Essential oils have many health benefits and play a crucial role in skin care of all kinds. Essential oils are an amazing natural alternative for treating acne prone skin, and for most people, they work even better than the toxic concoctions that are typically prescribed in western medicine today to treat acne. The prescription treatments for acne often tend to be extremely harsh and drying to the skin and come with many unwanted and unhealthy side effects, so it is a huge relief to know there are other options that are not only safer, but that are typically more effective as well.
Some essential oils can be applied neet, or undiluted, and others need to be diluted in a proper carrier oil before applying them to the skin. Some people may find that they are sensitive to certain essential oils whether applied neet or diluted even in cases where neet is typically okay, so a patch test is always recommended beforehand. Essential oils are amazing at treating many conditions, but when using them on the skin you may find that your skin is a bit more sensitive to the sun. This is called UV sensitivity and is nothing to be worried about, but it is a good idea to avoid excess sunlight when using the essential oils as is the case with many medicines and treatments.
Many studies have proven the powerful benefits of essential oils in skin care and many studies have specifically proven that certain essential oils are very effective for preventing and treating acne. Although there are certainly many other effective essential oils used to treat acne, we have compiled the main essential oils that have been proven and are often recommended by many doctors to battle acne. You may view and purchase all of these essential oils below if you wish. As always, The Herb Forest thanks you!
Note: To learn all about The Best and the Worst Carrier Oils for Acne Prone Skin, please click HERE.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil may be the most effective essential oil for treating acne and whiteheads. Between Tea Tree Essential Oil’s antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, acne hardly stands a chance of surviving when Tea Tree Essential Oil is used properly. Tea Tree Essential Oil can tend to dry the skin rather quickly, so those with naturally dry skin should dilute it with a proper carrier oil to avoid over drying the skin.
To use Tea Tree Essential Oil to fight acne or whiteheads, simply apply 2-3 drops directly to the area of concern or dilute it in a proper carrier oil intended for acne prone skin and gently press it into the skin. You may also add it to your face wash or body wash and many people like to dilute it in a spray bottle and spritz it on instead.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil is considered one of the most universal and safest oils and is often applied neat. Everyone benefits from Lavender Essential Oil use. For topical treatment it is best to use Lavender Essential Oil every day when treating acne as it is great at preventing acne in the first place. Lavender Essential Oil is packed with antimicrobial properties, antioxidants, is detoxing, relieves stress, balances hormones, eases insomnia and sleep deprivation, treats acne, calms and reduces blemishes and redness, reduces dark spots and scars from acne, and is great for healing dry skin.
To use Lavender Essential Oil to treat acne you can either apply 2-5 drops directly to the area of concern, add it to your face wash, body wash, moisturizer, or spritz it on in a dilution of water. It is also recommended to diffuse Lavender Essential Oil regularly in a diffuser if you tend to suffer from stress, anxiety, sleep problems, or hormonal problems as it has proven to be extremely effective at relieving these issues which contribute to acne as well.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil has been used for thousands of years in many cultures and is even discussed in many different biblical scriptures. It has been considered one of the most powerful Essential Oils on the planet and is considered a healing and restorative oil. It has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is detoxifying, reduces scars, dark spots, and wrinkles all while naturally toning the skin. On top of all of these benefits, Frankincense Essential Oil also relieves stress and anxiety, reduces pain, boosts immunity and fights cancer.
To use Frankincense Essential Oil to treat acne, simply add 2-3 drops directly to the area of concern or mix it into your moisturizer, face wash, body wash, or in a spray bottle diluted in water to spritz it on.
Note: Always use extra caution to avoid getting any essential oils into your eyes or mouth, this is especially important when using the spritzing method as it’s easy to spray in the eyes and mouth.
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary Sage Essential Oil is another powerful essential oil used to treat acne prone skin for many reasons. Clary Sage Essential Oil not only curbs the bacteria that feed acne, but it also regulates the production of sebum (our skins natural oil), alleviates stress, fights insomnia and sleep deprivation, and it balances our hormones. Stress, lack of sleep and hormonal imbalances are all major culprits to acne that many acne sufferers fail to treat. For most people, we can slather everything we need to on our skin, but if we do not target the root causes and/or other factors, then we may not see the results we had hoped for.
To use Clary Sage Essential Oil to fight acne you may apply 1-3 drops neet (directly to the skin) or dilute it in a proper carrier oil that is intended for acne prone skin and gently press into the skin. Many people love to add the lovely aromatic Clary Sage Essential Oil to their essential oil diffusers to reap even more of Clary Sage’s amazing benefits.
Note: It is always recommended that you do a skin patch test to determine if your skin is too sensitive to apply the essential oil neet and many people believe most essential oils should not be applied this way.
Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium Essential Oil is considered an all-in-one essential oil that was used by the Ancient Egyptians to fight off tumors and to promote healthy skin. As time went on, it has become very apparent that it is a must when treating acne prone skin. Aside from Geranium’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, Geranium Essential Oil also regulates sebum production, balances hormones, improves blood circulation just below the skin’s surface, fades dark spots and scars, and it improves the skins elasticity. Geranium Essential Oil is also great for treating other inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Geranium Essential Oil is so good at fading and healing scars that it is often used on surgical incisions as well as on cuts and scrapes.
To use Geranium Essential Oil to treat acne, you may apply 1-3 drops neet or mix it into a proper carrier oil that is intended for acne prone skin and gently massage the mixture into the skin. Some people simply mix it into their moisturizer as well and some of the best homemade acne treatments contain Geranium Essential Oil. It also has many benefits and smells great when used in an aromatherapy essential oil diffuser.
Juniper Berry Essential Oil
Juniper Berry Essential Oil is packed full of amazing properties that help fight, treat and prevent acne. Aside from Juniper Berry Essential Oil’s anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, it is also great at treating skin irritations and infections as well as detoxing the body and reducing stress. Juniper Berry Essential Oil is one powerful essential oil so many people with sensitive skin will need to dilute it in a proper carrier oil intended for acne prone skin.
To use Juniper Berry Essential Oil to treat acne, simply apply 2-3 drops directly to the acne, or you may dilute it in a proper carrier oil intended for acne prone skin.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil is great at many things including speeding up the time it takes for acne to heal. The reason Rosemary Essential Oil is so great for treating acne is that it has anti-inflammatory properties, is an antiseptic and astringent, reduces excess sebum, reduces redness and swelling, improves blood circulation, firms and tones the skin, balances hormones, and reduces pain. Rosemary Essential Oil has also been shown to host many other amazing benefits as well.
To use Rosemary Essential Oil to treat acne, you may add 2-3 drops to a proper carrier oil intended for acne prone skin, or you may mix it into your cleanser, scrub, or moisturizer. Diffusing Rosemary Essential Oil is often recommended as well.
Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano Essential Oil makes for one heck of a spot treatment for acne. Oregano Essential Oil has powerful antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties making it especially useful for treating acne. It also greatly reduces pain and can speed up the healing process. Oregano Essential Oil is also great for treating other skin conditions such as cold sores and rashes.
To use Oregano Essential Oil to treat acne it is typically recommended that you do not apply it neet as it can cause minor irritation due to its potency. Therefore it is recommended that you properly dilute Oregano Essential Oil with equal parts carrier oil before applying directly to the acne. Apply as a spot treatment until the skin is cleared up.
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot Essential Oil is another great essential oil used to spot treat acne. It not only has anti-bacterial properties, but it also greatly speeds up the healing time of acne and fades post-acne scaring. Bergamot Essential Oil is great at balancing oily skin, removes dirt and impurities that are clogging your pores, promotes skin cell turnover, and is great for sensitive skin. The delicious aroma of Bergamot Essential Oil is said to be extremely calming and great at reducing stress and ensuring a good night of sleep. As you know, stress and lack of sleep are major culprits to acne.
To use Bergamot Essential Oil to treat acne, mix approximately 5 drops in 1 teaspoon of proper carrier oil and apply two times a day for best results. As we stated before, Bergamot Essential Oil is typically used as a spot treatment where it is applied directly to the acne. It is highly recommended that you diffuse it in an aromatherapy essential oil diffuser as well because as we mentioned, it is great at reducing stress and inducing great sleep.
Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli Essential Oil has long been used in traditional asian medicines as it has a vast array of amazing properties. Patchouli Essential Oil is great for treating acne as it reduces and speeds up the healing of scars, is anti-fungal, minimizes wrinkles, encourages skin cell turnover, balances hormones, is antiseptic and anti-aging, and because it is anti-inflammatory. Patchouli Essential Oil is also great for treating dry or chapped skin, eczema, dermatitis, dandruff, oily scalp, and can even be used to treat and soothe bug bites.
To use Patchouli Essential Oil to treat acne, you may add 5 drops to your face moisturizer or proper carrier oil or you may apply it neet directly to the infected areas. Patchouli Essential Oil also has an amazing aroma and mixes very well with other oils in an essential oil diffuser. When diffusing Patchouli Essential Oil it also reduces and helps balance hormones.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon Essential Oil is another great spot treatment, especially for those with oily skin due to its strong astringent properties. Lemon Essential Oil is great at fading scars, unclogging pores and fighting germs. For some people with sensitive skin, Lemon Essential Oil can cause minor irritation if not diluted properly.
To use Lemon Essential Oil to treat acne you may apply a drop directly to the acne or scaring and for those with sensitive skin you will want to dilute it in a proper carrier oil intended for acne prone skin. Of course Lemon Essential Oil smells amazing when diffused in an essential oil diffuser and is great at reducing stress all while giving you some extra pep in your step.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil is great for all skin types, but is especially good for oily skin due to its astringent properties. It will balance the skins sebum without over drying the skin and is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Lemongrass has a unique smell of, you guessed it, lemon and grass.
To use Lemongrass Essential Oil to treat acne, properly dilute it in a carrier oil or add it to your moisturizer. Lemongrass has an uplifting aroma that blends well with other essential oils in an essential oil diffuser.
We hope that you enjoyed our article on The Most Powerful Essential Oils for Acne Prone Skin. The Herb Forest always welcomes comments and we appreciate all of your support. Thank you all!
