Acne is one common skin problem many people experience at different stages of their lives, and essential oil for pimples is one of the treatment options available to them. While acne creams, zits and lotions may work effectively, many of them have chemicals that may wear down your skin cells. Also, only very few of them are 100% organic, but the best essential oil for acne is natural and will not trigger allergies or reactions if used as a treatment solution.
Essential oils have been around for a very long time, but it is only recently many are beginning to realize just how efficacious they can be in treating acne. When applied in their life form with a carrier oil, they do not cause any negative skin reaction, nor do they irritate the skin. Keep reading to find out all there is to know about essential oil for acne and the best oils you can use today.
Do Essential Oils work on Acne?
Essential oils contain several anti-bacteria and anti-inflammatory compounds that are all organic. If you apply it on your face where you have acne, the compounds will get to work to eliminate the bacteria causing the acne. Furthermore, essential oil compounds also aid the healing process by stimulating the regeneration of new cells to replace dead ones.
Dermatologists and the medical community, in general, are still learning more about essential oils and discovering new uses for them by the day. However, one oil that has been studied in depth is Tea tree oil which has observable benefits. Besides Tea tree oil, other essential oils are showing great promise as an effective treatment against acne.
Although some will argue that essential oils may cause discomfort if used without dilution, they still remain much gentler on the skin compared to chemical-based products that contain harsher ingredients that may take a toll on the skin.
How quickly do essential oils work?
Unlike popular pole creams that work really fast and you begin to see visible signs in 2-3 days, essential oils take more time for the sign to become evident. When applied properly, your skin will begin to show visible signs of improvement in a matter of weeks. And the good thing about these signs is that they are permanent in most cases.
Once the pimple clears, the scars or marks left behind will be wiped off by the essential oil for pimples. In other cases, regular application of the essential oil may even lead to a drastic reduction in the intensity of acne outbreaks you experience.
Do Essential Oils remove acne scars?
Many people who suffer from severe acne outbreaks also have to deal with the scars that come along with the problem. For now, it has not been proven whether essential oils can remove even scars and, if they can, to what extent. However, many users claim that they do remove scars.
But we know that specially formulated OTC medications that contain oils like Rosemary and Lavender treat scars. But these OTC products contain other active agents, and it remains unknown to which degree these agents contribute to the elimination of the scars.
Now that we have espoused the importance and effectiveness of essential oils let us go a step further to review some of the best essential oil for acne. Some of the oils we will review below might be known or unknown to you, but they are very effective all the same.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is one of the most tested essential oils of the lot, and there are reports to back its effectiveness as one of the best oils for acne. This oil contains anti-inflammatory agents that kill bacteria that trigger acne breakouts and cause skin breakage. When applied religiously on your pimples, they will dry out and fade away with time. The oil is very potent and should not be used alone but mixed with a milder carrier oil. Applying water on the surface before applying the oil is another way to reduce its potency.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a very popular option today, and just like Tea tree oil, it is widely used in many skincare and beauty products. Peppermint oil contains menthol and anti-bacterial properties. It reduces swelling, reduces skin irritation and wipes out ugly blackheads and pimples. This essential oil reduces skin redness and clears out the skin.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is an essential choice for people with oily skin who suffer regular pimple outbreaks. If your skin produces a lot of sebum, your skin will be very oily, thereby creating a fertile ground for pimple outbreaks. What this essential oil does is reduce the production of sebum. The effect of this will be reduced anti-inflammation, puffiness and regular breakouts.
Frankincense Oil
This one is one of the oldest essential oil known to man, but it is not as widely used as other essential oils. However, Frankincense oil remains a very effective treatment for pimples. It has a gentle effect on the skin and gross scars left behind after the pimple wipe out. Also, Frankincense is safe for all skin types.
Oregano Oil
Next is oregano oil, popularly used for the treatment of pimples spots. This oil is commonly found in skincare products but is one of the least used oil as a natural application. Oregano mixed with jojoba oil will dry out the pimple and remove the spots.
Eucalyptus Oil
If you want to wipe out the acne that is plaguing you so much, eucalyptus might just be your best bet. Terrible puss-filled acne can ruin your looks and leave ugly marks behind. But with eucalyptus oil, this condition can be a thing of the past. This oil will safely burst and dry out the pimples quickly. At the same time, it prevents infections or allows the broken skin to degenerate into a boil or wound. Eucalyptus oil prevents acne from spreading further.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is perhaps the most popular essential oil to date. This oil is an effective antimicrobial treatment solution for painful acne and cyst that refuse to go away. Lavender has a calming effect on the skin and helps to remove blackheads and whiteheads.
Lemon Oil
Lemon is a popular ingredient in many skin whitening creams because it contains Vitamin C and antioxidants. As a natural skin application treatment, it unclogs the skin to reduce or prevent acne breakouts. Lemon oil exfoliates the skin and frees it of microbes.
How to use essential oils to treat acne and pimple outbreaks
If you want to use essential oil for acne, you need to remember that using the oil is not all that matters but using it rightly. Secondly, you need to understand that essential oils are very potent and may trigger allergies. This is why you are advised to always mix yours with a carrier oil before you use it to reduce the potency. Some very good carrier oil you can use include
- Grapeseed oil
- Olive oil
- Almond oil
Thirdly, rather than apply the oil on your entire skin, just apply it on only a small section of your skin and watch out for any reaction. It is only when you are sure that your skin is open to it that you apply it to your entire body.
You also have to know that using essential oils may lead to three clogging of your skin pores. So to avoid such a situation, avoid mixing with carrier oils like coconut oils. You also want to use carrier oils with mild fragrances to avoid triggering an inflammation.
With that out of the way, here are ways to use essential oil for pimples
As a spot treatment formula
Dealing with facial spots caused by pimples? You can use essential oils to remove them naturally without harming your skin. Just blend 10 drops of rosemary oil with any carrier oil of your choice. Then dip a cotton swab in the mixture and apply it to the pimples. Leave to dry, then apply a face mask 30 minutes later.
As a face mask
You can also use essential oils for pimples as a face mask if you want to treat every single inch of your face. Tea tree and Rosemary oils are very effective as face masks. All you have to do is mix 2 or 3 drops of tea tree or rosemary oil with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply on your face but avoid your eyes. Leave to dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Benefits of using essential oils
There are loads of benefits to using essential oils to treat acne. These benefits include.
Reduce aging
The Cosmetics industry generates billions of dollars on sales every year globally, selling anti-aging creams and lotions. Humans place a great value on youth, and youth is linked to beauty. Some essential oils like clary, rosemary, thyme and oregano oils have anti-aging properties. These properties protect the skin from damage caused by UV sun rays, air pollution and free radicals.
They also stimulate the production of new cells to reduce wrinkling. Frankincense, lemon and sandalwood are good anti-wrinkling essential oils.
Dark spot removal
The bad thing about pimples is that ever after they varnish, they leave behind dark spots that may disfigure the face. But hyperpigmentation can be reduced with the right oils. Antioxidant properties like carrot seed and pomegranate work to protect the skin from damage by free radicals. Some even reduce the production of melanin, thereby having a lightening effect on the skin.
A natural acne Treatment
Medicated products work, but they contain chemicals and tough agents that may harm the skin or cause skin redness or irritation. This is because some of their properties are inorganic. Acids like alpha hydroxy and salicylic acid are very good at cleansing the skin of impurities but off your skin is sensitive, it may react to these solutions.
But you can turn to essential oils as a useful alternative. You get the benefits of cleaning and healing your skin without any negative effects.
The best essential oil for acne and pimples can help you address frequent breakouts, dirt buildup and ugly scars. If used properly and consistently, you should begin to notice results within a few weeks.
