Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants, fruits and flowers. Aroma therapy tells us about how essential oils can be used to treat different skin problems, from the ancient times people around the world have been using plants and plant extracts as traditional medicines. There are specific evidences that these essential oils posses antioxidants, antibacterial, and anti fungal properties. These properties make essential oils useful as medicines. Here are some common skin problems that we are going to discuss below:
1. Eczema This is a term referred to various types of skin swelling. It is also known as dermatitis. Most commonly type causes dry skin, itchy skin and rashes on face, inside of elbow, behind the knees, and on hand and feet. Scratching can cause it to turn red and swell and itch more.
Essential oils for treatment of Eczema
Peppermint Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil
- Take 4 tablespoons of Coconut Oil / Sunflower Seed Oil
- Add 1 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- Add 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Apply on Eczema effected area.
This oil may calm skin inflammation in people with eczema, however we recommend doing a patch test first.
2. Urticaria / Hives Hives are also called urticaria, it is a skin condition in which the skin reacts that causes itchy welts that can last for more than six weeks and can return over a few months or a year. The welts often start with itchy patches that turn into swollen welts and may vary in size.
Essential oils for treatment of Urticaria / Hives
Peppermint Essential Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Take 3 tablespoons of Castor Oil
- Take 1 tablespoon of Almond Oil
- Add 1 drops of Peppermint / Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Add 3 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
Apply on Urticaria effected area.
This oil may will help you relax from the irritation and the pain caused by hives / urticaria, however we recommend doing a patch test first.
3. Psoriasis This skin disorder can cause skin cells to multiply upto 10 times faster than normal. This makes skin build up into bumpy red patches covered with white scales. They can grow anywhere, but mostly appear on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. This condition can pass from person to person but is not contagious. It generally happen to the members of the same family. It usually appears in the early adulthood.
Essential oils for treatment of Psoriasis
Peppermint Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil
- Take 3 tablespoons of Castor Oil
- Take 1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- Add 1 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- Add 3 drops of Lavender / Geranium Essential Oil
Apply on Psoriasis effected area.
This oil may help reduce itching and pain you get in and around psoriasis patches., however we recommend doing a patch test first.
4. Rosacea If your face looks like you are blushing and you get bumps that are a bit like acne you might have a skin condition called rosacea. The biggest thing that you’ll notice is the redness on you cheeks , nose, chin, and forehead, less often the color can appear on the neck , head, ears or chest.
After a while the broken blood vessels might show through your skin , which can thicken and swell up. Most people with rosacea also get eye problems like redness, swelling and pain. The most common symptoms on may get are stinging and burning of skin, patches of rough and dry skin , a swollen bulb shaped nose, large pores, broken blood vessels and on your eyelids, bumps on eyelids and problems with vision.
Essential oils for treatment of Rosacea
Lavender Essential Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil
- Take 4 tablespoons of Rosehip seed Oil
- Add 2 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
- Add 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Apply on Rosacea effected area.
We recommend doing a patch test first.
5. Acne This is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Acne is the most common amongst teenagers, though it effects people of all ages. The acne signs vary depending on the severity of the condition:
(a). Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
(b). Blackheads ( open plugged pores)
(c). Small red tender bumps (papules)
(d). Pimples (pustules)(which are papules with pus at their tips)
(e). Large painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
(f). Painful pus filled lumps under the skin(cystic lesions)
(g). Back acne
Essential Oils to manage Acne:
(a) Rosemary Essential Oil: With its antibacterial properties, rosemary can be used to decrease redness and puffiness, which is helpful when treating cystic acne.
(b) Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea Tree oil has antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti inflammatory properties, making it a popular essential oil for combatting acne.
(c) Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender can be useful for healing blemishes and helping to prevent acne scars.
(d) Geranium Essential Oil: Geranium, also know as poor man's rose, helps in balancing out oil on the skin and helps in fighting bacteria causing acne. It was best for people with oil skin.
(e) Peppermint Essential Oil: Because it has antibacterial properties, peppermint essential oil might be helpful for acne-prone skin.
All the essential oils should be diluted in carrier oil, or you can add them to your favorite moisturizer, lotion or facewash.
Some of the best carrier oils suitable for acne prone skin are:
- Rosehip Seed Oil
- Argan Oil
- Jojoba Oil
We recommend doing a patch test first.
6. Sunburn
Sunburns occur from exposure to the sun’s UV rays or UV light from artificial sources. You can usually treat first- and second-degree sunburns at home. Third-degree sunburns are very rare but need emergency treatment. A sunburn can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. You can lessen your risk of sunburn by taking steps to protect your skin. Sunburn is skin damage from too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV light from artificial sources such as tanning beds can also burn your skin. A sunburn is actually a radiation burn to your skin. Multiple sunburns can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S.
Essential Oils to help managing skin burns:
(a) Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint essential oil is recognized as a cooling agent and may help relieve the pain and heat from a minor sunburn.
(b) Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to treat sunburns.
We recommend doing a patch test first.