Originally published March 15 2010
Use Essential Oils for a Natural Acne Remedy
by Fleur Hupston
(NaturalNews) Acne is a skin problem that affects adults and teenagers. Teenagers are often plagued with persistent acne. Many adults, who may have thought skin problems were a thing of the past, are distressed to find themselves affected, sometimes even when middle-aged. The skin care industry caters to sufferers by constantly developing expensive creams, lotions, pills and treatments which promise to cure acne forever. Essential oils can provide a soothing, natural remedy and are a far cheaper solution for acne problems.
Choosing the Best Essential Oils for Acne
Individual skin types will react differently to essential oils. The process of combining and experimenting with the best essential oil blend may be a trial and error process. Generally, the skin responds well to aromatherapy oils because they heal and nourish the cells and reduce inflammation. Essential oils also have antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
The best essential oils for acne control include lavender, geranium, sandalwood, jasmine, lemon, patchouli, chamomile, rosewood and eucalyptus.
Essential Oil Recipe for Acne
Create a natural gel to treat acne. Combine a quarter of a cup of aloe vera gel with ten to twelve drops of geranium oil, ten drops of lavender oil and seven drops lemon grass oil or tea tree oil. Blend all the oils and gel together thoroughly and apply to blemish areas twice daily after cleaning the skin. Do not use around the eyes.
Safety Precautions
Unlike perfume, essential oils are highly concentrated substances that need to be diluted prior to application to the skin. When buying essential oils, it is important to look at the label closely to see if they are pre-diluted or not. Buy undiluted, pure, organic essential oil and avoid cheap oils as they may be impure, adulterated or distilled with petrochemical solvents which may aggravate the skin instead of healing it.
Good carrier oils for the skin include sweet almond, apricot kernel, carrot oil and avocado, jojoba and hazelnut. To dilute, add ten drops of essential oil to 28 grams (1 ounce) of carrier oil.
Make sure the skin is thoroughly clean and dry before applying oils.
Consult a qualified homeopath if the skin is severely inflamed or not improving after using home remedies.
Additional Tips to Combat Acne
Cut out sugar, processed and refined foods from the diet. Sugar is not food and should not be eaten in its refined form. Eliminating sugar is possibly the best thing an acne sufferer can do to cure his or her acne problem. Cravings should disappear after one week or so of eliminating sugar from the diet.
Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027237_acne_dairy...
http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article....
Essential Science Publishing (compiled by), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Edition. USA, Essential Science Publishing, 2001.
About the author
Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.
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