Irrespective of the age and season,
acne is one of the most prevalent skin conditions faced by each one of us.
The outburst of
acne generally kicks in when a boy or girl attains puberty, but sometimes, it stretches on much after puberty as well.
Acne also occurs when your pores on the face and chest are clogged with dead skin cells.
Acne leaves scars when you try to pick at it with your fingers or any sharp object.
The best way to prevent
acne is to maintain clear and oil-free skin as much as possible.
And
essential oils like tea tree oil, lemon oil, oregano oil, peppermint oil can help in doing just that along with offering a load of benefits.
1. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial properties, which is why it is considered as one of the best
essential oils for
acne. It helps in killing bacteria, thereby helping your pimples dry out and eventually vanish. Tea tree oil acts as a powerful antiseptic. Always dilute
essential oils with a carrier oil or a hydrosol before using them on the skin. The best carrier oil that works on oily skin is jojoba oil. Take a couple of drops of jojoba oil and add a drop of tea tree oil to it. Massage your face lightly with this combination. You can use this remedy twice a day on a clean, dry face.
2. Peppermint oil
This is another natural treatment that can reduce the swelling and inflammation of bacterial acne. The menthol in peppermint oil treats acne by decongesting the skin and reducing redness. Just like tea tree oil, you can mix it with jojoba oil or with basil hydrosol before applying it on your skin.
3. Rosemary oil
It is one of the most sought after oils to clear out clogged pores as it is excellent at keeping sebum (oil produced by the skin) away. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, managing redness of the skin that occurs due to the frequent breakouts. Rosemary oil even reduces puffiness. Dilute with jojoba oil or basil hydrosol before application.
4. Oregano oil
The antiseptic and antibacterial properties of oregano oil help in spot treatment of pimples that are already on the surface of your skin. Dab the diluted oil onto affected areas using a cotton ball.
5. Lemon oil
A rich source of vitamin C, lemon oil has natural bleaching properties. It also provides the skin with antioxidants, de-clogs pores, and is extremely good at speeding up skin healing. Remember to dilute it before applying!
Essential oils are natural extracts from plants. Mostly, they are sold in their natural form, but some brands may dilute them. Essential oils can be used either through inhalation or topical application. However, one should not apply essential oils directly on the skin; they should be diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba, olive or almond oil before application. You can use essential oil diffusers, sprays, or oil droplets for convenient application. Essential oils can also be mixed with rose water, basil hydrosol or peppermint hydrosol, and then applied (or sprayed) on the skin.
Remember that while essential oils are used as an alternative to medications for treating acne, they need to be used carefully. Ingestion of essential oils should be avoided because they might damage your vital organs. See a doctor if you don’t see results or face skin irritation.
