4 min read / 10 June 2022 / Caitlin Devlin
The best essential oils for treating acne
These soothing, cleansing oils can help you to achieve clearer, brighter skin.
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The right oils may not make this stubborn skin condition vanish entirely, but they can significantly lessen its appearance.
Essential oils can benefit skin in a number of ways. They can deeply cleanse pores, cure fungal infections, heal imperfections, and even reduce wrinkles.
One of the most common ways that essential oils are incorporated into skincare is in the treatment of acne, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
The essential oils on this list all boast properties that can calm skin, clear up redness, and reduce the appearance of acne.
Bear in mind that essential oils are potent natural products. As such, they should always be diluted with a carrier oil before they are applied to skin, and they should never be applied to open wounds – so avoid spots or rashes that have been picked or are bleeding. It’s also safer to patch test the oils and assess the reaction to skin before using.
Different people and different skin types will have different reactions to each oil, so it’s important to experiment and discover what works for you.
Basil oil
Basil essential oil has been found to have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in studies from 2012 and 2017. These anti-inflammatory effects soothe any redness and inflammation around the affected area and help to reduce the appearance of acne.
Cedarwood oil
A study in 2016 found that cedarwood essential oil can reduce inflammation and redness, making it a perfect acne treatment. The oil is also antifungal, an extra benefit that can keep fungal infections at bay.
Learn more about the benefits of cedarwood essential oil.
Coriander seed oil
The antibacterial properties of coriander seed oil can help to prevent acne and blackheads by deeply cleansing skin and getting rid of unwanted bacteria. Coriander seed oil is also rich in antioxidants, which protect skin and keep it looking youthful.
Garlic oil
Garlic essential oil has both strong anti-inflammatory and strong antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce the appearance of acne and also attack harmful bacteria. Furthermore, a 2014 study demonstrated strong antifungal properties in garlic oil that can help to clear up infections.
Geranium oil
Geranium essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, reducing redness and inflammation around areas affected by acne. Its fragrant scent is also a natural deodorant, helping to mask personal odour.
Gurjun oil
Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic gurjun can help to reduce the appearance of acne on the skin and also prevent infections. Gurjun essential oil also has astringent properties, increasing the elasticity of the skin and reducing wrinkles to give us a more youthful appearance.
Lemon oil
Lemon oil’s powerful astringent properties have been found to shrink tissue around areas affected by acne and reduce inflammation. Lemon essential oil is also a powerfully antibacterial oil, deeply cleansing skin. Make sure to only apply steam distilled lemon oil to skin to avoid phototoxic effects.
May chang oil
May chang essential oil has the ability to reduce excess perspiration on the skin, which can prevent acne flare-ups. It’s also antibacterial and antifungal, deeply cleansing pores of harmful bacteria.
Melissa oil
Melissa essential oil is considered anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal, and so is often used to treat acne and eczema. It is also known to fight against several strains of the herpes virus and so can even help to clear up cold sores.
Myrtle oil
A 2018 study found that myrtle essential oil can reduce signs of acne on the skin as well as get rid of excess sebum, and oily substance found on the surface of the skin. It is also an astringent, tightening skin and making us appear more youthful.
Sage oil
Sage essential oil’s anti-inflammatory properties have made it another popular treatment for acne and eczema. It is also antibacterial and antifungal, acting as a powerful natural face wash.
Tea tree oil
A study in 2017 documented tea tree’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects and found that they were able to significantly reduce the appearance of acne. Tea tree essential oil is generally known as a healing oil, helping skin to recover from infections and flare-ups.
Learn more about the benefits of tea tree essential oil.
If you’re looking for a way to deeply cleanse skin using essential oils, check out this guide to oil cleansing.
