Essential oils have several health benefits, including cleansing and nourishing skin cells. They can be used to get a healthier and stronger skin, get rid of blemishes and even to treat acne. Here is what you should know about using essential oils for acne.
Most prescription and over-the-counter remedies for acne contain salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids and other chemicals. These ingredients can be efficient against acne but they also cause your skin to become dry. More sebum is produced to rehydrate the skin, which results in more clogged pores and in more breakouts. Essential oils are a gentler alternative that will not irritate your skin or make it dry.
Best Essential Oils
Tea tree oil or juniper berry oil are good choices if you have acne since these essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Applying these oils topically will help eliminate the bacteria that is responsible for breakouts. Lavender oil also has antibacterial properties but it also contains antioxidants that nourish and strengthen skin cells. If you have frequent breakouts, clary sage essential oil will help reduce inflammation.
How To Use
You can choose to use one of the essential oils listed above or combine different essential oils. You can for instance combine clary sage and tea tree oil to reduce inflammation and get rid of bacteria at the same time. You will get better results if you mix the anti-acne essential oils you want to use with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil. Coconut oil is a good choice if you want to hydrate your skin but jojoba oil will help cleanse your skin.
Downsides
Essential oils should not irritate your skin like other acne treatments. However, irritation and redness can still occur if you have sensitive skin. Always use a small quantity of oil and dilute it with a carrier oil. If this is your first time using an essential oil, apply a small quantity to your skin and wait a few minutes to make sure you won’t have a reaction. You should also avoid exposure to the sun directly after using essential oils since UV rays could irritate and damage your skin.
Results You Can Expect
If you have been using prescription or over-the-counter treatments filled with chemicals, you should see an improvement as soon as you replace these treatments with essential oils. Apply essential oils to the areas where you get acne at least twice a week to get results but don’t hesitate to do it more often as long as your skin doesn’t get irritated. Your complexion should soon clear up and your skin will look healthier.
Using essential oils for acne is a more gentle approach compared to treatments filled with chemicals. Tea tree oil, lavender oil, clary sage oil and juniper berry oil are the best natural remedies against acne but remember to always mix these oils with a carrier oil.
