Have you tried using essential oils in your skincare routine? These natural extracts offer a gentle yet effective way to care for your skin without harsh chemicals.
From rejuvenating dull skin and hydrating dry patches to calming redness, essential oils can elevate your skin care. The key is to know which essential oils to use and how use them correctly.
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Let’s take a look at creative ways to use essential oils in your skincare routine, along with tips to choose the best essential oils for your skin type.
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Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Your Skincare Routine
Using essential oils in your skincare routine isn’t just a fad – it’s a smart and easy way to harness natural ingredients for healthier skin.
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the beneficial compounds of plants, such as terpenes, phenolics, and flavonoids. These active ingredients contribute to the oils’ antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or even antimicrobial properties, making them valuable in any skincare routine.
When used correctly, the compounds in essential oils offer targeted benefits to address common skin concerns like dryness, irritation, and excess oil production.
Best Essential Oils For The Skin
These are the top essential oils for the skin-friendly properties, backed by research:
Tea Tree
Active Ingredient: Terpinen-4-ol, known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Research: A study shows that tea tree oil is effective in reducing acne-related bacteria, making it a popular choice for improving oily, blemish-prone skin.
Lavender
Active Ingredients: Linalool and linalyl acetate, which help reduce inflammation while supporting relaxation.
Research: Studies show lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, which helps calm redness and soothe minor irritation.
Rose
Active Ingredients: Citronellol and geraniol, which work to provide hydration and calm sensitivity.
Research: The components in rose essential oil have anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce redness and puffiness, according to findings.
Frankincense
Active Ingredients: Boswellic acids, which act as anti-inflammatory agents and support skin elasticity.
Research: Frankincense has been associated with improved skin firmness and texture in studies.
Chamomile
Active Ingredients: Bisabolol and chamazulene, which work to reduce redness and calm irritation.
Research: Evidence suggests chamomile is highly beneficial for sensitive or reactive skin, reducing puffiness, redness, and irritation, creating an instant sense of relief.
Before discussing the 12 creative ways to use essential oils in your skincare routine, I do want to highlight the safety issue, which is critical.
How to Use Essential Oils on Skin Safely
Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be applied to the skin without proper precautions.
These topical application guidelines will help you get the maximize benefits of essential oils for skin without the adverse effects.
Dilute essential oil with carrier oil before applying to skin
Essential oils are extremely concentrated and potent. Applying them directly to the skin can cause irritation, redness, or even burns.
Dilution with a carrier oil is the first and most important step when using essential oils on your skin.
Carrier oils such as jojoba, avocado, and sweet almond dilute the concentrated extracts, making them safer for topical application.
Using carrier oils also provides additional skin benefits. Jojoba oil mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it ideal for oily or combination skin. Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin E, which enhances hydration for dry or mature skin.
For boosted benefits, make this homemade rosemary lavender infused oil using your selected carrier oil. Then use the infusion to dilute essential oils. With this infused oil as the base, you get the benefits of rosemary, lavender, and the carrier oil.
Learn more about diluting essential oils and dilution ratios to make sure you’re using balanced blends.
Do a Patch Test
Everyone’s skin reacts differently to essential oils due to individual sensitivity.
Before slathering an essential oil blend onto your face or body, a patch test is a must. This step can save you from potential adverse reactions, especially if you’re using an oil for the first time.
To patch test, apply the diluted mixture on a small discreet area of your skin, such as your wrist or behind your ear. Monitor for 24 hours.
If there’s any redness, itching, swelling, or any irritation, that oil may not be suitable for your skin.
Invest in Quality Oils
Not all essential oils are created equal. Synthetic additives or poorly processed oils may irritate your skin or reduce effectiveness.
Look for labels that state “100% pure, therapeutic grade,” and when possible, opt for organic brands.
High-quality oils retain the integrity of the plant’s natural compounds, ensuring maximum skin benefits.
After testing a few different essential oil brands, my #1 recommendation continues to be Plant Therapy essential oils for purity, quality, and value for money.
12 Creative Ways to Use Essential Oils In Your Skincare Routine
1. Revitalize Skin with Aromatic Facial Steams
Starting your skincare session with a facial steam is a great way to prepare your skin to absorb nutrients. Adding essential oils enhances this process.
The steam opens up clogged pores and allows the oils’ beneficial properties to penetrate deeper.
For instance, eucalyptus essential oil has antimicrobial properties that refresh tired, acne-prone skin. A few drops of eucalyptus oil added to hot water releases aromatic steam that refreshes tired, dull skin. This works particularly well if your skin feels clogged from exposure to pollution or makeup.
Using chamomile essential oil in a steam session can soothe sensitive skin prone to redness—a natural complement to holistic skincare.
Eucalyptus steam inhalation is also beneficial for relieving congestion.
Pro Tip: Steam for about 5-10 minutes to prevent over-drying, and follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration.
2. Make Your Own Face Masks for Customized Skincare
Crafting face masks at home allows for a customized skincare experience, letting you target specific skin concerns.
For oily or acne-prone skin, clay masks are a popular choice. Clays, like bentonite or kaolin, absorb excess sebum and pull impurities from the skin.
Adding tea tree oil to a clay mask to reduce oily sheen and minimize breakouts. This pairing works because clay draws out excess sebum, while tea tree oil gently cleanses pores due to its antimicrobial properties.
Dry or sensitive skin can benefit from soothing masks made with oatmeal, honey, and a few drops of lavender or rose essential oils. Lavender’s natural calming effect reduces irritation while honey provides hydration.
3. Exfoliate with Nourishing Sugar Scrubs for Smoother Skin
Exfoliation removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, revealing a smoother, more radiant look. Sugar scrubs are gentle yet effective for most skin types.
Try these homemade sugar scrubs using essential oils, each offering unique skin benefits:
Hydrating Hibiscus Sugar Scrub: This scrub uses hibiscus and nourishing oils to boost moisture and support younger-looking skin. The gentle sugar granules help polish away rough texture.
Luxurious Sea Moss Sugar Scrub: Packed with minerals, this recipe blends sea moss with essential oils for a spa-like treatment. Use it to replenish and soften dry or tired skin.
Pretty Pastels Sugar Scrub: Fun and colorful, this scrub combines pastel hues with calming essential oils for a sensory treat. It’s perfect for spring skin and makes a cheerful, giftable treat.
Pine Sugar Scrub: Invigorate your senses with pine essential oil. This scrub refreshes the skin, making it ideal for post-workout routines or as a morning pick-me-up.
Vanilla Coconut Lime Scrub: Vanilla and coconut oils add deep hydration, while lime essential oil offers a brightening touch. Use it to soften elbows, knees, or any dull areas.
Use circular motions while scrubbing to boost circulation and prevent irritation.
4. Slather Homemade Whipped Body Butter for All-Day Hydration
Homemade whipped body butters with essential oils offer deep moisturization while giving your skin a sensory treat. This whipped body butter recipe is easy to make and is perfect for pampering your skin.
Frankincense essential oil, with its rejuvenating properties, pairs beautifully with shea butter to create a product ideal for sensitive or aging skin. Frankincense is known for supporting regenerated, firmer-looking skin over time.
Geranium essential oil is a great addition for its pleasant herbal scent and balancing properties.
Feel free to experiment with light floral notes like geranium essential oil, which promotes soft, youthful skin while adding a calming scent.
5. Get Kissable Lips with Essential Oil Infused Lip Balms & Lip Scrubs
Lip scrubs gently remove dead skin cells and lip balms infused with essential oils keep your lips soft and kissable. Pamper your lips with this luscious lavender lip balm recipe that feels and smells great!
Diluted peppermint essential oil gives your homemade lip balm a refreshing, cooling sensation and improves the overall hydration of chapped lips. Combine it with beeswax and shea butter for a nourishing blend that takes only minutes to make.
For extra nourishment, add a drop of vanilla oil, renowned for its soothing properties.
6. Relax & Renew with Aromatic Bath Oils
A few drops of ylang-ylang oil added to a warm bath mixed with a carrier oil can do miracles for both your skin and stress levels.
Ylang-ylang’s sweet aroma is calming, while its hydrating properties leave your skin feeling smooth and soft after prolonged exposure to water.
Essential oil baths also help prepare your skin for moisturizers and lotions, making ingredients like rose oil especially helpful for those with dry skin types.
7. Spritz a Herbal Toner Infused with Essential Oils to Refresh Skin
Toners are a great way to refresh your skin throughout the day or after cleansing, as they help restore pH balance and remove any residue. A simple, homemade toner made with geranium oil, distilled water, and witch hazel serves multiple purposes.
Geranium oil helps regulate excess sebum production, making it effective for both oily and dry skin. Witch hazel tightens pores and reduces shine without dehydrating your skin.
For a bonus, incorporate rose water as the liquid base, paired with a couple of drops of rose essential oil. This creates a soothing, all-day face mist that hydrates, balances oil, and leaves an uplifting floral scent. Store your DIY toner in a small spray bottle to carry with you for instant refreshment.
8. Nourish Skin With Herbal Hydrating Lotion Bars
Lotion bars are an innovative, non-greasy way to nourish the skin. They are solid, portable, and melt on contact with the skin, making them perfect for on-the-go hydration.
To make your own, combine melted beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil. Add vanilla essential oil for its warm, calming scent or chamomile oil for sensitive skin.
Allow the mixture to set in silicone molds, and once hardened, store the bars in a cool, dry place. These bars are ideal for dry patches, like elbows, or as a hand lotion.
9. Apply Green Tea Face Cream with Essential Oils for Antioxidant Support
Green tea has long been celebrated for its antioxidant properties, which help combat free radicals and reduce the signs of aging. A green tea-infused face cream can be enhanced with essential oils for added benefits:
Brew a cup of strong green tea and allow it to cool. Mix it with aloe vera gel, shea butter, and a few drops of frankincense oil (known for improving skin elasticity) or lavender oil (for soothing hydration).
This lightweight cream deeply moisturizes while protecting the skin from daily environmental stressors. Use it as part of your nightly skincare routine for a calming end to your day.
10. Start Fresh with a Gentle Cleanser
Using cleansers infused with essential oils is a great way to nourish the skin while gently removing dirt and impurities.
This gentle honey-calendula cleanser recipe uses natural ingredients to hydrate and soothe sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Essential oils, such as Roman chamomile or tea tree, add anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, perfect for refreshing the skin after a long day.
Honey and calendula-based cleansers combined with essential oils can give your face a calming, deep cleanse while maintaining your skin’s natural balance.
11. Use a Homemade Makeup Remover with Essential Oils
Removing makeup at the end of the day is critical for maintaining healthy skin, but many commercial removers contain harsh chemicals that strip moisture and irritate sensitive areas like the eyes.
A natural alternative combines jojoba oil – a lightweight, non-comedogenic carrier oil – with a few drops of lavender oil. Jojoba oil dissolves makeup effortlessly, mimicking your skin’s natural sebum, while lavender soothes irritation and calms redness.
To use, apply a small amount of this mixture to a cotton pad and gently sweep over your face. Follow up with a toner or face wash to ensure all traces of makeup and oil are removed. This gentle method is especially ideal for mature or dry skin types, as it preserves the skin’s moisture barrier.
12. Nourish Scalp & Hair with a Homemade Hair Conditioner
Essential oils aren’t just for your skin—they can transform your hair care routine too. A dry, itchy scalp or dull strands often benefit from essential oil treatments.
If your hair feels dry or prone to breakage, this essential oil-infused sea moss hair conditioner is wonderful for restoring moisture and strength.
For damaged hair, mix argan oil with a few drops of ylang-ylang essential oil. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, while ylang-ylang promotes moisture retention.
Blend the mixture with a dollop of your favorite conditioner or a mashed avocado for an ultra-conditioning hair mask. Apply it evenly to damp hair, focusing on dry ends, and leave it on for 20–30 minutes before rinsing.
For an itch-free scalp treatment, use peppermint oil, which has a cooling effect and anti-inflammatory properties, mixed with coconut oil. This combination adds shine and reduces irritation.
Bonus idea: Use your favorite skin-friendly oil in this homemade deodorant cream recipe.
Best Practices for Applying Essential Oils To Skin
When it’s time to incorporate essential oils into your skincare routine, keeping some best practices in mind can make all the difference. Here are a few tips to help you use these oils effectively:
Start Small
A few drops are all you need—seriously. A tiny amount can have powerful effects, so avoid overloading your skin. Too much can overwhelm your skin barrier and lead to clogged pores or irritation.
Target Problem Areas First
Rather than applying essential oils all over your face, start by focusing on specific areas. For example, dab tea tree oil (diluted, of course) onto blemishes or tap soothing lavender oil onto red, irritated spots.
Listen to Your Skin
Everyone’s skin reacts differently, so what works for one person might not work for another. If your skin feels irritated, tight, or uncomfortable after applying an oil, discontinue use and opt for gentler alternatives.
Store Essential Oils Correctly
Store essential oils in a cool, dark place, ideally in amber or cobalt glass bottles to preserve their potency. Sunlight and heat can break down their active properties, which makes them less effective over time.
Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure After Using Citrus Essential Oils On Your Skin
Some essential oils, like citrus oils (such as lemon, lime, or bergamot), are photosensitive. This means they can make your skin more prone to burns or discoloration when exposed to direct sunlight. If you’re using these oils, apply them at nighttime or wait at least 12 hours before going outside.
Following these practices ensures that essential oils become a beneficial part of your skincare routine, offering results without the risk of harm.
Essential oils bring a natural, holistic approach to skincare while offering a wide array of benefits. Whether you are looking to hydrate, exfoliate, or simply unwind, there is a perfect essential oil and DIY recipe to match your needs.
Remember to always respect the potency of these oils by using them with care, and let your skin enjoy the natural nourishment and relaxation they provide.
FAQs On Using Essential Oils In Your Skincare Routine
Can essential oils be used for all skin types?
Yes, but it’s important to select oils that match your specific skin needs. For instance, dry skin benefits from hydrating oils like lavender or rose, while oily skin responds better to balancing oils like tea tree or geranium.
Is it safe to use essential oils daily?
Yes, as long as they are diluted and suitable for your skin type. For example, lavender oil can be used daily for dry skin, while tea tree oil is better as a targeted treatment for blemishes used every few days to avoid dryness.
Can I use essential oils around the eyes?
Essential oils are highly concentrated and should not be applied near the eyes as they may irritate the delicate skin and mucous membranes. Instead, use essential oil-infused products diluted with carrier oils on surrounding areas, such as this homemade coffee eye cream for puffy eyes.
Are essential oils safe for sensitive skin?
If you have sensitive skin, its best to stick to calming oils like Chamomile or Sandalwood. It’s more important than ever to dilute and patch-test before using essential oils on sensitive skin.
Are there any essential oils to avoid for sensitive skin?
Yes, some essential oils, such as citrus oils (lemon, orange, or bergamot), may increase sensitivity to sunlight or cause irritation. These oils should be used with caution and always diluted.
Can I use essential oils directly on blemishes?
Never use essential oils directly on your skin, whether on a large or small area. Regardless of all other factors, you must dilute essential oils with a carrier oil to avoid irritation. This is non-negotiable. To target blemishes, apply the diluted essential oil over the smaller area.
How do carrier oils enhance the effects of essential oils?
Carrier oils dilute essential oils to make them safe for skin application while contributing their own benefits. Jojoba oil mimics natural sebum, sweet almond oil hydrates with vitamin E, and coconut oil adds deep moisturization and antibacterial properties.
Can essential oils replace my moisturizer?
While carrier oils infused with essential oils can hydrate, they don’t contain the same humectants (water-attracting agents) found in moisturizers. Use them as an added layer of hydration, but pair them with a cream-based product for best results.
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.
