Acne isn’t simply the skincare problem of the young and hormonal – from allergic reactions to bad weather flare-ups, our skin can still break out different ways well beyond adolescence!
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There are plenty of treatments like spot gel or drying lotions which we can use to banish our zits, but these can also take their toll on your skin. Luckily there’s one skincare solution that’s completely natural and less likely to trigger sensitive skin, and that’s essential oils!
Essential oils are the backbone of many of the most popular skincare products today, and by using them in their pure form, you can get all their benefits without any additives or irritating chemicals.
If you want to know what essential oils are good for acne, we made a quick guide to essential oils for pimples. Keep reading to find out why they work, where you can get them, and how they work on different kinds of acne.
The 8 Best Essential Oils For Acne
1. Tea Tree Oil
Shrink Your Pimples With This Antibacterial Oil
Shop: Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil, $25 at Chemist Warehouse.
Tea tree oil has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is one of the best essential oils for acne. It kills any bacteria that may be making your skin break out and helps your pimples dry out and gradually vanish. Although, it is a very powerful antiseptic, so use it sparingly on the affected spots, then top it off with a moisturiser to keep the area from completely drying out.
2. Peppermint Oil
Use Peppermint To Clear Up Clogged Pores
Shop: Thursday Plantation Peppermint oil, $13.35, from Chemist Warehouse
Peppermint oil is another natural treatment that can reduce the swelling and inflammation of bacterial acne. Irritated pores can result in visible blackheads, which are particularly visible on pale skin and can be just as unsightly as pimples! The menthol in peppermint oil treats this by decongesting your skin and reducing redness.
3. Rosemary Oil
No More Oily Skin With This Essential Oil!
Shop: Now Foods Rosemary Oil, $9.75, from iHerb
Rosemary oil is excellent at managing sebum production, which means your pores will be clearer and your skin will be a lot less oily. It’s anti-inflammatory as well, so it treats redness from frequent breakouts and reduces puffiness without causing further irritation.
4. Frankincense Oil
Best For Dry Or Scarred Skin
Shop: Frankincense Pure Essential Oil, $38 from Eco Modern Essentials.
Dry skin is vulnerable to getting irritated and flaring up into a full-on cluster of pimples. Frankincense is known for being gentle on virtually every skin type, relieving sensitive, dry skin, and healing scars caused by popped pimples.
5. Oregano Oil
Perfect As A Natural Spot Treatment
Shop: doTerra Oregano Oil, $42.33 at doTerra
Antiseptic and antibacterial, this essential oil is best used as a spot treatment for pimples that are already on the surface of your skin. Dilute it with a carrier oil like jojoba and dab it gently on your spots to help your acne dry out.
6. Eucalyptus Oil
Helps Your Pimples Pop And Heal Properly
Shop: Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil, $17.99 from Chemist Warehouse
Acne boils and pus-filled pimples can be very painful. What eucalyptus oil does is help these pimples burst and dry out safely. Eucalyptus oil is calming, antimicrobial, and great at preventing infections, so popped pimples can heal without any danger of further wounding or spreading bacterial acne.
7. Lavender Oil
A Top Choice For Soothing Cysts And Itchy Breakouts
Shop: Now Foods Essential Lavendar Oil, $12.14 from iHerb
Cystic acne doesn’t respond to your average spot treatment, as these pimples lurk deep beneath the skin and can take weeks to surface. Lavender oil is a gentle, antimicrobial solution that will calm painful cysts and help them gradually surface, without irritating the rest of your skin.
Bonus: it also puts you in a calm mood and improves your sleep cycle, which can reduce the frequency of breakouts in the first place!
8. Lemon Oil
Prevent Pimples And Exfoliate Your Skin
Shop: doTerra Lemon Oil, $18, from doTerra
Full of antioxidants and skin-brightening Vitamin C, lemon oil can help clarify your skin and de-clog your pores so you don’t break out. It’s also good at speeding up skin healing, as it is a natural mild exfoliant that keeps wounds free of microbes.
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