Are Essential Oils Good for the Skin?

 There’s something so satisfying and irresistible about those tiny glass bottles filled to the brim with aromatic essential oils. They’re amazing for aromatherapy to lift the mood, but when it comes to putting these potent oils on your skin, the conversation becomes more complicated. Below, we’ll explore if these oils are good for your complexion, and whether you should add them to your lineup of products for flawless skin.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant oils made with the extracts of a specific plant. They’re so potent that they typically capture the natural scent and beneficial compounds of that plant. 

For centuries, essential oils from plants and flowers like chamomile, lavender, and tea tree have been used for beauty and healing. However, since they’re so concentrated, they must be diluted before use to avoid skin sensitivity.

3 Benefits of Essential Oils for the Skin

Most people use essential oils to perk up how their room smells with a diffuser, or to melt away stress during a calming massage. However, these botanical extracts can also deliver noticeable skincare benefits. Here are just some of them that your complexion can reap, depending on the essential oil you have.

Natural Antioxidants

Many essential oils are packed with natural antioxidants. These help protect your skin from free radicals and oxidative stress, which typically cause wrinkles and other visible damage as you age. Extracts like rosemary and frankincense oil are chock-full of antioxidants that help boost the skin’s firmness and keep it looking young and healthy for longer.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Botanical extracts are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm the skin. That’s why oils like chamomile or lavender oil are known to reduce redness when your skin is having a massive flare-up. 

Tea tree oil is also a popular remedy for acne, a well-known manifestation of inflammation beneath your skin.

Skin Brightening

Some essential oils also have natural acids and compounds that gently improve your skin’s clarity, making them great for eliminating scars and spots. For example, tangerine essential oils, as well as other citrus extracts, are great for brightening the complexion. Other essential oils for scars include calendula and carrot seed oil.

How to Safely Use Essential Oils in Skincare

Essential oils have plenty of benefits for the skin, but they’re not a miracle product. On the contrary, using essential oils without the right safety measures can actually be very risky for your complexion.

These oils are so potent that they can burn the skin if applied directly onto it in large amounts. Some oils (especially citrus oils) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so the way you apply them to your skin matters.

The golden rule for using essential oils safely is to dilute them in a mild, skin-loving carrier oil, like jojoba or sweet almond oil. Add about one to three drops of essential oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil before applying it to your skin. That way, you experience the magical benefits of these oils without overwhelming your skin.

Endnote

Essential oils can be a terrific addition to your skincare ritual, but only when used safely and mindfully. If you want to boost skin health with antioxidants or brighten those scars left by acne, the key is to dilute your essential oil of choice in a carrier oil before nourishing your skin with it. Sprinkle just a bit of these powerful oils into your regimen and handle them with care. With thoughtful use, you’ll be well on your way to stunning skin.