Recent studies have shown that the average woman in the US is exposed to an average of 60 to 100 chemicals a day in her personal care products, such as soap, shampoo and makeup. Men are exposed to approximately 40, as are babies, despite the ‘gentle’ label on commercial baby products.

We have no way of knowing what the health consequences of each chemical will be, let alone what might happen when they are used in combination every day on our skin, the largest and most sensitive organ of our body.

If you’re worried about what’s in the toiletries you and your family are using, it’s time to explore essential oils for natural cleansing. If your skin doesn’t look clear, radiant, and blemish-free, ancient essential oils could be the solution you need for your modern skin problems.

Let’s look at what essential oils are and how they can beautify and heal even problem skin, and reduce the signs of aging.

Ancient Oils For More Youthful Skin

Essential oils have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine for thousands of years. They are most commonly used in aromatherapy, that is, the therapy of healing through fragrance. The beneficial effects of aromatherapy, depending on the oils you use, can include stress relief, boosting energy, enhancing relaxation, and even losing weight.

Anyone can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy at any time, with little in-depth knowledge of the oils other than what aromas they enjoy and what effects they wish to achieve, such as stress relief. It becomes a bit more complicated if you wish to use essential oils on the body, but even complete beginners can use them safely if they follow a few simple rules and purchase high-quality essential oils.

Essential oils are usually used on the body in conjunction with therapeutic massage. The oil benefits skin, even muscle and bone, while the fragrance enhances mood and overall well-being.

Essential oils are also now being used increasingly as part of a regular skin care routine designed to keep skin clean, youthful looking, and blemish-free.

Essential oils are so named because the most potent healing parts of the plant, or essence, are steamed or distilled into a highly concentrated therapeutic form. The oils can be extracted from the flowers, leaves, resin, bark, roots, seeds and even the entire plant. The oils are about 100 times stronger than what you would find in dried herbs and botanicals, so they have very strong healing properties.

The results of these oils are unique to each person. There is general agreement about the actions of certain oils; however, responses vary from person to person. Therefore, if you try one and it doesn’t work the way you expect it to, another probably will.

Some oils are very versatile and can be used for a range of purposes, or blended with other essential oils to offer even more healing properties. Some are very common scents, like lemon, orange and rose, while others are a good deal more exotic, such as patchouli and ylang.

Many are floral, while others are more woody. Therefore, both men and women are sure to be able to find healing essential oils in scents that suit their lifestyles and will be life enhancing and pleasant to use on your skin and smell each day, rather than annoying or weird.

From birth to death, most of us face skin-related challenges at least once in our lives. The problem might be all over the body, or mainly on the face. But since everyone sees our face first when they meet us or talk to us, issues with our complexion can lead to a great deal of emotion turmoil, shyness, and even low self-esteem.

Common skin conditions that can be helped by essential oils include:

- Acne

- Combination skin

- Dry skin

- Eczema

- Inflammation/Irritation

- Loss of suppleness and elasticity

- Oily skin

- Pigmentation issue, such as dark patches and uneven skin tone

- Puffiness/Swelling

- Psoriasis

- Rosacea

- Scarring

- Wrinkles

In this post, we will discuss the most common skin problems adults suffer from, and the oils that can help. Since some of the oils have multiple purposes, we have put them in alphabetical order in a chapter of their own.

Once you know which oils to use for which skin conditions, it will be time to smell them. Head to your nearest health food store and sniff a few of the testers at a time. Draw up a list of your favorites for the purposes you require, such as dealing with dry skin or wrinkles, and buy a couple of all-purpose oils that can be used in a range of ways.

Essential oils vary in price, and can start to add up to a small fortune if you buy a lot of them without determining what you are going to use them for. Shopping strategically can keep costs down while still achieving the effects you are looking for.

There are also a few useful starter kits with a number of basic oils that can help you begin with on your journey with essentials oils for better skin.

Once you buy your oils, it will be time to learn to apply them safely. The first important thing to learn is how to dilute your oils for different personal care purposes. Let’s look at your dilution options next.

Diluting Essential Oils For Personal Care Products

Pure essential oils must be diluted before use. Pure oils should never be applied directly on the skin or anywhere near the eye area.

You have five options for diluting:

Water

Distilled water with a few drops of oil in it can be used a toner or lotion. You can also add essential oils to your bath water, or a few drops to your sink of water when washing your face.

Liquid soap

Pure unscented liquid soap such as Castile or vegetable glycerin soaps are gentler than bar soap, with fewer chemicals. Choose an unscented product and add your own essential oils. Use soap and warm water as the foundation for all of your personal hygiene and skin care routines.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a good option for diluting essential oils if you wish to treat acne and cleanse the skin. Alcohol has very drying properties, however, so if you have combination skin, for example, only use it on your oiliest spots.

Pure Witch Hazel

Pure witch hazel is good for cleansing and tightening pores. The average commercial brands are mainly alcohol, so look for products labeled pure and use as needed to cleanse and tone your face after washing it.

Carrier oils

Carrier oils are commonly used to dilute essential oils in order to use them as part of a therapeutic massage, to moisturize the skin, and to convey the aromatic benefits of the oil at the same time.

There are a range of carrier oils, some heavier than others. Many of them have their own unique healing properties as well. They can range from inexpensive olive oil, to more pricey jojoba and other facial-quality oils.

These are a few of the most common carrier oils that are beneficial for healing skin and improving its overall appearance that are safe to use on the face:

- Almond

- Apricot kernel

- Coconut

- Olive

Coconut and olive are economical because they can be used in your recipes as well as used in aromatherapy and personal skin care.

Coconut will be heavier than the others but is excellent for dry skin. Apricot and almond are good all-purpose oils that penetrate without leaving your skin looking like an oil slick.

Oils used mainly for their nourishing benefits for the skin include:

- Jojoba (pronounced Ho-HO-bah)

- Vitamin E

- Rosehip

- Carrot seed

- Pomegranate seed

Others more exotic facial-quality oils with healing and anti-aging properties include:

- Arjan

- Manuka Tamanu

Look for pure oils and one that appeal to you in terms of scent and how they blend fragrance-wise with the essential oils you would like to use. For example, coconut oil will usually make everything smell like coconut unless you use the de-scented kind. Other carrier oils are a question of preference. Manuka oil is supposed to be very healing and smell less medicinal than tea tree, but others detest the scent. Your health food store should also have testers so you can try the oils in terms of smell and the weight of them on your skin.

Now that you know how to dilute your oils, and understand the benefits of carrier oils for dilution and healing, it is time to look at a few other safety considerations before diving in to the world of making your own skin care preparations.

Safety First When Using Essential Oils

Essential oils may be all natural, but they are powerful botanicals, and as such, need to be treated with care and respect. Here are a few important safety tips when storing, handling and using your essential oils.

Buy pure oils

Your most important safety consideration is to buy 100% pure oils and check the country of origin. Whenever possible, buy oils produced in the US, Canada and European Union countries such as England, France and Germany.

Store in dark glass bottles

Buy them in dark glass bottles and store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Never put essential oils in an undiluted form up your nose or on your skin. Never store in a plastic container, as the oils can dissolve it.

Keep away from people, pets and children

Once you start to explore essential oils, you might come across recipes for adding them to your food. However, some essential oils can cause stomach upset or even death if people or pets consume them. Be sure to read the directions and cautions. When in doubt, don't swallow and use only topically or aromatically.

Be aware of the shelf life of each oil once you open it

Once you open your bottle of essential oil, it should keep for up to 1 year. The only exceptions are the citrus oils such as lemon and lime, which should all be used within 6 months.

Photosensitivity issues with citrus oils

Citrus oils also require caution if you plan on going out in the sun after using them. They can cause a reaction with sunlight (photosensitivity), leaving the skin more likely to burn or become discolored. Use in the evening, or 2 hours before you plan to go outside.

Take existing medical conditions into account

Some people are advised to stay away from certain oils depending on any medical condition they might have, such as high blood pressure. Pregnant women should also be careful when using these powerful botanicals.

Now that you know the most important safety aspects of using your essential oils and making your own skin care preparations, it’s time to look at the different oils for different skin conditions. Let’s start with the most common one, acne.

Preventing/Clearing Blemishes/Acne

Acne can happen at any age, from our teen years to old age. Acne is mainly triggered by hormones when we are teenagers going through puberty. Women tend to break out at their time of the month as well. Menopausal women can also suffer from the misery of adult acne, even if they tend to have dry skin.

In addition to hormones, the way you care for your skin can also leave you prone to acne. If you don’t wash your face regularly, leave your makeup on overnight, have oily hair, and touch your face often, grease, oil, dirt and pollution from your environment, and dead skin cells, can all clog pores and lead to whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.

Acne tends to be associated most often with oily skin, but some people who have combination skin might break out on their chin, cheeks, nose and forehead. The rest of their face, especially around the eyes, will usually be dry. In this case, choosing an essential oil such as lavender, which is good for all types of skin, can help.

Toning helps tighten pores, to reduce the likelihood of them getting clogged. Exfoliating with a gentle scrub a couple of times a week can help remove dead skin cells and reveal healthy, radiant skin underneath.

If your acne makes you want to put a paper bag over your head, try these essential oils:

Acne

- Cypress

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Neroli (orange blossom)

- Patchouli

- Rose

- Tea Tree

Oily skin

- Cypress

- Frankincense

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Neroli

- Patchouli

- Tea Tree

- Ylang ylang

Combination skin

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Neroli

- Rose

- Ylang ylang

Be careful of drying out your skin too much.

If you have acne-related scarring, or other skin imperfections you wish to try to heal, the following essential oils can be helpful:

- Clary

- Sage

- Frankincense

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Rose

- Tea Tree

- Carrot seed carrier oil

See recipe section for quick and easy homemade beauty recipes. Then see what a different they make to your skin, and most likely to your wallet as well.

Also check out the best vitamin C serums for acne prone skin here.

Rosacea

Rosacea (pronounced ROW-say-shuh) looks a lot like acne in some cases, but depending on the kind you have, the pimples can look like red, angry welts or large cysts. Rosacea can also distort your nose, making you look like the 20th century comedian W. C. Fields. No one wants to have a nose that looks like a lightbulb, so what can be done about rosacea?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 14 million people suffer from rosacea. While women are more likely to suffer from it, it does occur in men too. Most people who get rosacea are:

- Between 30 and 50 years of age.

- Fair-skinned, and often have blonde hair and blue eyes. From Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry.

- Likely to have someone in their family tree with rosacea or severe acne. Likely to have had lots of acne — or acne cysts and/or nodules.

- Women are a bit more likely than men to get rosacea, but they are not as likely as men to get severe rosacea.

What causes it?

Scientists are not certain, but research points to several causes:

- Genetics

- Immune system issues

- Bacillus oleronius bacteria

- H pylori, commonly associated with stomach ulcers

- Demodex mites

- The protein cathelicidin, which may cause the redness and swelling

No matter what the reason, rosacea leaves the skin of middle-aged men and women looking and feeling less than its best. Typical symptoms include:

- Flushing and redness in the center of the face

- Visible broken blood vessels (spider veins).

- Swollen skin

- Sensitive skin

- Stinging and burning skin

- Dry skin, roughness or scaling

- A tendency to flush or blush more easily than other people

If you thought your breakouts were acne, it might be time to consult a dermatologist to see if you might have rosacea.

The following oils are beneficial against rosacea:

- Chamomile, German

- Clary sage

- Cypress Neroli

There are several other oils useful for reducing redness and inflammation. Let’s look at these next.

Puffiness, Swelling, Skin Inflammation

Lots of things can cause our face to look fully, swollen and inflamed. The most common is allergy season, particularly the pollen in spring. A lack of sleep, bad diet, too much alcohol, too many carbohydrates in our diet, and pollution are other common causes.

Smoking cigarettes will irritate, and also dry out the skin, leading to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes from squinting against the smoke, and lines around the mouth from the heat and from sucking on the cigarette.

You might also get puffy and bloated-looking from your period, and from gaining weight or retaining water because you have been eating foods with a lot of salt in them (look for sodium on the food labels).

You are what you eat, so pay attention to your diet. Eat fresh, natural foods, and stay hydrated. Use olive oil to reduce inflammation inside and out. If these dietary tips still aren’t enough, try these essential oils in your facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer:

- Inflammation, spider veins and red capillaries

- Chamomile, German and Roman Cypress

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Neroli

- Rose

You can also try the oils that are helpful for rosacea:

- Chamomile, German

- Clary sage

- Cypress

- Neroli

and ones that can help sensitive skin:

- Chamomile, German and Roman Jasmine

- Lavender

- Neroli

- Rose

- Carrot Seed as the carrier oil

Inflamed skin is often dry. Let’s look next at some of the best oils for soothing dry skin.

Dry Skin

Those born with dry skin can look old before their time unless they use nourishing and soothing products so their complexion does not look patchy, scaly, red, or inflamed.

Eczema can happen at any age, and lead to dry patches, sometimes with small oozing blisters, and sometimes just rough and dry.

Psoriasis is a condition in which skin cells build up and form scales and itchy, dry patches. While it does have a genetic component, not everyone who carries the genes for it develops psoriasis. Triggers include stress, upper respiratory infections such as strep throat, environmental irritants, and damage to the skin such as deep scratches.

If you have dry skin, it is important to keep it hydrated inside and out. Drink plenty of water and avoid drying foods such as carbohydrates and items with a lot of salt (sodium). Pay particular attention to chapped or cracked skin such as on your hands, because this can leave you more vulnerable to infection.

Watch out for hand sanitizers. Most commercial brands contain large amounts of alcohol, which will dry and crack the skin.

So, which essential oils will work best for dry skin?

Dry skin

- Chamomile, Roman

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Myrrh

- Patchouli

- Rose

- Ylang ylang

For severe dry skin conditions, try:

Eczema

- Cedarwood

- Chamomile, German and Roman Lavender

- Myrrh

- Patchouli

- Sandalwood

- Tea Tree

- Ylang ylang

Psoriasis

- Chamomile, German and Roman Lavender

- Sandalwood

- Tea Tree

- Carrot seed oil as the carrier oil Pomegranate seed oil

Dry skin tends to contribute to the aging and wrinkled appearance of skin. Let’s look next at oils that can help fight wrinkles.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles occur for a number of reasons, and at any age. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of wrinkling and premature aging of the skin. Not washing your face properly or paying attention to the suppleness of your skin with a moisturizing and nourishing beauty routine can also contribute.

Not protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun with a 30 SPF sunscreen can also cause wrinkling and sun damage. Good sunglasses with UV protection can protect the delicate skin around the eyes.

Repetitive facial movements such as squinting and smiling can lead to wrinkles over time. So too can burying your face in your pillow when you sleep at night. If sleeping flat on your back is impossible, try silk pillowcases.

When thinking about wrinkles, don’t forget your neck. It can give away your chronological age if it looks sagging and crinkled. One other area to pay special attention to is your eyelids. They can start looking saggy, making you appear old before your time.

When using beauty preparations with essential oils around the eye area, don’t rub, just pat to apply. Use a cotton swab or ball and use tiny amounts-don’t let it drip all over. Never use undiluted oils in this area.

So, what are some of the best essential oils for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles?

Wrinkles

Clary sage

- Cypress

- Frankincense

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Myrrh

- Neroli

- Patchouli

- Rose

- Rosemary

- Sandalwood

- Ylang ylang

- Rose Hip oil as a carrier oil

In relation to aging skin, these oils can help:

Aging Skin

- Chamomile, Roman

- Clary sage

- Frankincense

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Myrrh

- Neroli

- Patchouli

- Rose

- Ylang ylang

- Carrot seed carrier oil

In terms of improving the firmness and elasticity of skin, these oils might help:

Improving Suppleness

- Frankincense

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Myrrh

- Rose

- Ylang ylang

Another common issue with aging skin that can prevent you from looking your best is dark spots. Let’s look at this topic next.

Clearing Dark Spots

As we age, our skin’s pigmentation can change, resulting in dark spots. Some of this can be hormonal, such as due to pregnancy, and will usually be temporary. However, in older people, you will often see what are termed ‘liver spots’ on hands and face. Others might experience a change in skin tone, or darkening from scarring, such as in the case of severe acne.

Some essential oil websites recommend citrus oils for reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation, including:

- Bergamot

- Lemon

- Neroli

- Orange

While this is true, it is important to note that these oils can actually trigger a darkening of the skin and actually cause dark spots due to photosensitivity, that is, making the skin more sensitive to the rays of the sun.

That being the case, do not use any citrus-based oil for at least 2 hours prior to going outside. The easiest way to use these and keep your skin safe is to only use citrus oils at night.

What non-citrus oils can you use any time of the day or night? Here are a few suggestions:

Dark spots/Hyperpigmentation

- Frankincense

- Geranium

- Lavender

- Rose

- Sandalwood

- Tea Tree

- Vetiver

- Carrot seed oil as the carrier oil

Now that you have read about each skin condition and the oils which can benefit each, it’s time to start making your own homemade personal care products to tackle your main skin problems.

Easy Recipes For Safe Skin Care Products Using Your Essential Oils

Now that you know which oils are useful for your particular skin conditions, it’s time for the fun part, making small, fresh batches of your toners, creams and lotions every day.

Remember, there will be NO preservatives in these skin preparations, so make only as much as you will need for 1 or 2 uses in the day. Put the rest in the fridge or use on neck hands, elbows, and so on, depending on what the item is. Then see what a difference essential oils can make to your skin.

Good regular skin care routines no matter what your age or skin type is required for a healthy, glowing skin.

The 5 main steps to a healthy skincare routine no matter what your age are:

- Wash/Cleanse

- Tone

- Moisturize

- Exfoliate 1 to 2 times per week

- Deep clean 1 time per month

And always use sunscreen on face, hands, and any other part of your body that will be expose to UV rays.

Below, you will find basic recipes for the 5 steps above. Just add the essential oil of your choice to the recipe depending on what effect you wish to achieve.

If you don’t fancy whipping up a lot of differently fragranced items, geranium, lavender, and rose are good for a wide range of skin types and healing purposes. Lavender can be used by men and women.

Wash/Cleanse

All-purpose Body and Facial Wash

- 1/8 cup coconut oil, des-scented if you prefer

- 1/8 cup raw honey, warmed in the microwave for 20 seconds to make it easier to blend

- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

- 10 to 20 drops of essential oils

- 1/2 cup liquid pure glycerin soap, unscented

Blend all ingredients except the soap in a measuring cup, stirring well to combine.

Add the soap last and stir gently to avoid foaming. Use as needed.

Dry Skin Body and Face Wash

- 1/8 cup coconut oil

- 1/8 cup olive oil

- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil

- 10 to 20 drops of essential oils

- 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap

Blend all ingredients in a measuring cup except the soap, stirring well to combine.

Add the soap and stir gently to avoid foaming. Use as needed.

Tone

Toner for your skin type

Alcohol or pure witch hazel

Use 1 to 3 drops per ounce of the essential of your choice.

Apply to your face with a cotton pad. If your skin is prone to break outs, use one pad for each side of the face and wipe in one direction only, from hairline to jaw, without rubbing in circles, since this can spread bacteria.

Moisturize

Rich Facial Moisturizer

- 1/8 cup almond oil

- 1/8 cup coconut oil

- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel

- 5 to 10 drops of essential oil of your choice

This is light enough to use every day. Dot the face with some small dabs and then blend in.

Healing Moisturizer for Dry Skin and Eczema-Hands and Face

- 1 ounce grapeseed oil

- 1 ounce jojoba oil

- 1 ounce coconut oil, scented or unscented

- 1 ounce vitamin E oil

- 2 to 4 drops each of lavender

- jasmine

Combine in a measuring cup and pour into a small jar. Label and use as needed.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If hands are a particular trouble spot, apply at night and wear white cotton gloves to heal the skin.

Anti-Aging Moisturizer

- 7 ounces coconut oil, unscented

- 1 ounce liquid vitamin E oil

- 16 drops lavender, rose or cypress oil

Blend together in a measuring cup and place in an 8-ounce bottle. Label. Use on body and face. Place leftovers in fridge for up to 3 day. To warm before applying, remove a small quantity from the bottle and place in a jar. Place the jar in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes until it warms through.

This is deeply moisturizing and the vitamin E oil nourishes and repairs, while the oils soothe.

Exfoliate

Basic Sugar Scrub for Face and Body

- 3 parts white or brown sugar

- 1 part oil, such as olive oil, fractionated coconut oil or apricot kernel oil

- 5 to 7 drops of essential oils depending on the quantity of scrub you are making and how intense you want it to smell.

Mix well in in a small glass jar.

Use no more than twice a week. When using on the face, avoid the eye area and rub gently in small circles. Leave on the face for no more than 5 minutes. Note that your skin will be reddened for up to 2 hours afterwards, so it is best used at night.

After using, rinse well and gently pat dry with a clean towel. Don’t forget to moisturize.

Deep Cleaning

Cleansing mask

- 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water

- 3 to 6 drops essential oil of your choice

- 1/4 cup regular oatmeal, ground finely into oat flour in a food processor or coffee grinder

Place the water in a small measuring cup.

Add the oil to the water.

Add the water mixture to the oatmeal. Stir well to combine.

Apply to the face, massaging in small circles.

Leave on 2 to 5 minutes.

Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.

Moisturize.

Oils that work well with a deep-cleaning mask.

Mature or dry skin – Frankincense, Neroli

Normal or combination skin – Jasmine, Rose

Oily or blemished skin – Geranium, Tea Tree

Conclusion

We all want to look our best no matter what our age. But if common skin problems such as acne, dry skin, wrinkles, or dark spots are getting you down and making you feel self-conscious, we hope you will find at least a couple of oils in this guide and recipes for natural beauty products which will transform your skin and leave you with a healthy, radiant complexion.

To your best self!