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Why Are Essential Oils Becoming Popular Acne Treatments?
Acne is a perennial skin problem that affects people of all ages. There are plenty of treatments on the market which promise to banish your zits, however, some of these can have harsh or drying effects on the skin, so even if your pimples disappear, your skin may feel dry and irritated. Others have allergens which can make a skin condition worse.
Essential oils offer a much milder, completely natural solution to your skincare woes. We all want to get rid of our acne, but not at the cost of damaging the rest of our face! Different essential oils can treat different kinds of acne without the irritants of skincare with other added ingredients. Cystic acne that hides under the skin’s surface can benefit from a stimulating oil, while pimples that are already out and filled with pus need a calming oil to help them dry out.
When used properly, the right essential oil can prevent pimples and treat breakouts whenever they pop-up. Here are eight pimple-fighting essential oils that you might want to use in your skincare routine!
The 8 Best Essential Oils For Acne
1. Tea Tree Oil
Shrink Your Pimples With This Antibacterial Oil
Price: $AUD6.99 here at Priceline.
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
Price: $AUD35.32 here at doTerra.
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!
Price: $AUD28.68 here at doTerra.
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.
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4. Frankincense Oil
Best For Dry Or Scarred Skin
Price: $AUD38 here at 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
Price: $AUD42.33 here 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.
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6. Eucalyptus Oil
Helps Your Pimples Pop And Heal Properly
Price: $AUD10.07 here at Evitamins.
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
Price: $AUD12.99 here at Chemist Warehouse.
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
Price: $AUD18 here at 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.
When Should I Not Use Essential Oils On My Acne?
While essential oils are great for acne, some people are allergic to certain oils and plants, and it might aggravate their skin conditions. This is especially common in people who already have pollen allergies. If you notice that you are getting rashes or a runny nose after you dab some essential oil on your face, stop using the oil immediately!
If you’re not sure what’s causing your pimples, or if your pimples are a recurring problem, you should always consult a dermatologist to get to the bottom of it. Essential oils, when used carefully, do so much more good than harm, but it’s always better to let a professional know so they can help you manage your treatment effectively.
