Essential oils can become valid allies for our beauty. They can be used, indeed, in case of acne-prone skin, sensitive skin but also mature skin, wrinkles and even dark skin spots. In this article we will see, based on the type of skin, the best essential oils to use to meet all needs. However, it is important to never apply pure essential oils to the skin but always add them to a carrier oil. You can thus create powerful serums to be applied morning and evening on the face after spraying a floral water, in order to make them absorb better. Then, you can continue with your usual cream. Which carrier oil to choose? You have a large variety of plant based oils available, for example, in case of mature skin, argan oil is an excellent choice since it is able to repair the skin barrier, it improves the elasticity and the hydration level of the skin (Vaughn et al, Am J Clin Dermatol, 2018). On the other hand, for young skin or with itching and irritation, jojoba oil is excellent and repairs the damaged skin barrier and is also anti-inflammatory (Tzu kai Lin et al, Int J Mol Sci, 2018).
Young or sensitive skin, acne, rosacea and itching
The essential oil of Roman chamomile, scientific name Chamaemelum nobile, proves useful to soothe sensitive skin, which presents itching and redness. This essence also finds application in the case of acne, rosacea, dermatitis, eczema and sunburn (Orchard et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2017). On the market you can also find the essential oil of blue chamomile, or matricaria chamomilla, also in this case with a powerful anti-inflammatory and calming action. You can also use geranium essential oil, with an astringent action, useful to improve the texture of the skin and also useful against enlarged pores and acne. Lavender soothes inflammations and fights boils and acne, it is healing and helpful even in case of sunburn and psoriasis. Do not forget the essential oil of Ylang ylang, this essence, in fact, helps to balance the production of sebum, counteracts greasy skin and acts as a tonic helping in case of enlarged pores (Orchard et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2017). Finally, in the case of acne and blackheads, you can also resort to clary sage essential oil, not to be confused with salvia officinalis, which helps to fight oily skin and is also antimicrobial (Ali et al, APJTB, 2015).
Mature skin, dull skin, blemishes and wrinkles
The essential oil of cistus, cistus ladanifer, is a powerful anti-wrinkle agent, able to counteract the aging processes affecting the tissues, in the same way also acts the essential oil of neroli, which in addition can also be used in a massage oil to counteract stretch marks. Then, to make the skin luminous, to contrast aging processes, wrinkles but above all to reduce dark spots on the skin, you can use carrot seed essential oil, a true anti-aging ingredient. But to help mature skin, there is also rose essential oil, which counteracts wrinkles, relaxes the tensions and acts as a tonic by regenerating the skin. Geranium essential oil and rose geranium, scientific name Pelargonium graveolens, essential oil also act against wrinkles (Orchard et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2017). Finally, do not forget the anti-wrinkle and anti-aging action of clary sage essential oil.
