Essential oils are often used for skin care and for good reason. They can rejuvenate the skin and promote smoother complexion like no chemically composed or manufactured skin cream ever could.
Essential oils have been used for centuries to nourish, rejuvenate, and promote a radiant complexion – without the synthetic additives found in commercial creams
Whether you’re battling dryness, acne, or fine lines, there’s an essential oil that can help your skin thrive. Let’s dive into the best oils and how to use them!
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Why Natural Skin Care?
Natural alternatives for skincare products and treatments are gaining popularity as more people seek gentle, chemical-free solutions for healthy, radiant skin – both men and women alike. Beauty brands are highlighting their use of natural ingredients to support the shift toward cleaner, more sustainable skincare.
More people are turning to natural and unique skincare products after realizing the harmful effects chemicals can have on their skin, body, and overall appearance.
Best Essential Oils for Skin Care
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants and herbs, capturing their essence, aroma, and beneficial properties in a potent form.
When it comes to healthy skin, essential oils are common, “non-oily” oils that tone, restore, and improve the appearance and condition of your skin.
Essential oils used in skin care applications can treat skin inflammation, get rid of scarring, decrease imperfections, smooth wrinkles, nurture stretch marks, and make age marks vanish. These natural oils can be added to creams, salves, cleansers, or lotions to be applied onto the skin.
If used appropriately, skin care essential oils can address psoriasis, skin inflammations, sunburns, and many other skin conditions, issues or disturbances that you may have.
Receive your FREE
Skin Care Recipes Bundle
and join our community of email subscribers.
With so many essential oils available, here are some of the best options for skin care to help improve your complexion and address common skin concerns.:
1. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium Oil
Get it here
If you’re looking to lessen the excess oil on your skin and fight off acne, then Geranium essential oil might just be what you’re looking for!
This essential oil helps in promoting smoother, stronger, and more elastic skin. Geranium can also help in reducing wrinkles, promoting blood circulation and promoting the healing of bruises, burns, cuts, eczema and other skin problems.
With its diverse benefits that seem to cover a lot of skin care needs, Geranium is one of the most recognized essential oils for achieving glowing skin. You can find more details about the benefits of Geranium essential oil here, or shop for a bottle here.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon Oil Steam Distilled, 10 ml
Get It Here
Lemon, with its antibacterial properties, is a natural astringent
It can help fight off excess oil and prevent breakouts of acne, therefore promoting healthy skin. It is also helpful in toning the skin and reducing the appearance of pores. Lemon essential oil is also effective in soothing irritated skin, helping to manage symptoms of sensitivity and redness.
Lemon oil and different citrus oils are incredible for clearing up skin inflammation by removing excess facial oil and getting rid of dead skin cells.
If you’re striving for healthy skin, Lemon oil can naturally light up one’s complexion!
NOTE: Beware that traditional, cold pressed Lemon essential oil is photosensitive. This means that it can cause skin stains when exposed to direct sunlight, so it is important to remain out of the sun for at least 24 hours after applying lemon essential oil topically. To avoid this issue altogether, you can use steam distilled Lemon oil.
- You might also like: DIY Lemon Sugar Scrub Recipe
3. Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Carrot Seed Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
Shop here
This essential oil can help with cell regeneration, fading of scars, and the overall quality improvement of aging skin.
It helps in rejuvenating the skin, promoting smoother complexion, and younger-looking, more radiant skin. Carrot seed is a perfect oil for dry, mature skin, and a great essential oil to even skin tone!
It is milder compared to other essential oils such as Lemon EO, so Carrot seed is perfect for those who want to try something new that’s not overpowering.
4. Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil
Shop Here
If you’re worried about aging skin, take a look at Myrrh essential oil.
Its anti-inflammatory properties can help improve skin tone and promote skin elasticity. This can result in healthier, more vibrant skin with reduced lines and wrinkles.
Myrrh essential oil can be particularly effective in soothing inflamed skin, helping to restore balance and reduce irritaiton. It also helps to protect the skin from UV rays, excessive drying, rashes and even eczema.
Myrrh oil has been used for quite a long time to treat any skin-related condition. It is known to treat dry skin, wrinkles, acne, rashes, burns, cuts and wounds.
It is a true first aid essential oil!
5. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense Carterii Essential Oil
Get It Here
Skin is prone to damage since it’s always exposed to germs, pollution, dry or humid environments, sunlight, and more.
Frankincense has high antibacterial and anti-inflammatory content, which helps significantly in protecting the skin. It shelters existing skin cells from damage and promotes new cell growth, resulting in healthier and younger looking skin free from scars, lines and wrinkles.
Frankincense essential oil also acts as a natural skin toner, which can reduce the appearance of pores, prevent acne breakouts and promote an overall smoother and glowing skin.
6. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang Complete Essential Oil, 10 ml
Get it here
A favorite essential oil by many, Ylang Ylang has a rich floral scent that pleases your senses with a soft and soothing atmosphere.
It can help reduce excessive oil on the skin and prevent acne breakouts. On top of that, it can also help in regenerating the skin cells, reduce wrinkles and help strengthen the overall quality of the skin.
Ylang Ylang is good for any skin type, helping to achieve radiant skin.
7. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil (KidSafe)
Buy here
As a staple essential oil, lavender brings a relaxing aroma which can relieve stress and also help protect the skin from damage. Lavender essential oils are known for healing scars, reducing sun spots and preventing acne breakouts.
Lavender is known as the “universal oil” because it can help with almost any skin issue, no matter your skin type. It’s great for calming and soothing, while also boosting mental clarity, energy, and mood.
For skin, it can help treat bug bites, skin imperfections, skin inflammations, dermatitis, and psoriasis, promoting glowing skin..
8. Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
Check Price
If you have sensitive skin but want to take care of the excessive oil, then Neroli essential oil might just be for you.
It works best with mature skin and can help in reducing wrinkles, improve the tone of the skin and protect the skin from further damage. This is because Neroli contains a chemical called citral, which promotes cell regeneration ².
Neroli essential oil is also known for being helpful in healing stretch marks and having antibacterial properties that reduce acne formation on the skin.
9. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Check Price
Helichrysum is a gentle, all-around healing essential oil. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly effective for soothing inflamed skin, and treating wounds or small scars. Helichrysum is also perfect for acne or acne-prone skin.
10. Copaiba Essential Oil
Copaiba Essential Oil is very affordable
Check Price
Another versatile essential oil is Copaiba. It’s a great fit for a daily moisturizing cream. Add just one drop of Copaiba to your regular facial moisturizer to see improvements in skin elasticity and complexion.
Receive your FREE
Skin Care Recipes Bundle
and join our community of email subscribers.
Using Essential Oils for Skin Care
Love your skin. Care for it!
Incorporate essential oils into your daily skincare routine to enhance its effectiveness and achieve healthy, glowing skin.
If you’re thinking about using any of the essential oils mentioned above, remember that they are volatile substances that can cause injury if used too much or directly on sensitive skin.
As such, you need to dilute them in a solvent like carrier oils, or just add a few drops to an otherwise neutral skin lotion.
To get started, try the essential oils by testing a small amount on your skin (skin patch test), usually the forearm, to see if you can handle it and that your skin doesn’t experience any adverse effects from these essential oils ¹. The use of essential oils should be avoided by those who are pregnant, babies and younger children.
You can learn more about how to use essential oils by reading this article here. Or, get inspired with these 22 DIY beauty tips using essential oils.
References
¹ The Best Essential Oils for Your Skin: Precautions
² Wikipedia: Citral in Neroli Essential Oil
Adrienne
Hi Emma, I want to make a nut-free oil as an after shower body moisturizer with a few essential oils. Can you tell me what carrier oils and EO I should use?
Candy
Can I mix these oils for a spray on my face.
Palesa
I have black spots on my arms and legs and have tried anything to remove them till I come across essential oils. What blend of oils you think can help me most?
Emma Carter
Hi Palesa, for age spots or black spots, I would use a blend of Frankincense, Neroli and Turmeric Essential Oils. The high anti-inflammatory content of the blend should help address skin pigmentation.
Cyndi Brooks
Can you help me with mixing essential oils with various carrier oils for my skin? Thank you!
Emma Carter
Hi Cyndi, yes absolutely! Please refer to the dilution rates chart to find the quantities of carrier oil plus how many drops of essential oils to use to get a good dilution percentage for your oil blend.
Britney Fihelly
This is a really good list of essential oils! Simple but very accurate info. Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
Lori
I’m so happy to be here. You’ve been of great help to me. I have such a relaxing time now. My husband is so happy too. He looks forward to coming home to the bedroom especially. ☺
Marie
Can more than one of these oils be used at the same time, such as the lavender for relaxation and frankinsence for the skin?
Thank you.
Carol Skinner
Yes they can, the key is to use sm amounts through out the day. I use balance, on drop on my foot arch and one on my wrist as it is a pulse point. Quite often put wild orange as it is a uplifting oil. Sometimes I use lemongrass and marjorium with cocunut oil on sore muscles, Just depends what is happening in the day. A little is all you need as it is very potent and using a pure essential oil, When you use it mix a bit of carrier oil to spread. I hope this helps.