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How to Use Essential Oils for Couperose Skin

Couperose skin is indicated by redness of the face as a result of dilated, and sometimes broken, capillaries near the surface of the skin. Essential oils for couperose relief may help you control the redness and nourish sensitive skin. Suggested oils include:

Helichrysum
Roman or german chamomile
Rose
Orange
Neroli
Lavender
Carrot seed

Couperose Skin vs. Rosacea

What is couperose skin? It looks similar to rosacea but doesn't include the acne-like bumps and pustules you usually get with rosacea. Couperose mostly affects the skin's surface layers and may be caused by aging, genetics, hormone changes, or sunlight exposure or other environmental circumstance.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that includes facial redness, visible blood vessels, and often acne-like breakouts, thickened skin, eye irritation, and itchy, dry burning sensations. The exact cause is unknown but is generally thought to include a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors, such as sun exposure, wind, and cold weather.

Creams and lotions are available for couperose skin treatment, though their effectiveness varies widely. According to Top Doctors UK, the best option is intense pulsed light (IPL). Also used for treating rosacea and removing hair, IPL involves applying a gel to the skin and then moving the IPL machine over the treatment area. Laser light passes through the skin without damaging it so that heat reaches the broken capillaries, causing blood to clot, gradually getting rid of the dilated blood vessels.

Couperose Essential Oil Blends

Gently apply one of the following blends for couperose to your face two or three times a day.

Aromatherapy Beauty Blend 1

1 teaspoon tamanu oil
1 teaspoon rosehip seed oil
5 drops helichrysum essential oil
5 drops cypress essential oil

Aromatherapy Beauty Blend 2

3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
6 drops german chamomile essential oil
2 drops yarrow essential oil
1 drop rosemary verbenone essential oil
2 tablespoons hazelnut oil
2 teaspoons wheat germ oil

Sources: The Essential Guide to Natural Skin Care and Healing With Aromatherapy

Redness Calming Oil

2 tablespoons argan oil
2 drops carrot seed essential oil
1 drop helichrysum italicum essential oil
1 drop rose essential oil or rose absolute

2 tablespoons argan oil
3 drops frankincense essential oil
1 drop helichrysum italicum essential oil
1 drop german chamomile essential oil

Make this face oil in a 1-ounce (30 ml) bottle. Combine the argan oil and essential oils, and shake gently to blend. Apply a few drops to your face once or twice a day. You can also use this oil on your neck and upper chest.

Source: Aromahead

More Couperose Aromatherapy Recipes

Make sure any product you use on couperose skin is gentle.

Toner With Essential Oils for Couperose

1/4 cup rosewater
1/4 cup aloe vera juice
1/4 teaspoon glycerin
1 drop rose essential oil
1 drop neroli essential oil

Blend the ingredients in a glass bottle. Either use a spray bottle or use cotton swabs to apply the toner to your face.
Shake well before using.

Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

The book also offers the following tips for couperose skin:

Never use a cold water splash.
Generally, avoid steaming your face, except for very short periods using only moderate heat.
Exfoliate gently. Avoid facial scrubs, which can lead to more broken capillaries.
Use gentle facial masks made from fruit, yogurt, or honey. If you use clay masks, make sure they contain soothing ingredients such as hydrosols or oils. Blue clay is the best choice.