How to Treat Acne Prone Skin with Essential Oils

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By Arathi
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The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

Mild to moderate acne can be treated effectively with essential oils. Even though essential oils are natural, research has proved that they are as potent in healing moderate acne as prescription acne medications. Unlike prescription medications, the side effects of flaking and irritation are completely avoided when using essential oils, even though they take slightly longer to heal existing acne. Taking a proactive approach is best when treating acne prone skin with essential oils. Identifying the essential oils that work and using them in a carrier oil or other formulation most suitable for a skin type is key in preventing breakouts in acne prone skin. Here is how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Tea tree essential oil
Lavender essential oil
Juniper essential oil
Geranium essential oil
Cedarwood essential oil
Grapeseed or Jojoba oil

Step 1

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to an unscented cleanser and moisturizer to fight acne. Use 100% pure tea tree oil from a reputed company for best results. An essential oil from Australia, tea tree oil is known for its wide ranging antimicrobial and anti fungal properties. A recent study showed that a tea tree oil gel worked as well 5% benzoyl peroxide in fighting mild to moderate acne with fewer side effects. Also, several products, from cleansers to moisturizers and facial masks made with tea tree oil are available in the market to fight acne and blemishes.
Step 2

Use a q-tip dipped in lavender essential oil directly on acne. Dab gently and sparingly on the lesion. Lavender oil is one of the few essential oils that is considered safe to use undiluted. Alternatively add a drop of lavender essential oil to an unscented moisturizer to prevent future breakouts by controlling oiliness of skin.
Step 3

Add a few drops of juniper essential oil to witch hazel or distilled water to make an acne fighting toner. Known to be highly astringent and antiseptic, juniper essential oil helps fight acne, and calms down the associated redness and inflammation.
Step 4

Make a facial treatment with a blend of geranium, lavender, tea tree, and cedarwood essential oils in a base oil like grapeseed, jojoba or apricot kernel oil. Use 10 drops of lavender and tea tree essential oils, 5 drops of geranium and cedarwood essential oils, and blend with one fourth ounce of a carrier oil like jojoba oil. Store in a glass bottle, and use a drop or two of this blend on acne prone areas.
Step 5

Decleor Ylang Ylang Aromaessence

Use a pre blended essential oil facial treatment specially formulated to treat oily, acne prone, and problem skin from natural skin care lines like Burt's Bees, Yonka and Decleor. A cocktail of several essential oils like ylang ylang, geranium, lemon,and rosemary essential oils, these products are extremely effective in clearing, calming, and preventing acne.