Essential Oils for Acne: Using Aromatherapy for Clear Skin

Over the counter and prescription acne treatments often contain chemicals that many people do not wish to use. Instead, these people search for home treatments for acne. Essential oils have been an excellent option to help treat & clear acne. There are many home treatments for acne that actually do work. Here are some things you can try.

Common Essential Oils To Treat Acne

Tea tree oil contains antifungal and antibacterial characteristics, and has been used as an antimicrobial agent and to treat acne-prone skin for many years. A study with over 100 participants published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that a 5% tea tree oil gel was just as effective in treating acne as a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion. Tea tree oil cleared acne more slowly than other oils, but it had less negative effects.

Sandalwood essential oil has been demonstrated to suppress the growth of a bacteria that is usually associated with acne. Farnesol, a particular component of sandalwood essential oil, is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Farnesol is also found in jasmine, palmarosa, and ylang ylang essential oils. These essential oils may also have anti-acne properties.

Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil are also options to assist with clear skin. For sensitive skin, dilute the oil with grapeseed oil. Apply the oil before going to bed at night, then wash it away in the morning with a pure soap, such as Ivory, and clean water.

Make your own aromatherapy acne wash by adding up to 5% of the essential oils mentioned above to unscented face or body wash. For an aromatherapy acne gel, use pure aloe vera gel as a base, and add up to 5% of the essential oils mentioned above.

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Make sure essential oils don’t go into or near your eyes. Also, because tea tree oil is included in so many items, the risk of sensitization is higher. Because it’s possible to become sensitized to specific essential oils, it’s best to alternate between them rather than using the same ones all the time.