The Best Essential Oils For Acne Treatment

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Are you struggling with acne and seeking for alternative to drug store acne treatment products like retinol? Then you’re definitely on the right page. It’s interesting to bring to your awareness that you can actually use essential oils to shrink acne and get rid of them for good.

And you know what? This article entails all the information you need including the list of the best essential oils for acne treatment.

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What Leads To The Occurrence Of Acne?

Acne occurs when their is a congestion of dead skin cells and sebum (oil) trapped in the pores. Due to the accumulation, the pores get clogged which leads to breakouts. Although other factors, such as hormones, diet, stress and certain medications, such as corticosteroids, androgens, birth control pills and lithium, can also worsen or lead to the occurrence of acne.

Why Use Essential Oils For Acne?

Essential Oils are concentrated and potent, they contain anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties which makes them effective towards treating acne and other skin inflammatory, bacterial and fungal issues.

Which is why essential oils are included into some acne skincare products to fight zits and calm irritations. Infact essential oils are backbone of so many skincare products today, (including acne skincare products), so by using them in their pure form you can enjoy their full benefits without addictives or harmful chemicals which can trigger irritations.

So,……What Are The Best Essential Oils For Acne?

According to  Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and author of the book Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist”. The best essential oils for acne are oils that contains anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Which help your skin produce less pore-clogging sebum, kills acne causing bacteria, calms reddness and irritations. “There are some facial oils that can actually help your skin produce less pore-clogging sebum. These facial oils contain ingredients that can kill acne-causing bacteria and help slough off dead skin cells”.

Caution.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and aren’t advised to be used directly on the skin. Be sure to dilute the oils in a carrier oil (such as coconut or almond oil). This is because when used at their full strength (undiluted), they can possibly cause burns, scarring, or irritation.

Below Are The Best Essential Oils For Acne Treatment.

1. Tea Tree Essential Oil

When it comes to best essential oils for acne treatment, Tea tree oil is one of them. This oil has been used for centuries to soothe inflammation and calm down irritations which addresses the issue of acne. In fact, one study with 124 participants found tea tree oil to be just as effective in treating acne as benzoyl peroxide, stating those treated with tea tree experienced “fewer side effects”.

As a traditional medicine this native oil which is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia in Australia is the power house of anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which shrinks acne by killing acne causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) and any other bacteria which can trigger breakouts.

It also helps repair skin damage as it can treat minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, as well as gently sooth and cleanse skin.

Handcraft Blends Tea Tree Essential Oil.

Best Essential Oils For Skin Brightening & Glowing.

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Handcraft has wide range of quality essential oils, which their tea tree essential oil is one of them. Contains no fillers, additives, undiluted & FDA approved.

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free.
  • High Potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
    FDA approved.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • None.

Ingredients:

Unrefined pure tea tree essential oil.

2. Lemongrass Essential Oil.

Lemongrass essential oil possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties Including vitamins like vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folate and vitamin C.

This powerful essential oil which is derived from the steam distillation of the fresh or partly dried Lemongrass leaves unclogs and cleanses the skin pores, kills acne causing bacteria thereby destroying and shrinking existing pimples.

Not only that…., This oil (in its pure form) also has the potentials to brighten and rejuvenate the skin, which can address the issue of hyperpigmentation (which may have occurred due to acne scars).
Lemongrass essential oil also strengthens hair follicles and reduce dandruff and scalp irritation and itchiness.

Handcraft Blends Lemongrass Essential Oil.

Best Essential Oils For acne treatment

Check Amazon For Best Price

Another handcraft blends brand. A premium therapeutic lemongrass essential oil grade with premium glass dropper. Pure, natural & FDA approved.

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free.
  • High Potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
    FDA approved.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • None.

Ingredients.

Unrefined pure lemongrass essential oil.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil.

Asides scenting fantastic, this essential oil houses powerful antimicrobial properties which kills not only acne causing bacteria but any other bacteria which can cause skin breakouts or irritations. Peppermint essential oil has been applied both cosmetically and medicinally for thousands of years, and records of its use can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt.

Asides being a powerful acne treatable and preventable oil. This oil which is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh or partly dried peppermint plant can also soothe inflammation and irritation due to its cooling effect. “Peppermint oil naturally cleanses the skin and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It has a cooling effect which soothes irritation and inflammation due to acne,” said Dr. Debra Jaliman.

Peppermint oil also helps improves hair health, due to its Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, it can soothe hair itchiness, relieve dryness and get rid of dandruff.

“Peppermint oil is great for your hair and scalp. It helps with dryness or itching. It helps with dandruff because it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps strengthen hair roots which will help with hair loss,” said  Stephanie Brown, master hair colorist at the Eddie Arthur Salon in New York City.

Handcraft Peppermint Essential Oil – 100% Pure.

Best essential oils for acne

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A premium therapeutic peppermint essential oil grade with premium glass dropper. Pure, natural & FDA approved.

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free.
  • High Potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
  • FDA approved.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • None.

Ingredients:

Unrefined, pure peppermint essential oil.

4. Lavender Essential Oil.

Is your pimples extremely reddish and painful? Then you need lavender essential oil. This antimicrobial gentle essential oil which comes from lavender plant through steam distillation not only banishes acne but also soothes inflammation and calms painful cysts by helping them gradually surface without irritating the rest of your skin.

Lavender essential oil potentials also extends to brightening skintone, lessen the appearance of wrinkles fine lines and improve overall skin texture.

Handcraft Blends Lavender Essential Oil.

Best Essential Oils For acne.

Check Amazon For Best Price

Here’s another Handcraft Blends Premium quality therapeutic lavender essential oil grade with premium glass dropper. Pure, natural & FDA approved.

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free
  • High Potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
  • FDA approved.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • None.

Ingredients:

Unrefined pure Lavender essential oil.

5. Sandalwood Essential Oil.

The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in sandalwood essential oil won’t let acne raise a head when applied as preventable measures. It also put an end to existing pimples, blackheads and sooths any form of irritations and redness including sun burn and tan due its cooling effect.

Sandalwood essential oil which comes from East Indian sandalwood tree also acts as an Astringent, it causes coagulation of skin proteins, further protecting your skin from any breakouts, allergies or abrasions. It brings about minor contractions in your soft tissues of the skin and tightens your pores.

Sandalwood essential oil also offers anti-aging benefits by fading wrinkles, fine lines and brightening skin complexion.

Gya Labs Sandalwood Essential Oil.

A therapeutic grade 100% pure sandalwood oil, to shrink acne, get rid of blackheads, soothes irritations, lessen breakouts, aging signs and improve overall skin complexion and texture.

Best Essential Oils For acne

Check Amazon For Best Price

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free
  • High potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • Comes in a small size.

Ingredients:

Unrefined pure Sandalwood essential oil

6. Rosemary Essential Oil.

Rosemary essential oil which is extracted through steam distillation of the plant’s flowering tops and leaves clears pores and balances oil production, it’s antimicrobial  and anti-inflammatory properties decongest the skin of acne by killing acne causing bacteria and other type of bacteria in the skin.

This oil also hydrates the skin, helps control oil production, lessens the appearance of aging signs, addresses the issue of eczema due to its antiseptic properties and improves overall skin texture and complexion.

Maple Holistics 100% Pure Rosemary Essential Oil.

Best essential oils for acne

Check Amazon For Best Price

A premium high quality Therapeutic
grade 100% pure rosemary essential oil.

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free
  • High potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • None.

Ingredients:

Unrefined pure Rosemary essential oil.

7. Cinnamon Essential Oil.

Cinnamon essential oil is extracted from the bark of cinnamon through steam distillation.
This oil contains many compounds which are beneficial for both skin and health. One of the compound includes cinnamaldehyde, which has been found to reduce inflammation and act as an antimicrobial which address the issue of acne and alleviates the skin of irritation and breakouts.

Gya Labs Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil.

Best essential oils for acne

Check Amazon For Best Price

A quality, pure, unrefined, and undiluted Therapeutic Grade Aromatherapy Cinnamon essential oil for both diffuser and topical Use.

Pros

  • Cruelty-Free
  • High potency.
  • 100% Pure & Premium Therapeutic Grade.
  • Does not contain parabens, hexanes, additives, preservatives.

Cons

  • Comes in small size.

Ingredients:

Unrefined pure Cinnamon essential oil.

How To Properly Dilute Essential Oils.

For adults:

  • 2.5 percent dilution: 15 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil.
  • 3 percent dilution: 20 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil.
  • 5 percent dilution: 30 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil.
  • 10 percent dilution: 60 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil.

For children:

  • 5 to 1 percent dilution: 3 to 6 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil.

You can as well add few drops (about 6-7 drops) into your facial moisturizer, toner and also facial cleanser to facilitate the treatment of acne.

After the dilution with carrier oil, you can store the mixture in a amber glass bottle (dark bottle) with a dropper to make it convenient to use.

Usage

You can apply your diluted essential oil using a cotton ball or pad gently apply or dab the mixture around the affected area.

Fun Facts

Do you know you can as well combine multiple essential oils together towards treating acne? Sounds suprising? All you need to do is combine 2-3 preferred essential and ensure they are diluted using the dilution method stated above.

Example: We happen to choose Tea tree oil, Lemongrass oil, and sandalwood oil.

To get a 5 percent dilution (using dilution method stated above)

  • 10 drops tea tree essential oil.
  • 10 drops lemongrass essential oil.
  • 10 drops sandalwood essential oil.
    To be diluted in 6 teaspoons carrier oil. Then store in a amber glass bottle.

Possible Questions And Answers.

Q: Why must essential oils be diluted before applying on skin?

A: Due to mechanical extraction (steam distillation), they are highly concentrated which may cause irritations to the skin when applied directly or undiluted.

Q: Does Diluting essential oil makes it loose its potency?

A: No. diluting essential with carrier oils or in creams doesn’t make it loose its potency. Rather you’re taking precautionary measures not to get your skin irritated.

Q: Does essential oil go bad or expires?

A: 100% pure and undiluted essential oils do not expire. They have antibacterial and antiviral properties and do not contain water. Hence, they don’t grow mildew, mold, or yeast.
The occurrence of going bad or turning rancid starts once they interact with outside properties such as heat and light.

Q: How do i properly store essential oils?

A: Always store essential oils in a cool, dark place, preferably in the refrigerator. You should also keep them in a dark glass bottle to avoid the penetration of direct sunlight. Also ensure the lid is tightly closed after usage.

Whatever you do, keep essential oils and other skincare products away from direct sunlight and tightly closed after usage.

Q: Can pregnant women use essential oils?

A: Not all essential oils can be used during pregnancy. While some essential oils are safe for pregnant women some aren’t.

According to Dr. Milosavljevic “Some essential oils that can be safely used during pregnancy are lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang. These are calming or down-regulating oils that can have a relaxing effect on the body.”

There is evidence to suggest that some oils, namely cinnamon, clove, rosemary, clary sage, and jasmine, can cause uterine contractions resulting in miscarriage or preterm labor.

However it’s advised to avoid all essential oils until your 2nd trimester. Many experts suggest avoiding essential oils altogether during that critical first 13 weeks of pregnancy, as there’s some risk (however small) that they could cause uterine contractions that may adversely affect the baby.

“Once you’ve crossed into the second and third trimesters, however, certain essential oils can provide relief from many pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, swollen ankles, and stretch mark”, says Dr. Nada Milosavljevic, founder and director of the Integrative Health Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and creator of SageTonic.

Also Read: Best Essential Oils For Skin Brightening & Glowing.

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