5 Powerful Essential Oils that Clear Your Skin of Acne

 by Kirsten Hudson
As many of us have experienced, breakouts aren’t only for teenagers. Those pesky pimples can pop up at any age. And for many reasons. Your diet, hormone balance, stress levels and genetic makeup could all be the culprits in preventing clear skin.

That’s not all though. Little things like cleansing your skin too often or scrubbing your skin too hard can also cause acne issues. And if you’re turning to harsh chemical washes, scrubs and creams to get rid of pimples, you could be making it worse. Instead, look to  essential oils. These five powerful acne-fighting essential oils can help clear skin naturally.

1. Oregano

Aromatic and flavorful oregano is a staple ingredient in the kitchen. But if you crave clear skin, you may also want to add it to your medicine cabinet, too. Oregano in its essential oil form is excellent for getting rid of pimples. The natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties of oregano oil make it handy for spot treating zits. Just be sure to dilute the oil before applying it to your skin. Mix together equal parts oregano oil and a carrier oil, like jojoba, olive or coconut oil. Then, dab the diluted mixture onto the trouble spot regularly until your skin clears up.

2. Tea tree

If you’ve ever experienced the powerful and antiseptic scent of tea tree oil, then you probably won’t find it hard to believe that tea tree oil contains some serious antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. I regularly use tea tree oil to thwart any acne flare-ups before they get nasty. Usually I take a cotton swab, dip it into a jar of tea tree essential oil and dab it on my breakout. Don’t do this if you have extremely sensitive skin. Also keep in mind that tea tree oil can dry out your skin—fast. If you haven’t used it before, I’d recommend diluting the tea tree oil with another oil, like jojoba, before applying.

3. Lavender

If you need a more soothing essential oil for fighting acne, lavender is the oil for you. Lavender essential oil can help calm skin and reduce blemishes at the same time. Incorporate lavender into your everyday beauty regimen to prevent breakouts before they happen. One option is to choose a face wash or moisturizer with lavender essential oil as an ingredient. Or, make your own moisturizer by combining jojoba, almond or grapeseed oil with lavender essential oil. (A blend of natural oils also works well to remove make-up!)

4. Bergamot

The citrusy scent of bergamot essential oil will perk up your skin in no time. Its revitalizing fragrance and antibacterial properties make it an excellent option to spot treat breakouts. It also blends well with other oils, which is handy for creating  your own acne treatment blend. Start by mixing bergamot oil with coconut, olive or jojoba oil. Then, mix in other acne-fighting essential oils that you’ve found work well to create a powerful personalized acne treatment.

5. Rosemary

Typically, we think of using rosemary to add flavor to potatoes or chicken, not for skin care. But this often overlooked herb does wonders for revitalizing skin. It’s well known for its abilities to reduce excess oil on skin. Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory properties known to ease redness and puffiness, which is perfect for treating breakouts. Get glowy skin by regularly  using a cleanser, scrub or moisturizer that contains naturally astringent rosemary essential oil. Besides helping to clear skin, rosemary also improves circulation, which can help firm and tone. It’s a versatile oil that makes a great addition to your beauty routine.