Although oily skin and acne are conditions usually equated with adolescents, it is a problem that can affect people of all ages. Along with exercise, appropriate diet changes, and similar steps to improve the body's overall health, aromatherapy and the use of therapeutic essential oils can play a vital role in the treatment of acne.
Essential Oils Appropriate for Oily or Acne Skin
According to Aromatherapy for Women, by Maggie Tisserand (Healing Arts Press, 1996), the following oils are beneficial for use in an acne remedy:
- lavender
- bergamot
- neroli
- sandalwood
- tea tree
- ylang-ylang
- ravensara
- lemon
- naiouli
- eucalyptus
Alternately, The Complete Book of Essential Oil & Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood (New World Library, 1991), recommends the following for acne skin:
For severe problem skin:
- chamomile (both types)
- yarrow
- myrrh
- rose
- palma rosa
- carrot
For more moderate acne problems:
- bergamot
- calendula
- lavender
- eucalyptus radiata
- tea tree
- clary-sage
- thyme linalol
- geranium
Clearly, there is some amount of overlay, and these oils are probably the best starting point, though one person's skin, and the cause of the acne, may respond better to one treatment, while the next person will respond to something completely different.
Essential Oil Blends for Acne Treatment
These blends are a good place to start for acne treatment.
- 12 drops cypress
- 13 d. lemon
or
- 14 d. bergamot
- 6 d. juniper
- 5 d. cypress
in 50 mL base oil
- 2 d. cypress
- 2 d. lemon
- 1 d. lavender
or
- 2 d. bergamot
- 1 d. cypress
- 1 d. juniper
in 2 tsp. base oil
Daytime oil:
- 15 d. lavender
- 5 d. eucalyptus radiata
- 5 d. clary-sage
- 5 d. thyme linalol
- 5 d. carrot
- 3 tbs. almond oil
Night oil:
- 30 d. evening primrose oil
- 20 d. carrot
- 10 d. bergamot
- 10 d. eucalyptus radiata
- 5 d. lavender
- 5 d. geranium
- 3 tbs. almond oil
Any of these blends should be applied gently, then blotted with tissue after about five minutes, after thoroughly cleansing the face with real soap (as opposed to commercial detergent or cleansing bars) and rinsed thoroughly. Approximately one teaspoon of the following blend, or another similar one, should be added to the final rinse:
- 4 oz. apple cider vinegar
- 20 d. lavender
- 20 d. eucalyptus
If a thorough cleansing with soap is not needed, the following herbal water can be used on cotton wool to clean most surface dirt:
- 6 d. bergamot
- 4 d. lavender
- 100 mL water
Shake well before every use.
Related Articles
- Basic Acne Treatment - Simple Natural Tips on How to Get Rid of Acne: Problem acne skin can afflict anyone - oily skin or dry skin, old or young; luckily there are a number of simple steps to take to help with acne treatment.
- Overview of Carrier Oils - Quick Glossary of Aromatherapy Base Oils: Choosing the right base oil is almost as important as the choices of essential oils.
Genevieve Kiger - Genevieve is passionate about all manner of natural subjects; herbs, herbalism, aromatherapy, and general natural health and body care.
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