Using Essential Oils in Skincare—Everything You Need to Know
Essential oils in skincare help you add that much-needed natural glow to your skin with these magic ingredients.
Even though the benefits of essential oils are rooted in ancient beauty rituals, their popularity continues to skyrocket—particularly among those who prefer natural ingredients in their skincare. With bold claims like soothing dry skin and reducing signs of aging, it's easy to believe these little bottles are skincare miracles.
With essential oils being so prevalent in both beauty and wellness industries, we decided it was time to create a comprehensive guide on different types of essential oils and their benefits. Let's get started, shall we?
But First, What Are Essential Oils?
In a nutshell: Essential oils are highly concentrated and volatile plant extracts that are obtained via various extraction methods, including steam distillation, which involves heating liquid to purify it. While rose oil, tea tree oil, and lavender oil are some of the most popular elixirs, there are actually thousands of known essential oils, with about 300 commercially available.
Which Essential Oils Are Beneficial for the Skin?
#1 Tea Tree Oil
Struggling with blemishes? If you're trying to achieve clear skin, tea tree oil can be your secret weapon. Aside from its antibacterial properties, it also has effective anti-inflammatory effects, both key attributes for fighting acne. It also controls acne breakouts by fighting viruses, bacteria, and fungus on the surface of the skin.
Add tea tree oil to your skin-care routine by purchasing a skincare product containing the essential oil. Or if you want to use the essential oil directly, dilute it in a carrier, such as a witch hazel toner or moisturizer, before applying it. The best way to use tea tree oil is topically, and you shouldn't ingest it.
#2 Marula Oil
Although marula oil is packed with omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, it's shockingly light. It absorbs quickly, leaving skin glowing without a greasy residue. Besides its antioxidant properties, this best essential oil for glowing skin may also have antimicrobial properties.
As with most natural oils for skin, you can use it straight up—or in a serum or moisturizer in combination with other ingredients. For the former, choose pure or virgin marula oil, as it may contain more antioxidants than refined oils.
#3 Argan Oil
It's often hailed as great hair oil, but argan oil is also great for your skin. In addition to being a great moisturizer, it also helps regulate your skin's natural oil levels, which is ideal for people with oily, acne-prone skin.
Although its antioxidant levels may help protect your skin from the sun, you should still wear sunscreen over it.
#4 Rosemary Oil
As an astringent, rosemary oil balances and tones the skin. The topical application of rosemary oil supports the balance of the skin while decongesting acne and oily skin types. It stimulates, oxygenates, and refreshes the skin by providing stimulation, oxygenation, and overall rejuvenation.
Rosemary essential oil also promotes thicker strands by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing circulation.
#5 Sandalwood Essential Oil
This oil has a unique aroma and has been used for centuries in India for therapeutic purposes. Applied to dry skin, it soothes inflammation effectively. The antiseptic properties of this product also reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scars.
Additionally, it improves the elasticity of skin cells and evens out skin tone.
#6 Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil is an effective anti-aging ingredient due to its properties as an astringent and healer. Besides toning and protecting your skin, Geranium Oil also tightens your epidermis to reduce the appearance of fine lines and has powerful cellular regeneration properties. Having a revitalized epidermis will make your complexion look younger.
A versatile oil, geranium is excellent for all skin types, as it balances oil production and conditions skin. You can add geranium to moisturizers to combat oil overproduction and underproduction.
#7 Lemongrass Oil
Antioxidants found in this oil prevent skin damage caused by free radicals, making it a good anti-aging product. Additionally, it is a natural astringent, making it a great choice for breakout-prone skin, adult acne, or the dreaded wrinkle-plus-pimple combo.
The purifying properties of organic lemongrass essential oil make it an ideal skincare ingredient. By removing impurities and detoxifying the skin, these properties leave it feeling clear and clean.
#8 Lavender Oil
Most people associate lavender essential oil with its relaxing aromatherapeutic properties. It is also a good topical treatment since it can be applied directly to the skin, like tea tree oil.
It soothes your mind and calms minor irritations on your skin. In addition to reducing acne, it can even out the tone of the skin as well as reduce wrinkles. As an added bonus, it can improve digestion and hair health.
#9 Sweet Orange Oil
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C protect the skin, brighten it, and stimulate collagen production. This citrus oil is full of it, so it's a good choice if you want glowing skin (and really, who doesn’t?). Moreover, it is an effective antiseptic, astringent, and antibacterial, making it a good option for acne-prone and oily skin types.
As a side note, you will feel better and more positive after inhaling its sweet aroma. The fresh scent is regarded as one of the best antidepressants available to mankind from Mother Nature.
#10 Jojoba Oil
A fun fact: Jojoba oil is the most similar to the oil naturally found in our skin out of all the oils. What exactly does that mean? The oil absorbs instantly, won't clog pores, and has a long list of health benefits (think deep hydration, antioxidant protection, and wound healing).
These qualities make jojoba oil not just well-known but also one of the best essential oils for skin.
The Bottom Line
Although essential oils have numerous benefits, we recommended doing a patch test on your forearm 24 hours before applying any to your face, as some can cause irritation.
Do you use essential oils in your skincare routine? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments section!
