oils. Use the Oil with a suitable carrier oil like coconut, olive or jojoba oil and apply over the affected area.
Oregano Oil
Oregano Oil is more than just a flavoring item for your kitchen. It contains a high percentage of organic compound known as phenol, and hence its strong disinfectant properties. Oregano Oil is an excellent essential oil for pimples and getting a clear skin. It also has antibacterial properties and is an essential oil for treating zits.
Oregano Oil is toxic and can cause severe skin irritations if used undiluted. Ensure that you dilute the oil with a carrier oil before usage. Simply dab the mixture over the affected area until you get the clear skin you desire.
Rosemary Oil
Although a flavor for cooking, Rosemary Oil has also made its rounds in skin care. It helps to nourish the skin and reduces the excess oil on the skin. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that cater for acne breakouts by reducing the redness. This oil is a great addition to your beauty products.
You can use rosemary oil with a moisturizer, cleanser or scrub, and dab it regularly on the affected area to get a clearer, firm and toned skin.
Lemongrass Oil
Gotten by distilling the steam of the leaves and stems of lemongrass, lemongrass oil for acne contains vitamins that nourish the skin. The vitamin A in lemongrass oil helps to repair dead skin cells, and the vitamin E (also used in beauty creams) helps to lighten dark spots and clear blemishes.
Clary Sage Oil
The presence of linalyl acetate, an important ester, in clary sage oil gives it its anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to reduce skin inflammations and works efficiently against acne. It also helps to regulate the excess production of oil that leads to acne. Clary Sage has antibacterial properties that prevent the formation of the bacteria that causes breakouts, reduce stress and hormonal imbalance.
You can apply the Oil directly on the affected area with cotton wool or dilute in a suitable carrier oil.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil may be an essential item in religious ceremonies, but its healing and rejuvenating powers are undeniable. It is one of the best essential oils for zits. Frankincense oil is suitable for every skin type. It will refresh your skin and prevent future breakout of acne.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile Oil is an essential oil for zit. It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the irritation caused by acne breakout. It is soothing to the skin and works efficiently in clearing spots and blemishes caused by acne scars.
Apply the oil regularly to achieve a clearer and refreshed skin.
Other recommended oils to try are Doterra oils for acne, Rosehip oil for dark spots,
Essential Oil Recipes for Acne
1. Facial Wash
This can help rejuvenate your skin, suppress the development of acne and clear blemishes. This face wash will help keep your skin clean and refreshed and hydrated, preventing the development of acne bacteria.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 20 drops tea tree oil
- 2 capsules of live probiotics
Mix the above ingredients and blend them together. Afterward, store in a bottle and keep away from sunlight.
Recipe 2: Essential Oils for Acne Treatment Blend
- 30 drops of lemon essential oil
- 20 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 30 drops of Tea Tree Oil
Mix the oils that help acne together and pour in a glass bottle. Store it away from sunlight.
How to Use These Essential Oil Recipes for Acne treatment blend
Facial Steaming: You can do this by putting a few drops of essential oil blend into a bowl of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and bend over the bowl. The steam hitting your face will keep your skin refreshed.
Facial Massage Oil
- For this, you will need 20 drops of the blend and 125ml of jojoba oil.
- Mix these together with a facial massage oil that will help get rid of your acne.
Facial Scrub
- 20 drops of your essential oil blend
- 1 teaspoonful of spice e.g. turmeric or cinnamon powder.
- 1 teaspoonful of dry ground herb. E.g. Witch hazel, lemon grass, lavender flower or rose flower petals.
- 125ml of carrier oil, e.g. Almond or Jojoba oil.
- 250ml of oatmeal (finely ground)
Mix the ingredients together and pour in a jar, tightly covered. For use, rub the blend on your face, avoiding your eyes. Wash away with warm water after 20-30 minutes.
I will not advice you use this scrub if you have inflamed acne lesions.
Facial Toner
- You can use the blend as a toner by mixing 20 drops with 100ml of distilled water.
Aromatherapy bath
- You can also mix 12 drops of the blend with your warm bath water to get a refreshing bath and relief from acne.
Precautions
- The blends you create must be stored away from sunlight to retain its potency. Light reduces the therapeutic effects of essential Oils.
- Seek medical advice before usage if you have health conditions or allergies.
- Some essential oils (citrus based) are photosensitive and may cause skin irritation if you go under the sun after using them. Preferably, you should use in the night before going to bed.
- Pregnant women are advised to stay away from essential oils
- The use of the same essential oil for acne for more than 3 months may make your body become sensitive to it.
In Conclusion
The use of Essential oils for acne treatment will prove to be the most efficient natural remedy you have ever used. If you are already using essential oils for other conditions like Snoring, Toenail Fungus, Headaches and Migraines or others, you may already know the oil that works best for you. Just make sure you observe safe and proper usage, and you are good to go. When the acne clears, continuous usage of essential oils will keep your skin refreshed and reinvigorated. It is not just about acne; essential oils will help relieve stress, enhance your mood and keep your skin beautiful and healthy.