How to Use Essential Oils for Acne Skin Care

One of the most commonly suggested essential oils for acne is tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). The Medical Journal of Australia published a study that found a gel containing 5% tea tree oil treated acne as effectively as a lotion containing 5% benzoyl peroxide (a standard medical treatment), with far fewer side effects.

Most people can dab a little tea tree oil directly onto pimples, unless you have sensitive skin. If you have never used tea tree, spot test first to make sure you don't have a bad reaction. You can also dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil—a 5% dilution is 5 drops tea tree in 1 teaspoon carrier oil.

Here's an intensive way to deal with acne from Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art:

1. Blend 25 drops of tea tree oil with 1/2 teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root to make a paste, adding a few drops of water if needed for the right consistency.
2. Apply the paste directly to your acne, let remain on skin for 10 to 20 minutes, and then rinse off.

Best Essential Oils for Acne

Although tea tree is generally considered the best essential oil for acne, other acne-relieving essential oils include lavender, german chamomile, geranium, and sandalwood. Try them if you have sensitive skin and tea tree oil alone is too strong for you.

If you have dry skin, the following essential oils for acne may work best:

• Clary sage
• Fennel
• Frankincense
• Juniper berry
• Patchouli
• Rosemary

Essential Oil Acne Blends

The following essential oil recipes give you some options for dealing with acne.

Day Oil

• 10 drops palmrosa essential oil
• 10 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 5 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 8 teaspoons jojoba oil

Combine ingredients in a 2-ounce glass dropper bottle. Cap and shake well.

To use: Shake. Apply 3 to 4 drops to your face. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes and then use a tissue to blot off surplus oil. Do not get in eyes.

Night Oil

• 10 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 5 drops palmrosa essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops evening primrose or rosehip seed oil
• 1/4 (60 ml) cup kukui nut oil
  

Combine the evening primrose and essential oils in a 2-ounce glass dropper bottle. Fill bottle with kukui nut oil. Cap and shake well.

To use: Shake. Apply 3 to 4 drops to your face. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes and then use a tissue to blot off surplus oil. Do not get in eyes.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Premenstrual Acne Essential Oil Blend

From Healing With Aromatherapy:

• 7 drops clary sage essential oil
• 4 drops geranium essential oil
• 1 drop palmarosa essential oil
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) grapeseed oil

Apply to your skin morning and night.

Toners

For a simple tea tree toner:

• 1/4 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 1 teaspoon tea tree essential oil

1. Pour all ingredients into a clean, dark bottle with a tight-fitting cap and shake well.
2. Shake before each use. Apply to face with a clean cotton ball.

Source: EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs

Essential Oil Toner for Acne

• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops german chamomile essential oil
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons distilled water

1. Combine the ingredients in a dark glass bottle.
2. Shake well and apply to skin with a cotton ball.

Source: Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home

Toner Without Tea Tree Oil

• 1/2 cup geranium or lavender hydrosol
• 1/4 cup distilled or filtered water
• 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
• 5 drops geranium essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops niaouli essential oil

Combine all ingredients in an 8-ounce glass bottle. Close bottle and shake well. Store in a cool, dark place.

To use: Pour a little on a damp cotton ball and dab on face.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Hydrosol Toner for Acne

Hydrosols are a by-product of the steam distillation of essential oils and are gentler than the oils, making hydrosols a good option for people with very sensitive skin.

For toner for skin with acne, The Essential Guide to Natural Skin Care suggests:

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) rosemary verbenone hydrosol
• 1/3 ounce (2 teaspoons) true lavender hydrosol
• 1/3 ounce (2 teaspoons) lemon balm hydrosol

Blend hydrosols in a small, dark spray bottle. Lightly mist face.

It's OK to keep this toner on the bathroom counter, away from direct sunlight, for one to two months. Otherwise, store the toner in the refrigerator.

DIY Face Masks for Acne

Before applying a mask, wash your skin with warm water and pat dry. Don't use a mask too often (once a week max) or you may make the acne worse. Always spot test a mask before using it on a large area to make sure you don't have an adverse reaction.

An acne face mask can be as simple as combining tea tree essential oil with one ingredient. For example, make a mask by blending 1 to 2 drops tea tree with one of the following:

• 1/4 of an avocado, mashed
  
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  
• 1 teaspoon rhassoul clay, plus enough distilled water to make a thin paste

Tea tree oil is the active ingredient, so you can combine it with any carrier that's safe to put on your face.

Clay Acne Face Mask

"Clay masks are great for acne prone oily skin as the clay draws out the impurities from deep in the pores," according to dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in a Bustle article. A clay mask will help active breakouts heal faster.

Here's a mask recipe from Healing With Aromatherapy:

• 1.5 teaspoons green clay
• 1/3 teaspoon grapeseed oil
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil
• Aromatherapy hydrosol or distilled water
  

1. Combine first three ingredients.
2. Add enough water or hydrosol to make a creamy paste.
3. Apply the paste to your face, leave on for 15 minutes, and then rinse off.

Acne and Oily Skin Face Mask

• 2 teaspoons cosmetic clay of choice
• 2 drops petitgrain or lemongrass essential oil
• 1 drop tea tree essential oil
• about 3 teaspoons strong herbal tea or low-fat yogurt

1. Whisk together clay and essential oils in a small bowl.
2. Stir in enough tea or yogurt to create a paste of desired consistency.
3. Apply mask to clean, damp face. (Throw out any leftover portion.)
4. Leave mixture on for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Wash face with warm water. Apply toner and moisturizer.

Source: The Big Book Of Essential Oil Recipes For Beauty

Kaolin Clay Mask

Here's a mask without tea tree:

• 4 teaspoons finely ground almond meal
• 2 teaspoons kaolin clay
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 drop juniper essential oil
• 1 drop roman chamomile essential oil
• 1 drop lavender essential oil
• distilled or filtered water

1. In a small bowl, combine the almond meal, clay, and essential oils.
2. Stir in just enough water to make a soft paste.
3. Spread the mask over your face, avoiding the eyes.
4. Rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash off the mask with lukewarm water.
   

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

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