Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, roots and barks of potent plants. They are the plants’ pure essence and have imparted physical and psychological therapeutic benefits since antiquity. If you’re looking for some all-natural skincare—and you should be—then look no further than essential oils. We’ve got 6 of the best essential oils for beauty below.
Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil is a multi-purpose skin care agent. It helps to normalize oil production and treat acne-prone skin. It also helps firm the skin, increase elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for those who are concerned with aging. It’s also a must-have cure-all to stock in your medicine cabinet. Geranium essential oil directs blood flow to the applied area, thereby accelerating wound healing for cuts, scrapes, burns, eczema, dermatitis, ringworm, broken capillaries and the like.
Bergamont Essential Oil
Got oily, pimply skin? Then make up an essential oil blend of bergamont, which possesses anti-viral properties that help fight off the bacteria that cause acne. Bergamont essential oil can even help treat and prevent cold sores!
Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot seed oil is the oil of choice for more mature skin, or skin that needs some extra hydration and soothing. Whether dry, sun-damaged, or wrinkled, carrot seed oil helps to regenerate cells and fade scars and pigmentation. Got combination skin? Carrot seed oil works well on all skin types, including oily complexions, as it helps to balance sebum production.
Lavender Essential Oil
You can do more than just bathe in a bathtub filled with lavender satchels. Lavender essential oil is great for all skin types: oily, sensitive, dry or aging. Lavender is equipped with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal agents, so it can stop the bacteria that cause acne in their tracks, and beat all types of skin infections. Mix it with some bergamont essential oil and watch your skin regenerate!
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is noted for its restorative properties, and when diluted in a carrier oil it can really make your dull skin glow anew. It’s naturally detoxifying and helps to prevent bacterial and microbial growth on the skin. Its best feature? It’s a great pore minimizer, especially when diluted in some rose water and used as a toner.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is perhaps the most well known skin care oil on the market. It’s a terrific tonic for oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin, and works just as effectively as benzoyl peroxide but without the harsh side effects. It heals cuts, scrapes and burns, cleanses the skin and regulates oil production.
How to Use Essential Oils for the Skin
Essential oils should never be applied directly to skin but always be diluted in a carrier oil. We like jojoba oil, which helps to control oil production and won’t break out sensitive skins. The easiest way to measure and dilute is to mix 1 ounce (30 ml) of jojoba oil with 12 drops of essential oil. Always store your essential oil blend in a cobalt blue or amber-colored glass bottle in order to protect it from light damage. No need to get fancy with a measuring cup, as these bottles are easy to find in 1-oz sizes. Just fill with oil, add some drops and apply to skin with a cotton ball.
One final note: be sure not to get these essential oils on your eyelash extensions! Oil can prematurely break down the bond that holds the extensions onto your natural lashes. Use oil-free products only near the eyes, and remove eye makeup with our oil-free makeup removers and eyelash shampoo.
