Do you have an unsightly scar that won’t go away? Do you wish your scar to heal naturally? Are you wondering how essential oils fit into the picture?
Essential oils are natural oils prepared from plants. The practice of using medicinal plants for healing is ancient.
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More and more, essential oils surface in our home and popular culture. This popularity brings with it a wonderful knowledge of how to use the medicinal properties of plants for natural health and well-being.
In this case of scarred skin, essential oils assist the body’s natural healing process and improve the look and appearance of skin. At the same time, they may also promote a feeling of well-being and decrease anxiety associated with blemished skin.
Why Our Body Makes Scars
Scars form as a natural part of wound repair during the body’s healing process ¹. Your body sends collagen fibers to mend any damage. The scar appears only after the wound is completely healed. Essential oils for the appearance of scars are different to those for open wound repair
You can use natural oils to treat your scars.
Scars are usually darker or lighter than the skin surrounding them. In most cases, scars are sunken in due to cell tissue damage surrounding the skin injury. If the wound is unable to heal for an extended period of time, or the skin becomes re-injured during healing, a scar may show on your skin for a long time.
It’s absolutely normal that you want to help your skin repair itself. Essential oils contain natural, anti-inflammatory substances. Applying essential oils on scars can help reduce their appearance and initial formation. For longer-lasting scars, you can fade out their appearance with essential oils.
In this article, I’ll list the 7 best essential oils to handle scar tissue, plus 4 carrier oils to support your blend. These natural oils revive, heal and clean the epidermis. Some essential oils have excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties that may lower your scar’s appearance.
Top 7 Essential Oils for Scars
Blending more than one essential oil is always a good recommendation as single oils support each other in a blend, and make a sum that is greater than its parts.
1. Helichrysum
Helichrysum Essential Oil, 5 ml bottle from Plant Therapy
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Arzanol is an anti-inflammatory substance found in Helichrysum essential oil ². It can enhance the healing of wounds and scar tissues. Other effective substances in this oil are antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant elements.
Antioxidants in Helichrysum oil inhibit the growth of free radicals. This helps in regenerating new cells and increasing the formation of collagen in the body.
Helichrysum oil can also aid skin infections such as acne or skin rashes. It is a calming, soothing oil and in most cases, safe for children and the elderly as well.
2. Lavender
Certified Organic Lavender from Rocky Mountain Oils
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Due to the soothing nature of lavender essential oil, using it on scars is beneficial. A study conducted by the US National Institute of Health in 2016 demonstrated the wound-healing effects of lavender oil ³.
This therapeutic oil has antiseptic, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties. Most aromatherapists begin scar treatment with lavender essential oil. It helps in regenerating dead and lost tissues by increasing collagen production in the body. Collagen enhances the growth of new skin tissues and cells.
Lavender is generally a well-tolerated oil with a pleasant and familiar smell. It is also safe for children 2+ years of age.
3. Cedarwood
Cedarwood Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
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Cedarwood essential oil has pain relieving properties and can soothe scar tissues. Aromatherapists often use it for treating acne. It can lessen inflammation and soreness of injuries.
In a blend, Cedarwood is a great base note to use. It gives a blend some stability and depth of aroma. I love blending with Cedarwood!
4. Frankincense
Frankincense Carterii Essential Oil
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Boswellic acid is an active substance in frankincense essential oil. It has anti-inflammatory effects on scars. This oil can tighten the skin and enhance the formation of fresh skin cells.
The antibacterial properties of frankincense oil prevent the wounds from getting worse. It soothes and tones the skin properly, and always makes the list of top oils for skin care.
5. Tea Tree
Organic, KidSafe Tea Tree Oil
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Speed up the healing process of injuries and scars by applying tea tree essential oil. This oil is an immune booster. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties.
Use tea tree oil cautiously if you have an autoimmune condition and other allergies. Do not use tea tree around cats.
6. Carrot Seed
Carrot Seed Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
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You can treat old scars using carrot seed essential oil. It contains antifungal and antibacterial properties used for healing wounds and scars.
These substances can give the skin a smoother, toned look. Maintain a consistent application of carrot seed oil for one month to see results on your skin.
7. Hyssop
Hyssop Essential Oil from Edens Garden
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(Plant Therapy doesn’t carry it)
The antioxidant and antimicrobial features of hyssop essential oil prevent infections on injuries. Hyssop supports scar healing and concealing of scars and wrinkles. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties that can treat broken skin.
Best Carrier Oils for Scars
In essential oils application, you should never put oils on your skin directly. Essential oils can cause minor side effects if you’re not careful whilst using them.
Always dilute with a base oil (also called a carrier oil) to prevent burning and possible skin irritations.
Although knowledge around carrier oils isn’t as popular as some of the essential oil info, it’s no less important. They are nutrient-dense powerhouses that can have a positive impact on the healing process.
The best carrier oils to support scar healing include:
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet Almond Oil – 4 fl oz (118mL)
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One of the best carrier oils for scars is almond oil. According to experts, constant application of almond oil can tone your skin. It can also enhance your complexion, and cause regrowth of new skin cells. Its anti-inflammatory properties can lessen the appearance of scars.
Moisturize and soothe your skin with sweet almond oil. It has been singled out as one of the most effective remedies to treat stretch marks or to stop dry, itchy skin.
Maintain a consistent usage for at least one month if you want an effective outcome.
Castor Oil
Organic Castor Oil – 4 fl oz (118mL)
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Castor oil breaks up excess oil formed on the skin. While it’s a very thick carrier oil, it does not block the pores of your skin. Rather, the oil can soothe and smooth any tissue produced by scars. For a scar on your face especially, I would use Castor oil as your carrier oil.
By using castor oil, you can reduce the appearance of scar tissues on the body. Do not apply too much oil – just enough to soften the scar.
Massage the oil onto affected areas. Repeat the process twice daily for good results.
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Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip Oil from Plant Therapy
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Treat scars, wrinkles, acne, and other skin conditions using rosehip seed oil. Post-surgical scars especially benefit from using this oil regularly. It can reduce atrophy, redness, and discoloration on the skin.
Vitamin E Oil
100% Pure Vitamin E Oil
Ca. $10 Here
Damage caused by free radicals can be repaired by protecting the skin with vitamin E oil. It is useful for enhancing the appearance of scars. It promotes the production of collagen while moisturizing your skin and preventing further scarring.
If you want to experience the effectiveness of vitamin E oil, maintain a consistent usage for at least one month.
Essential Oil Scar Blend Recipe
If you’re looking for a natural way to heal scars, this essential oil scar blend recipe is perfect. The antiseptic properties of the oils in the blend help to reduce inflammation, while the skin healing properties help to repair damaged tissue.
To use, simply roll a small amount of the blend into the scar area twice a day. Applying it is super easy!
I have formulated this in a 10 ml roll-on bottle for ease of use. And because you can pack it with you wherever you go – you can keep up the treatments twice daily no problem.
Ingredients
- 6 drops Helichrysum essential oil
- 4 drops Cedarwood essential oil
- 3 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Carrot Seed essential oil
Instructions
Fill your roll-on bottle half full with Sweet Almond carrier oil. Top it up to about 95% full with Rosehip seed carrier oil.
If you don’t have any of those two carriers, you may also use any other liquid carrier oil you have on hand, for example fractionated coconut oil.
Blend essential oils into the carrier oil.
Apply it on the wound and surrounding areas for at least one month. Do not use excessive quantity – a little goes a long way. Aim for daily usage (twice daily if you can), to promote natural and speedy healing of injuries and scars.
Master blend recipe: 2 tsp carrier oil, 15 drops essential oils.
With essential oil treatments, consistency is key. It takes time for your body to react to the treatment. The typical cycle for the outermost layer of your skin to get renewed is 28 days 5. So, while the essential oil recipe can stimulate and support better skin composition and lessen the appearance of scars, it still takes the body’s own powers to actually make that new skin and bring it to the surface to be seen and enjoyed.
With a really pronounced or deep scar you will have to use the home recipe for at least 4 weeks before seeing improvements.
Final Thoughts
While physicians or dermatologists can offer other treatments, essential oils are a superb option for the natural treatment of scars. Many oils for healing scars are effective when compared to other home remedies.
Sometimes, a quick fix is all you need! I have gathered the best (and most promising) essential oil blends for skin healing purposes.
- Edens Garden’s Skin Love, $19.95 for 10ml
- Simply Earth’s Farewell Scars, $18.99 for 15ml
- Plant Thearpy’s Anti Age Blend, $19.95 for 5ml
Not only does the art and science of aromatherapy offer the benefits of essential oils, it also uses fatty oils (base oils or carrier oils), to complete the treatment. Carrier oils boast lots of healing properties on their own, and beautifully support the function of the essential oils you’re choosing to apply to your scar.
Almond oil is a great choice of skin oil for treating scars.
Please let us know what you think in the comments below?
References
¹ Scars and Your Skin: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/scars#1
² Arzanol, an Anti-inflammatory and Anti-HIV-1 Phloroglucinol & Pyrone from Helichrysum italicum ssp. Microphyllum https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/np060581r
³ Antioxidant and Wound Healing Activity of Lavandula aspic L. Ointment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27769632
4 Can You Reduce the Appearance of Scars with Oils? 13 Oils to Try https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-scars
5 Understanding the Life Cycle of the Skin https://www.galderma.com/understanding-life-cycle-skin
Aisha Merchant
Very interesting and informative