Essential Oils For Rosacea Skin Care

Using essential oils for rosacea skin care can help control the redness and pimples of this skin condition. Useful essential oils include German chamomile, rosemary, and lavender.

Skin with rosacea is already sensitive, and some sources recommend using essential oil in a one percent or less dilution (that is, 1 drop of essential oil in 99 drops of carrier oil or 6 drops essential oil in 2 tablespoons carrier oil). But you can experiment, testing what works best for you without causing irritation.

Calming Inflammation

Because rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition, look for essential oils that calm inflammation. According to Dr. Josh Axe (who has a long article about dealing with rosacea), essential oils found to relieve skin inflammation and nourish sensitive skin are:

• Eucalyptus
• Geranium
• German or Roman Chamomile
• Lavender
• Rose
• Rosemary  
• Tea tree
• Thyme  
  

Axe recommends blending 3 drops of essential oil with 1/2 teaspoon of carrier oil. Apply this blend to the affected areas two or three times a day.

Note this dilution is a higher concentration than the one percent mentioned above — use your good judgment in choosing a dilution. If in doubt, start with a more diluted blend. You can always move to a higher concentration of essential oils if you're confident it's OK for your skin.

Other essential oils for rosacea that might help include:

• Helichrysum not only helps relieve inflammation but may also help rejuvenate damaged skin.
• Neroli (also called orange blossom) may help regenerate skin cells and tone sensitive skin.
• Cistus (also known as rock rose) may help skin cells regenerate.
• Rosewood may improve skin elasticity.
• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Patchouli
• Sandalwood

Carrier Oils For Rosacea Skin Care

Commonly recommended carrier oils are sweet almond and jojoba. Other carrier oils that may help relieve rosacea include tamanu, evening primrose, and coconut. Some people find aloe vera gel works well.

Relief Spray Using Essential Oils For Rosacea

Combine ingredients in a two-ounce spray bottle:

• 3 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 3 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 1/4 cup distilled water
  

Shake well. Lightly mist affected areas on your face several times a day, avoiding eyes and mouth.

Source: Essential Oils For Healing

You can also blend a similar oil-based version:

• 20 drops sandalwood
• 20 drops frankincense
• 20 drops helichrysum
• 5 drops rosemary
• 60 drops fractionated coconut oil or grapeseed oil

Light Moisturizing Lotion for Rosacea Skin

Blend the following ingredients in a glass container:

• 100 ml (about 7-3/4 tablespoons) organic unscented moisturizing lotion
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops cypress essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops neroli essential oil
• 2 drops rose essential oil

Use the lotion as desired. Store it in a tightly closed container.

Source: Base Formula

Hydrosols For Rosacea

If your skin is too sensitive for even highly diluted essential oils, consider using aromatherapy hydrosols. Hydrosols are the by-product of steam distilling plant materials to make essential oils. Hydrosols are very gentle and can provide some relief.

Try one of these hydrosols: German chamomile, geranium, lavender, neroli (orange blossom), or rose. Simply splash the hydrosol on your face as a toner.

More Rosacea Skin Care Information

Don't use alcohol or soap on skin affected by rosacea, and don't exfoliate.

For more in-depth information, including several aromatherapy recipes, see Aromatherapy for Rosacea at the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies.

Photo Credit: hr.icio/Flickr CC2