Anyone can get acne, be it, men or women. Men are more likely to suffer from acne scarring. However, the prevalence of acne in adult women is more as compared to adult men. People often turn to chemical laden cosmetic products for the treatment of acne which results in either having no effect at all or making acne even worse. It is better to look for natural remedies for the treatment of acne. If you dig a little into natural remedies for acne you would have one of the best acne curing solutions i.e. essential oils. There has been a huge popularity of essential oils for acne recently. It’s all natural oil which would not only help you get acne free skin but also gives you flawless and glowing skin.
Acne is one of the most common skin condition encountered by people. If we talk a little bit statistics then you would find that an estimated 80 percent of people between ages 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point (source). Like I mentioned earlier essential oils are one of the best natural, home remedies for acne. They have been used for thousands of years for their therapeutic and healing properties. The reason why essential oils are very popular for treating acne is that they get to the root of the problem and heals the skin.
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What Causes Acne?
Acne is caused when the sebaceous gland increases the production of sebum(oil) on the surface of the skin. The increased production of sebum block or clog the tiny holes in your skin called as pores. Now, these pores clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells is a breeding ground for bacteria. When the bacteria starts growing then it infects the pores and causes a little bump on your skin which is commonly referred to as a pimple.  If you do not treat it soon then it turns into acne. Acne can be painful and it could cause unpleasant breakouts on the face, back, chest or arms.
Now from the above explanation, it is clear that the main reasons for acne would be clogged pores, increased oil production, dead skin cells, and bacteria. There can be other reasons for acne such as hormones, unhealthy diet, stress and excessive use of chemical-laden cosmetic products. Some studies suggest that acne may also cause due to the genetic factor but there is not proper evidence found to support that fact.
Why Should You Use Essential Oils For Acne?
Essential oils are generally extracted from the plant by distillation, often by using steam. This is what makes essential oils a great curing solution for pimples and acne. You get an undiluted and pure oil. Essential oils have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. They have a very important place in Ayurveda when it comes to curing acne.
Essential oils have antibacterial properties that fight bacteria to prevent the development of acne breakouts on the skin. They contain anti-inflammatory properties which reduce swelling, redness, pain and soothes your skin. They have antiseptic properties which help in cleaning your acne affected area of skin and protect it from getting infected. They are also a great exfoliating agent, unclogging pores and removing dead cells and excess oil trapped in it. Besides curing your acne, essential oils are also very effective in alleviating the feeling of stress, anxiety, and depression. So let’s talk about the best essential oils that you can use to get rid of acne.
 10 Best Essential Oils For Acne
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil For Acne
Tea Tree oil is one of the popular oils for treating acne. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help in reducing swelling, redness, and pain. It has antibacterial properties that kill acne-causing bacteria living on the surface of the skin. It also protects your skin from fungal infections because of its antifungal properties.
A study was conducted on 124 patients to ascertain a comparative analysis of tea tree oil and benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne. It was found that the patients who used tea tree oil reported a significant reduction of acne as compared to the patients who used benzoyl peroxide(source).
Another study was conducted on a set of 60 patients having mild to moderate acne vulgaris. In this study, the whole group of patients was divided into two groups. one group used tea tree oil gel and the other group used the placebo. It was found that the tea tree oil gel was more effective in treating acne vulgaris(source).
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Jojoba Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of jojoba oil and mix 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil in it.
- Apply the mixture on your cleansed face. You can also use it as an overnight acne treatment.
- Repeat it once a day.
Why Does It Work
- Jojoba oil has antibacterial properties that fight the growth of harmful bacteria which could lead to acne breakouts. It contains vitamin A and vitamin E which are powerful antioxidants that prevent cell damage by fighting free radicals. Scientific research suggests that jojoba oil can help in healing skin lesion and mild acne (source).
2. Clary Sage Essential Oil For Acne
Clary sage essential oil is very effective for treating oily skin and acne. It regulates the sebum(oil) production in the skin. It has astringent properties which help in absorbing excess oil in the skin. It improves your skin appearance by minimizing the appearance of pores on your skin. It has antibacterial properties that prevent the spreading of acne breakouts by killing bacteria. It has anti-inflammatory properties which would help in reducing swelling, redness, and pain. It also prevents scarring.
According to a study, clary sage oil is found to have active antibacterial properties(source). Thus it could be your solution for acne.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Clary Sage Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and mix 2-3 drops of clary sage essential oil in it.
- Apply the mixture on your cleansed face. You can also use it as an overnight acne treatment.
- You can use it once or twice a day depending on the severity of your acne.
- Make sure you do not use the mixture more than twice a day.
Why Does It Work
- Aloe Vera is well known for its alkaline nature. It helps in balancing the pH of skin as an acidic skin is prone to acne. It is a great wound healer, especially on the face. It contains auxins and gibberellins which help in wound healing and reduce inflammation.
3. Juniper Berry Essential Oil For Acne
Juniper berry essential oil has a fresh and relaxing aroma which makes it a perfect oil for reducing stress. It has detoxifying properties which help in protecting your body from various toxins. It has antiseptic properties that protect your acne from infection. It has also antibacterial properties which kill acne-causing bacteria and prevent breakouts from spreading.
According to a study published in Pharmaceutical Development and Technology in 2005, juniper berry oil has antibacterial properties which can be applied topically as an anti-acne solution(source).
There is another study on juniper berry oil which suggests that it has antibacterial and antifungal properties(source). Hence we can say that it is one of the most effective essential oils for treating acne(source).
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Grapeseed Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of grapeseed oil and mix 2-3 drops of juniper berry essential oil in it. Now apply the mixture on your cleansed face.
- Apply it once a day.
Why Does It Work
- Grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid(the shortest-chained omega-6 fatty acids) that works best for oily skin and acne-prone skin. Scientific studies suggest that people having acne-prone skin tend to have low levels of linoleic acid in the skin (source). So, grapeseed oil can be one of the best carrier oil for acne prone and oily skin.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil For Acne
Eucalyptus oil is also loaded with antibacterial and antifungal which helps in killing the bacteria produced in pores. It also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which help in the soothing of skin and relieves the redness and size of acne. Oily skin is one of the main reason for acne so it becomes way too important to control the oil production in your skin. Eucalyptus oil helps in controlling sebum(oil) production in the skin which would expedite the treatment of acne.
As per a study conducted to investigate the effect of eucalyptus oil on sebaceous glands for the management of acne. It was found that eucalyptus oil is effective in decreasing the sebum production by reducing the size of sebaceous glands to control the spread of acne(source).
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Sunflower Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of sunflower oil and mix 2-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in it. Apply it on the affected area.
- You can use it once or twice a day depending on the severity of your acne.
- Make sure you do not use the mixture more than twice a day.
Why Does It Work
- Sunflower oil has antibacterial properties which makes it a perfect oil for acne. It has vitamin D which helps in reducing acne inflammation. It has vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E which have antioxidant properties and prevent cell damage. Besides protecting skin cells vitamin C also increases the production of collagen in the skin and helps in skin regeneration.
5. Lavender Essential Oil For Acne
Lavender oil is well known for its calming effect on nerves and reducing stress. As you know now stress can be one of the reasons for your acne, you can try lavender oil for treating your acne. As per a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, it was found that emotional stress can increase the severity of acne(source).
It has antibacterial and antifungal properties which would help in treating acne. It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help in healing your skin. As per a study lavender essential oil is found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities(source). It provides proper nourishment to your skin.
As per a study published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand in which Twenty healthy volunteers participated to investigate the effect of lavender oil on the emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity. It was found that lavender oil caused significant decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature, which indicated a decrease in autonomic arousal. In terms of mood responses, the participants in the lavender oil group categorized themselves as more active, fresher and relaxed(source).
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Argan Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Lavender Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of argan oil and mix 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil in it. Apply it on the affected area.
- If you want to use lavender oil for alleviating stress then you can simply diffuse 4-5 drops of oil at home.
- For topical application, you can take 2-3 drops of lavender oil on your palms and rub it on your temples, back of neck and wrists.
- Repeat it every day.
Why Does It Work
- Argan oil is rich in linoleic acids which helps in balancing sebum(oil) and treats oily skin. It is also a rich source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects skin cells from the harmful effects of free radicals to prevent skin aging.
6. Sandalwood Essential Oil For Acne
Sandalwood is a popular ingredient in Ayurveda for treatment of various skin ailments. It has been used for ages to treat acne and other skin ailments. It has powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial properties to fight acne. The antiseptic properties of sandalwood oil prevent popped pimple wounds from infection by killing bacteria. It also controls sebum(oil) production to prevent the blocking of pores. It has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe acne inflammation and redness.
Now, when it comes down to the best sandalwood oil for acne, Indian sandalwood oil is preferred by many experts. In one study it was found that Sandalwood album oil, also known as East Indian sandalwood oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties(source). Thus it would help you get rid of acne.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Rosehip Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Sandalwood Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of rosehip oil and mix 2-3 drops of sandalwood oil in it. Apply it on the affected area.
- You can use it twice a day.
Why Does It Work
- Rosehip oil is rich in linoleic acids(polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids) which helps in regulating sebum(oil) production in the skin which would prevent further breakouts. It has vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects skin cells from harmful free radicals. It also helps in boosting collagen production which in turn reduce skin pigmentation. Rosehip oil is also effective in reducing acne inflammation and gives proper nourishment to the skin.
7. Basil Essential Oil For Acne
Basil has a significant place in Ayurveda when it comes to natural remedies. It has been used for over 5000 years for therapeutic purposes. It is considered an effective remedy for acne. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that would kill acne-causing bacteria as well as fungus feeding on your skin. As per a study published in the Journal of  International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, both sweet basil and holy basil are suitable for treating Propionibacterium acnes(P. Acne) (source).
Basil oil has effective anti-inflammatory properties which help in soothing acne by reducing swelling, redness, and pain. It is also an excellent exfoliator for the skin by unclogging pores and removing dead cells, excess oil and dirt trapped in them.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Hemp Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Basil Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of hemp oil and mix 2-3 drops of basil essential oil in it. Apply it on the affected area by gently massaging your skin.
- You can use it twice a day.
Why Does It Work
- Hemp oil is one of the best carrier oils for acne prone skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties which would help in reducing swelling and redness. Its antioxidant properties prevent cell damage by fighting free radicals. It also helps in increasing the production of collagen which helps in healing the skin. It also controls sebum(oil) production in the skin, hence prevents clogging of pores.
8. Frankincense Essential Oil For Acne
Frankincense essential oil provides a range of benefits to your skin besides treating acne. It can reduce the appearance of scars and acne. It strengthens your skin, improves its elasticity and prevents skin aging. It improves the tone and defense mechanism of the skin to fight acne-causing bacteria. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing swelling and redness. It would also give you relief from pain caused by acne.
Studies show that frankincense essential oil reduces redness and irritation in the skin and produces an even skin tone. It has been found to have a soothing effect on irritated skin, which is due to the pentacyclic triterpene (steroid-like) structure shared in different boswellic acid compounds. (Source)
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Jojoba Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of jojoba oil. Mix 2-3 drops of frankincense essential oil with it. Apply it twice a day on the area concerned.
- Repeat it until you actually see the results.
Why Does It Work
- As I mentioned earlier jojoba oil is very effective for treating acne. It has antibacterial properties which will help in treating acne and soothing your irritated skin. It has powerful antioxidants that would help in preventing cell damage. It also helps in skin regeneration by boosting collagen production.
9. Geranium Essential Oil For Acne
Geranium essential oil is another effective oil for treating acne. It has antibacterial compounds to kill the acne-causing bacteria living on the skin. It has antiseptic properties which help in wound healing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your acne by reducing swelling, redness, and pain. As per some studies rose geranium essential oil is found to have anti-inflammatory properties(source). Geranium oil also helps in regulating imbalance hormones which may one of the reasons for causing acne.
Ingredients
- 30 ml Rosewater (Buy Here)
- 5 Drops Geranium Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take 30 ml of rosewater and add 5 drops of geranium oil to it and apply it on your cleansed face as a daily skin toner.
- Make sure to store this blend in a glass spray bottle.
Why Does It Work
- Rosewater has anti-inflammatory properties which help in soothing the irritated skin. It helps in unclogging pores and controls the excess production of sebum to prevent further breakouts. It also helps in healing scars.
10. Chamomile Essential Oil For Acne
Chamomile oil is extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant, which is very popular as a flowering plant. There are two types of chamomile, the Roman chamomile, and German Chamomile. However, both varieties of chamomile oil are beneficial for the skin. They have antiseptic properties which help in preventing infections developed in the skin by harmful bacteria and fungi. They could also be applied to the skin for reducing acne scars, spots, and other blemishes.
Chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which help in soothing inflammation and prevent breakouts. Traditionally, chamomile has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mildly astringent and healing medicine. Studies show that chamomile essential oil penetrates below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers to reduce inflammation(source).
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Argan Oil (Buy Here)
- 2-3 Drops Chamomile Essential Oil (Buy Here)
How To Use
- Take one tablespoon of argan oil and mix 2-3 drops of chamomile essential oil in it. Apply it on the affected area.
- Repeat it twice a day.
Why Does It Work
- Argan oil is one of the effective carrier oils for acne. It reduces excess sebum production and prevents clogging of pores. It has light consistency and easily absorbed by the skin.
Precautions
It is very important to take the following precautionary measures before applying essential oils to your skin.
- Be sure to do a patch test to make sure your skin does not have an adverse reaction to the oils. The inner forearm is a great place to do a test since the skin is delicate, similar to facial skin.
- Additionally, pregnant women, infants, and young children should avoid certain essential oils. so be sure to do your homework beforehand.
- Keep the DIY recipe container away from sunlight.
- If you are using an essential oil blend then make sure to apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, as some essential oils can be photosensitive.
- If You have any skin disease, chronic health condition then consult your medical practitioner before applying essential oil on your skin.
- Do not put essential oils in your eyes, ears, nose or mucous membranes.
I have acne prone skin and years I have suffered with this skin condition. Natural remedies weren’t successful so my dermatologist prescribed Roaccutane, but I am sure that for sufferers with mild forms this article can come in pretty handy! Keep on writing!