Many people dismiss acne as a ‘rite of passage’. You enter your teens and it seems like acne appears almost overnight.
While it may be a rite of passage…kinda… it makes its appearance at the worst possible time. You are already struggling with managing those complex hormonal changes. Acne adds to that feeling of anxiety and unease.
Also, as you enter your teens, you are more conscious than ever about your complexion and skin health. Having acne can make you self-conscious and can even affect your self-esteem.
While there is no absolute cure for acne, using essential oils for acne can help reduce the severity of acne flare-ups.
What is Acne? What Causes It?
Acne occurs when the oil glands clog the skin’s pores. In turn, those clogged pores then become inflamed and the result is a breakout of acne.
The reason acne makes its appearance during the teenage years is because hormonal changes usually cause the oil glands to be over-active. This extra oil then clogs the pores of the skin. Severe acne can lead to the development of scars.
Why Use Essential Oils for Acne?
Over the counter solutions and prescription medications can have both topical as well as other side effects. The ingredients in topical solutions can either damage the skin or they don’t deliver on the promise to clear the acne.
In addition to dealing effectively with acne, essential oils are also easier on the skin. They won’t dry it out or leave you feeling like you’ve had a chemical burn.
Over-the-counter treatments don’t get to the root of the problem. They treat the symptom – which is the acne. Essential oils, on the other hand, get to the heart of the matter – the clogged pores and skin bacteria.
Best Essential Oils for Acne
Please make sure to first read more about how to use essential oils for acne. Using them the wrong way may have adverse consequences.
Tea Tree
Tea tree is the best essential oil for acne, and I say this from first-hand experience. It takes time but it works really well to regulate oil production, reduce the flare-ups and keep the acne under control.
Tea tree has strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make it so effective for cleansing the skin. These properties also help to reduce inflammation and heal acne sores.
Juniper Berry
Juniper berry has powerful detoxifying and cleansing properties that make it one of the top essential oils for acne. This oil is known to lessen the effects of blemishes. It can also reduce inflammation and heal redness and swelling associated with acne.
Because it has antibacterial ingredients, it helps to cleanse the skin with use to diminish future outbreaks.
Lavender
Lavender oil is great for supporting the skin and reducing different types of skin conditions including acne. It contains bacteria fighting agents to help keep the skin clear and it also won’t dry out your skin.
Lavender works to combat acne through several different mechanisms. It kills bacteria, promotes new skin cell growth, prevents scarring, and soothes the pain.
Another way that lavender essential oil helps combat acne is by reducing stress levels. Have you noticed that you experience more bouts of acne during times when your stress level is higher? Lavender essential oil is a known stress reliever. Diffusing lavender oil in your room helps reduce stress levels, which helps with the control of outbreaks.
Clary Sage
Clary sage essential oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, both of which work together to combat acne, soothe the skin and heal inflammations.
But what clary sage does that offers more help for those struggling with acne is that it works to stop the overproduction of oil, which is a known cause of acne.
How to Use Essential Oils for Acne
When using essential oils for acne, there are a few basic things you must keep in mind so that you get the benefits without the adverse effects.
Essential oils are very potent and should generally not be used on the skin directly. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin. When used on the skin directly, it could cause mild or even severe irritation.
However, when using essential oils for acne, you may need to apply the oil directly to the acne-affected areas for it to be effective. Before doing this, always, always do a patch test first.
To do a patch test, put a drop of the essential oil on a Q-tip and apply gently to the inside of your wrist. Wait and see if the skin reacts. If the skin turns red and itchy, you should definitely avoid using that oil on your face. In this case, you may want to try one of the essential oil recipes for acne below. They contain a carrier oil and other ingredients that dilute the essential oil so that it is gentler on the skin.
If the patch test is successful, it still does not mean you can apply your preferred essential oil for acne liberally over your skin. To combat your acne, put a drop of the essential oil on a Q-Tip and gently dab over the acne.
After you’ve applied the essential oil over the acne, leave your skin alone. It’s tempting to want to keep checking your face or touching the acne – don’t! Touching the acne constantly will only irritate the skin further and make a bad situation worse.
Things to Keep In Mind When Using Essential Oils for Acne
Your skin will not look smooth and clear overnight when you use essential oils for acne. It takes time for essential oils to do their job and combat acne. Whichever oil you choose to use, be patient and give it the time it needs to work.
While you may see positive results fairly quickly in the case of mild acne, you may have to wait much longer for more severe breakouts. Hang in there. Using essential oils along with other natural remedies for acne will help reduce those nasty marks and clear your skin.
Acne-Clean Body Wash with Tea Tree & Lavender Essential Oil
Many essential oils support skin health by reducing the amount of oil produced by the skin, which can lead to issues like acne. With its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, astringent, antiviral, and disinfectant properties, tea tree oil helps cleanse the skin and remove the grime, bacteria, and oil buildup that contributes to unhealthy skin conditions.
When combined with lavender, the couple’s complementary properties and scents work towards healthier, softer, cleaner skin.
This Acne-Clean Body Wash soothes skin inflammation and actively combats acne flare-ups.
Ingredients Acne-Clean Body Wash
- 20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- ¼ cup Honey
- 2/3 cup organic, unscented Liquid Castile Soap
- 2 tsps Sweet Almond Oil
- 1 tsp Vitamin E
Directions
Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat.
When it is smooth and evenly melted, remove from heat.
Whisk in the honey, vitamin E, and essential oils, stirring until well blended.
Slowly introduce the castile soap. Do this slowly as the suds will build up if you add too quickly.
Pour the body wash into a glass bottle. Cap and shake well.
Your body wash is ready to go. Shake well before use.
Use as you would any other body wash.
Notes
You can use olive oil instead sweet almond oil.
The body wash will separate as it sits. Shake it regularly to ensure that the ingredients are well blended.
Tea Tree & Rosehip Oil Acne Treatment Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil
- 2 Tablespoons rosehip carrier oil
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
Directions
Stir all ingredients together.
Apply gently to acne-affected areas.
Let sit for about 10 minutes.
Remove using warm water and a wash cloth.
Gently pat face dry.
Store remaining ingredients in a glass jar with lid in the refrigerator.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
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