Skin problems are often the surface manifestation of something deeper. Hormonal imbalance, buildup of toxins, nervous and emotional difficulties, etc. can all give rise to skin issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes.
Essential oils help address these complaints on a variety of different levels.
Read Also: How to Use Essential Oils for Lip Care
Many essential oils have skin regenerating properties that help aging skin. Some oils are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antimicrobial and relieve symptoms of skin problems like ringworm or tinea infections, warts, allergies etc. Additionally, essential oils are easily soluble in popular carrier oils and alcohol which make them the ideal ingredients in skin care and cosmetic formulations.
Before I list the 10 of the best oils for skin care, I’ll review the different essential oil treatments of specific skin disorders.
Later, I’ll provide you with some easy recipe blends to alleviate the more common skin problems.
Benefits of Essential Oils for Skin Care
- Antiseptic: Essential oils like Lavender, Tea Tree, Sage, Thyme etc. can be used for healing cuts, burns, warts, insect bites etc.
- Anti-inflammatory: This property is seen in Tea tree, Carrot seed, German and Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Myrrh, Patchouli, Neroli, Rosemary and many other essential oils and can be used for healing wounds, bumps, bruises, and eczema rashes.
- Fungicidal: Essential oils like Tea tree, Myrrh, Lavender, and Patchouli are known for their antifungal properties which can benefit people with Ringworm, Candida, Athlete’s Foot, etc.
- Cicatrizing (healing): These agents work on burns, stretch marks, cuts, scars, acne, wrinkles and age spots. Oils with this property include Rose, Neroli, Frankincense, Lavender, etc.
Apart from these properties, you can also use essential oils for repelling bugs, for deodorizing from excess perspiration, and for improving blood circulation to moisturize the skin and fight the effects of aging.
Ok, now let’s take a look at my list of the 10 best essential oils for skin care.
10 Best Essential Oils for Skin Care
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Lavender Oil
When it comes to essential oils for skin care, the first oil that comes to mind is Lavender (buy it from Amazon). Lavender oil is known for its woody, floral aroma as well as its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties. ‘Aromatherapy’, the first recognized modern application of essential oils, began with Lavender oil which is now used extensively on the skin for healing cuts, burns, Candida, insect bites, wounds, and scars.
Application: You can safely use Lavender oil for inhalation, diffusion, compress, bath oil, massage oil, or direct application.
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Lemon Oil
Lemon oil (buy it from Amazon) is antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent and antiviral. You can use it for skin lightening or whitening, reducing age spots and blemishes, acne scars, cellulite, boils, corns, and oily skin. The antiseptic properties of Lemon oil can also help heal wounds, warts and bacterial skin infections. Avoid sun exposure after using this phototoxic oil as it UV rays makes the skin even more sensitive to sun damage.
Application: Use Lemon oil for massage, bath, inhalation, and diffusion. Never use this oil undiluted (usually diluted with a carrier oil) as it can lead to allergic reaction.
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Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil (buy it from Amazon) is highly valued worldwide for its medicinal properties. One of the most common uses of Tea Tree oil in skin care is for fighting acne. Additionally, its antifungal, antibacterial and cicatrizing properties aid in Ringworm/Tinea, Candida, warts, and verrucas, cold sores and herpes sores, toenail fungus, Jock Itch, Athlete’s Foot, psoriasis, dandruff etc.
Application: Use Tea Tree oil for inhalation, diffusion, and direct application to the skin after suitable dilution. Never use this oil undiluted. Also, always check for allergic reaction by performing a patch test first.
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Geranium Oil
Geranium (buy it from Amazon) has an enjoyable rose-like, herby and citrusy aroma. It is one of the best oils for skin care as it can help relieve symptoms of dermatitis and eczema, prevent acne, heal wounds and burns, and also reduce symptoms of Ringworm and other fungal skin infections. Geranium essential oil is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory.
Application: Use Geranium oil for inhalation, massage, diffusion or direct application to the skin after suitable dilution with a carrier oil.
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Chamomile Oil
Both Roman Chamomile and German Chamomile essential oils (buy it from Amazon) are suitable for hypersensitive skin and can be used for healing burns, dermatitis, eczema etc. It has antibacterial, analgesic, emollient, calming and healing properties. Use Chamomile oil to ease puffiness under eyes, heal diaper rash in babies, strengthen and tighten aging skin and also moisturize dry, irritated and sensitive skin.
Application: Use Chamomile oil for inhalation, massage, diffusion and direct application to the skin.
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Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot seed essential oil (buy it from Amazon) is often used in commercial acne and scar formulations. It is best for dehydrated, dry skin in the winter. Use it for healing calluses, eczema, boils and problems faced by mature skin such as age spots, wrinkles, etc. Carrot seed oil improves skin tone and elasticity, deters photo-damage, skin rashes, dermatitis, skin discoloration and changes in skin caused by moisture retention.
Application: Use for massage and direct application to the skin after proper dilution. Always conduct a patch test first to ensure there is no allergic reaction.
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Frankincense Oil
Suffering from dry, aging skin, turkey neck, wrinkles, acne, scars and stretch marks? Then Frankincense essential oil (buy it from Amazon) is the best skin oil for all your needs. Frankincense oil is anti-inflammatory, astringent, immune-stimulant and promotes healing. Use it with carrier oils like Apricot, Calendula or Borage oil for skin healing benefits.
Application: Use Frankincense oil for massage, as a compress, bath oil, inhalation, diffusion and direct application to the skin after dilution.
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Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum oil (buy it from Amazon) is known to promote healing in skin conditions like burns, wounds, acne, scars, frost bites, mature skin etc. It acts as a sunscreen to protect the skin against harsh UV rays. It is anti-inflammatory and cicatrizing and promotes healing while preventing bruising.
Application: Use Helichrysum oil for inhalation, massage therapy, bath oil, compress, diffusion, and direct application to the skin after dilution with a suitable carrier oil.
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Jasmine Oil
Pure Jasmine oil (buy it from Amazon) may be very expensive but it is totally worth the price as it benefits dry, oily, mixed and sensitive skin types. You can use it for treating stretch marks, pruritus (extreme itchiness), dermatitis etc. This soothing, anti-inflammatory oil also detoxifies the skin and can expel uric acid to prevent bloating.
Application: Use Jasmine oil as a bath oil, compress, for massage therapy, inhalation, diffusion and direct application to the skin.
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Juniper Berry Oil
Juniper berry oil (buy it from Amazon) is beneficial for all skin types. Use it for steaming the face when dealing with pesky blackheads. It is also beneficial for psoriasis, acne and stretch marks. People with weeping or bleeding eczema can also benefit from Juniper berry oil.
Application: Use Juniper berry oil for inhalation, bath, massage, compress and direct application after dilution on the skin.
Essential Oil Recipes for Skin Care
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Nutritive Blend for Aging Skin
- 40 grams each of Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil and Rose water
- 20-25 drops of Carrot seed oil
Mix the oils and Rose water. Shake well and store the blend in a glass bottle. Use the mixture on face and neck after cleansing each night to fight blemishes, wrinkles and age spots.
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Anti-Acne Recipe
- 20 drops of Lavender oil
- 30 drops of Tea tree oil and Lemon oil each
Store the above blend in a dark colored glass bottle. Mix and add it to any carrier oil such as Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil. Apply all over the acne mark and blemishes 2-3 times a day or overnight.
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Anti-Itch Blend for Eczema
- 1 tbsp Coconut oil
- 2 drops each Helichrysum and Frankincense oils
- 1 drop Geranium oil
Mix the oils and apply all over the itchy skin.
Conclusion
Many essential oils work wonders for the skin and can be used every day to combat acne, dry skin, eczema, itchy skin, wrinkles, cellulite, oiliness, etc. The best part– they are completely natural and toxin free.
Go ahead…begin experimenting and benefiting naturally from essential oils for your skin care issues today!
Written by – Jill Holiday, a full-time resident of Bali, Indonesia. When she’s not free-diving in the Indian Ocean, Jill writes about medicinal and practical uses for Nature’s natural oils at Pure Wild Oils. You can also follow her writings on Facebook.
