As an acne-prone teenager, I used a wide range of products, which were available at the time. Most were purchased at the local drugstore. They’d invariably dry parts of my face and cause my skin to flake. But they never helped my blemishes.
A couple of times, I used a prescription medication. This was a disaster. The active ingredient was a Vitamin A derivative. I was warned this could irritate and redden my skin, and temporarily make my pimples worse. (Guess what happened?)
Also, I had to be very careful not to spend too much time in the sun. This pharmaceutical raises your risk of developing a nasty burn.
I hoped this drug would clear my skin. But it only seemed to make it worse. Perhaps it might have helped, if I’d used it longer. But I wasn’t able to, because I was a teenager. I couldn’t stand looking terrible, even if it was just temporary.
Essential Oil Acne Spot Treatment
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Of course, all of this happened back in the dark ages. That was before people once again discovered essential oils. Now, there are special aromatic blends made just for acne. As the year 2,000 dawned, these centuries-old remedies suddenly resurfaced. Now, with the growth of the Internet, more people are learning about them and exchanging various acne-healing recipes online.
Essential Oils For Acne Prone Skin
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. They contain natural anti-inflammatory agents. They can also kill germs. One of the best oils for acne is lavender (available here). Lavender is very gentle. But it also fights bacteria. So, if you have acne, essential oils can help improve your skin. (Don’t forget about the important of eating a healthy diet as well, so your acne can heal from the inside out.)
Occasionally, even though I’m now a middle-aged mom, I still get the occasional breakout. When this happens, it’s lavender oil to the rescue.
As I mentioned earlier, you can also find essential oil blends designed for acne. The blend below is made by Plant Therapy, a company I trust implicitly. I use its oils myself, so I feel confident recommending them to my readers.
Essential Oil Acne Treatment
One of the things I love about the Internet is that people can pass along tips on natural remedies. Essential oils have a long track-record of use, for treating a variety of ailments. Some of these aromatics have a special affinity for the skin. Lavender and tea tree oil are two that do. But there are other essential oils often recommended for breakouts, including the mix of oils in the Zit Fighter Synergy Blend shown below. It contains geranium, cedar, grapefruit, peppermint, rosemary and Roman chamomile oils.
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Essential Oil Recipe For Acne
Through the years, various aromatherapy recipes have been developed. Certain oils work well together, and appear to create a synergy, each boosting the effect of the others. This is why aromatherapists often like to suggest various blends of oils.
If you already own essential oils, it’s also easy to make your own acne-fighting recipe.
Here’s one recipe that might help acne prone skin. Make sure to do a test patch on your stomach or on your neck before using it on your face. Never apply an essential oil directly to your skin, without diluting it in a neutral carrier oil. Also, please understand that I’m not a medical professional, so I cannot give medical advice or promise that any one treatment or product will work.
2 ounces of alcohol free witch hazel (available here).
3 drops of tea tree oil (available here)
3 drops of lavender oil (available here)
Mix these together and store in a tightly sealed glass jar, away from heat and sunlight. Apply with a Q-tip and use as a spot treatment for acne.
Treating Acne With Essential Oils
If you don’t feel like mixing your own acne solution, a number of ready-made products, designed for acne, contain natural essential oils as active ingredients. This seems far better than using solutions with chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide. Although this compound has not been linked to cancer in humans, it is known to promote the growth of skin tumors in mice. Benzoyl peroxide is also very harsh, and it can irritate the skin. With acne, you are trying to heal the skin.
Another natural acne product is Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick. This is made with plant-based ingredients, for when you need to banish a pimple (or pimples) quickly. Two of the ingredients are lavender and tea tree oils. This stick also contains aloe vera, jojoba oil, citrus oil and other plant extracts.
Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick
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All Natural Face Soap Acne
My teenage daughter (surprise, surprise) also has acne prone skin. At one point, in desperation, we even tried a chemical-based product, widely advertised on TV. She tried it for a week or so, but felt it wasn’t helping. That’s just as well, as it contained the questionable benzoyl peroxide. I also wasn’t crazy about the hard sell from the company, along with the fact that monthly shipments are sent automatically.
There are a number of other acne kits made from essential oils. But one product that seems to have helped her skin tremendously, isn’t even designed for acne. This is Dr Woods castile liquid soap, made with peppermint oil and other plant-based ingredients.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
