Just like multiple prescription drugs and ointments essential oils work best in curing acne. And for the most part it protects your skin from harsh medications while treating your acne from the root. This is why you should tap into this insightful post that deals with the best essential oils for acne prone skin.
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Essential oils have been in use for long due to a variety of purposes that range from aromatherapy to household cleaning products, and from personal beauty care to natural medicinal treatments. After all, it contains detoxifying, anti-depressant, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Essential oils are extracted from various plants that include flowers, leaves, herbs, roots and peels. They are further distilled so that the oil is separated from the water-based compounds in the plants.
If you have ever used essential oils, you can be the greatest witness of their strong aroma. This strong aroma is the result of distillation which makes the essential oils highly concentrated.
Editor’s Picks
If you’re in a rush, below are the top 3 best essential oils for acne prone skin, hands down!
| Image | Product | ||
|---|---|---|---|
EDITOR'S TOP PICK |   | LJH TeaTree 90 Essence
| Click for Price |
  | Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick
| Click for Price | |
  | Shea Terra Organics Argan & Rosemary Cleansing Oil
| Click for Price |
Table of Contents
Importance of Essential Oils for Acne and Skin Care
When it comes to the use of essential oils specifically for skin care, they work effectively to improve acne, calm irritated skin and reduce the signs of aging.
According to a review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “At least 90 essential oils can be identified as being recommended for dermatological use, with at least 1,500 combinations.”
Effective Against Infections
The skin benefits that the essential oils hold is due to their ability to fight pathogens that cause dermatological infections. Essential oils are extremely helpful in improving inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema and lupus. On the whole, they improve the general appearance of your skin and also aid wound healing process.
Help Hormonal Imbalance
The reason why essential oils treat acne from the root is that they help in balancing hormones. Not all, but there are some specific essential oils for hormones that balance estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid and testosterone levels in your body. In short, we can also say that essential oils are a savior if you suffer from hormonal acne.
According to a study published in Neuro Endocrinology Letters some essential oils influence the salivary concentration of estrogen in women. Particularly, geranium and rose.
This may be helpful for women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms that are caused by declining levels of estrogen secretion.
Enemy of Bacteria
However, essential oils are helpful in eliminating other kinds of acne as well. The reason is that they contain anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They do not let acne-causing bacteria breed and soothe your acne-affected skin.
While using essential oils as part of your acne treatment you need to keep in mind that essential oils should always be used with carrier oil. Because of this many products comprising essential oils often contain two or more than two essential oils.
7 Best Essential Oils for Acne
Here is a complete list of essential oils that is going to help you with your struggle through acne, pimples and blackheads. Since these include a detailed review you can easily figure out which essential oil can be best for both your skin type and acne kind.
Tea Tree Oil
If you have suffered from acne quite for some time then tea tree oil wouldn’t be a new name for you. When it comes to treating acne, tea tree oil tops the list. A study shows that 5% of tea tree oil can efficiently treat mild to moderate acne.
Pros:
Tea tree oil contains antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties which makes it excellent for treating acne. It is best for nearly all types of skin infections. This oil helps in clearing blocked pores and also reduces inflammation. Because it clears pores, it prevents the development of blackheads and whiteheads.
According to a research study published on PubMed, tea tree oil is proved better in comparison to Benzyl Peroxide for the treatment of acne. Unlike many other essential oils tea tree oil can be applied directly on small acne-affected areas.
Cons:
Tea tree oil can be drying and hence, it is not suitable for dry and sensitive skins. You need to avoid stepping out in the sun once you have applied tea tree oil. Tea tree oil makes your skin sensitive to UV rays and it can affect your complexion alongside triggering acne.
Best Tea Tree Oil Products for Acne:
1. LJH TeaTree 90 Essence
This Korean product hydrates skin and prepares it for further treatment including serums and moisturizers. It removes excess sebum that leads to clogged pores and helps clam the redness and inflammation caused by acne scars.
Moreover, it is suitable for oily skins as it prevents greasiness and it does not have a scent due to which it is safe for sensitive skins. It can aggravate dry skins that suffer from hormonal acne. This essence comes with a dropper that is easy to use but expensive.
2. Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick
You need to have this cool blemish stick in your bag. Packed with the power of 9 botanical extracts this stick works wonders to provide you relief from pimples, acne bumps and irritation. You just need to glide it over your blemishes.
Besides, tea tree oil, the other natural elements it includes is chamomile, lavender and calendula. They give you a radiant and oil-free skin curing your acne. This blemish stick isn’t expensive and can be used underneath makeup.
Furthermore, it contains denatured alcohol that gives it an unpleasant fragrance and if you have sensitive skin you should avoid using it. If you have dry skin, it can make your skin peel.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is one of the best essential oils for acne scars. It contains natural compounds that keeps oiliness at bay and reduces swelling from the clogged pores. Since rosemary oil stimulates the skin repair process, it automatically removes acne scars as new skin tissues are formed.
Pros:
According to a research produced by Journal of Medicinal Food: rosemary extracts are highly effective in killing Propionibacterium acnes – the acne causing bacteria. It also helps reducing bacteria-induced inflammation in acne scars. It does not let oil and dead cells build up on your face.
Cons:
Although, rosemary is not considered as a sensitizer, it can cause allergic dermatitis – i.e. irritation followed by skin rash. Avoid use if you are pregnant or suffer from epilepsy.
Best Rosemary Oil Product for Acne:
1. Shea Terra Organics Argan & Rosemary Cleansing Oil
Brewed with the power of Argan along with Rosemary essential oil, this acne removing deep cleanser leaves your skin fresh instantly.
Suitable for all skin types this cleanser washes away impurities such as oil and dead cells. It effectively controls the oil production and keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Besides, it is safe for sensitive skin and does not let your skin dry.
Not to forget, this formula does not work for excessively oily skins and it is quite expensive.
Clary Sage Oil
It combats the acne causing bacteria and provides soothing properties to any occurring inflammation. Clary sage oil is used in aromatherapy to drop stress levels that in turn helps you in the prevention of outbreaks. In short, Clary Sage tops the list of essential oils for hormonal acne.
Pros:
Clary sage oil offers anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. A research study published in Advances in Dermatology and Allergology showed that clary sage is highly effective against acne-causing bacteria.
Alongside this, it helps in balancing the hormone levels treating your hormonal acne. It also clears your pores giving you a break from blackheads and whiteheads. Moreover, it cures all the scarring from acne.
Cons:
It should only be used when it is in diluted form as it exhibits mild irritation. This oil is said to be hypotensive i.e. it decreases blood pressure. Hence, it is advised to avoid this oil if you suffer from low blood pressure.
Best Clary Sage Oil Product for Acne:
1. Bloomsbury Sq Featherlight Cucumber Skin Nectar
Infused with the essences of cucumber seed oil and clary sage oil, this cucumber skin nectar calms inflammation and eliminates pollutants trapped in the skin.
It is designed for normal and oily skins to diminish oiliness and blemishes. The dropper bottle packaging makes it easy for application. It should be used once or twice daily. Being rich in anti-oxidants it helps replenish your skin and vanish your scars.
However, it is costly but the price is worth it.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is the most commonly used essential oil, specially in anti-acne products. It is not only great at fighting acne bacteria but it also lowers stress level. Stress is associated with aggravating acne so it won’t be wrong if we say that it is beneficial for stress related acne.
Pros:
Lavender oil defies acne and blemish-prone skin due to its strong anti-bacterial activity. The journal Molecules reported that five minutes after applying lavender oil, the traces of P. acnes bacteria were gone from the skin.
Lavender regenerates skin cells rapidly healing the acne affected skin. Lavender oil is one of those few essential oils that are both good for dry and acne-prone skin. In addition to that, it calms chapped skin and prevents aging.
Cons:
The undiluted use of lavender oil can cause irritation and allergic reaction in some cases. “Lavender contains geraniol, linalool, and linalyl acetate,” says Purvi Parikh, MD. “All three are known contact allergens, meaning they cause rashes that look like eczema or poison ivy” – she further adds.
Best Lavender Oil Products for Acne:
1. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
This cleanser is a soap-free gel that clears your pores without drying your skin. It is designed with Lavender extracts that maintain the right pH for removing acne and minimizes your pores.
Its anti-inflammatory characteristic heals redness and irritation while making it suitable for sensitive skin. Provide best results when used with exfoliating face brush.
This gel is quite pricey so beware if you get it on a low price because many reviewers complained of the fake products made using local ingredients.
2. Essential Oil Labs Therapeutic Grade Lavender Oil
Essential Oil Lab’s Lavender Oil is multi-purpose oil that can be used for massage, aromatherapy, headache prevention and skincare.
It speeds up the healing of acne scars and hyperpigmentation marks. In addition to that, it prevents future breakouts. When used with a carrier oil this serves as a great antiseptic for wounds and open cut.
On the other hand, if you have extremely oily skin, do not use this oil as it can cause you to break out more severely. And it is not suitable for sensitive skin.
Lemon Oil
This essential oil is quite effective when you have extremely oily skin and suffer from pimples, nodules and pustules caused by acne. It possesses great exfoliating qualities and you are at great benefits if you use it for controlling oil. This is why lemon oil is often a constituent of acne cleansers and exfoliators.
Pros:
Applying lemon oil to the acne-infected skin helps in draining out the pustules and pimples. A study from 2008 proved that citrus essential oils kill two bacteria associated with acne: Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
The astringent qualities of lemon help in shrinking pores giving you a flawless complexion. The presence of Vitamin C helps boost skin collagen and stimulates cell renewal process that helps in acne healing process.
Cons:
Lemon oil has bleaching property that makes it unsuitable for sensitive and dry skins. Since, it involves Citric Acid it can cause burning sensation to dry skin.
Best Lemon Oil Products for Acne:
1. Herb Day Cleansing Foam Lemon
This lemon cleansing foam wipes out all the oil and sebum from your skin making it squeaky clean.
Since it is an anti-oxidant rich formula it soothes your acne-affected skin. And it repairs your skin removing all the dead cells that clog your pores. It is quite easy on the pocket and good for everyday use.
The initial use can make your skin dry but after 3-4 uses you will notice improvements and skin adjusts to the changes swiftly.
Anyhow, if this product causes your skin to peel or any sort of irritation you should discontinue use.
2. ODYLIQUE Lemon and Tea Tree Purifying Wash
This is a mild, antiseptic and rinse off cleanser for everyday use.
It is best when you have got acne spots on typical sweaty summer days. It gently exfoliates your skin where the lemon detoxifies and the anti-bacterial power of tea tree helps you get rid of your pesky pimples.
Designed for normal to oily skin, this purifying wash also acts as a makeup remover.
Although, it hydrates skin it can also cause dryness so you need to figure out the right frequency.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile is widely known for its anti-inflammatory effect. Whether it is irritation, sores, rashes, acne scars or redness, chamomile works for it all. Alongside this, chamomile is used to treat bacterial infections on the skin.
Pros:
It gently soothes the swollen red bumps on acne prone skin eventually causing them to disappear. Chamomile is also anti-bacterial which makes it quite suitable for treating acne. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect it is suitable for sensitive skin and is also effective for other bacterial infections on the skin.
Cons:
Although it helps in eliminating acne it does not do anything to control the excessive oil or sebum production. That is why it does not unclog pores efficiently like others do and is not a go to product for oily skins.
Best Chamomile Product for Acne:
1. Neutrogena Soothing Cream Cleanser
Unlike others, this redness soothing cream cleanser is designed for sensitive yet oily skins.
It provides Salicylic Acid treatment for unclogging pores and controlling oil.
On the other hand, it makes use of aloe and chamomile extracts for giving a soothing effect to your acne-burned skin. This product is low on price and can be used twice daily.
Extremely dry skins can get irritation as this product is oil-free and promotes dryness.
Juniper Berry Oil
Juniper Berry Oil is not a common essential oil but it holds great properties for blemish prone skin. It is detoxifying, antiseptic and improves the blood circulation.
Pros:
Juniper Berry Oil serves as a great natural remedy for acne. According to a research journal Pharmaceutical Development and Technology juniper berry extracts serve as great anti-acne topical ointment. It helps your skin in getting rid of the free radicals and promotes the healing of damaged skin. Apart from this, it fights skin irritations such as rash and infections.
Cons:
Don’t use it on large wounds. It is known to cause irritation, redness, burning and swelling in some rare cases. You must not use it more than twice a day.
Best Juniper Berry Product for Acne:
1. Juniper Berry Essential Oil by Edens Garden
This essential oil is best for less severe acne that involves pimples and blemishes but not for extreme cases that include red bumps, cysts and nodes.
It does not control oil that efficiently and so if you have very oily skin you wouldn’t get much from this product.
Since, this is purely essential oil you need to mix it with carrier oil and then apply. You can use it with aloe vera gel to get rid of your acne.
It can also be used for aromatherapy and massages.
Over to You
That brings us to the end of this comprehensive post on the best essential oils for acne prone skin.
Have you found the perfect fit for your skin? Has an essential oil, product, tip to share? Please leave your comment below!
