How to Use Essential Oils for Acne

There are many essential oils that can help in the treatment and prevention of acne blemishes. Those include tea tree, lavender, geranium and lemon oils. Use these separately or together, as ingredients in skin tonics, steam treatments or blemish lotions. Essential oils can help acne blemishes clear up faster and not become infected, which can increase scarring. Here are some ways to use essential oils for acne.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Spa facial clay
• Honey
• Yogurt
• Geranium oil
• Oatmeal
• Sour cream
• Lemon juice
• Aloe vera gel
• Lavender oil
• Lemongrass or tea tree oil
• Calendula or marigold petals
• Bergamot oil

1. Combine 1 tsp. spa facial clay with 1 tsp. honey and 1 tsp. yogurt. Mix well and add 1 drop of geranium essential oil. Blend again. Before applying to the skin, make sure to cleanse thoroughly. If possible, steam the face to open pores. The mask can be spread on any skin where acne appears: face, neck, chest and back. On the face, avoid the skin around the eyes. Pat the mixture onto the skin and leave on for one hour. Rinse off in the shower or use a warm washcloth on the face and neck to remove the mask. Splash with cool water to close the pores.
2. Grind 1 tsp. oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor to form a smooth powder. Mix with 2 tbsp. sour cream and 1 tsp. lemon juice. Add 1 drop lemon essential oil and combine well. Use the mixture immediately. Cleanse skin on the face and neck, then spread the mixture on acne blemishes, keeping away from the eyes. Relax for 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. Discard any unused portion.
3. Create a natural gel to treat acne. Combine ¼ cup aloe vera gel with 10 drops geranium oil, 10 lavender oil and 6 drops lemongrass oil or tea tree oil. Blend all the oils and gel together thoroughly and apply to blemish areas twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizer. Do not use around the eyes. Can be used under makeup or alone.
4. Mix 5 drops each of lavender oil, tea tree oil and lemon essential oil in a small bottle of amber or blue glass. The darkened glass keeps light from deteriorating the oil essences. Shake to mix before using. Dip a cotton swab into the oil and dot on blemishes several times a day. Do not rub, but allow the oil to be absorbed by the skin. Do not use around the eyes.
5. Measure 1/2 cup calendula or marigold petals into 3 cups boiling water. Remove from heat; cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Then add 3 drops lavender oil, 2 drops bergamot oil, 1 drop tea tree oil and 2 tsp. honey. Stir to mix. Pour the hot mixture into a large bowl and lean over it to expose the face and neck to the steam, keeping the eyes closed. Drape a towel over the head to keep in the steam as long as possible. Do this until the water has cooled. Dry skin with a clean towel and apply a light moisturizer.