I love how versatile, potent and effective clove oil is and for many years now, I have been using clove essential oil for acne, tooth pain, dark circles under the eyes, stretchmarks, in homemade toothpaste, and much more! Seriously, everyone needs to own a bottle of clove oil!
Fighting acne naturally
Acne is a skin condition that is being experienced by not just adolescents anymore. Even adults are suddenly beginning to suffer from acne, and some teens don’t ever ‘grow out’ of their acne, carrying it well into their 20’s and 30’s. Yet it’s funny that the number of acne sufferers is only rising even when we have so much more acne medications in the market than ever before. Are these products not as effective as once thought? Or do they come with side effects that people want to avoid? Let’s not forget that doctor’s visits and acne medication can get expensive. Whatever the case is, many are turning to natural remedies to cure acne and there are many testimonials of acne being cured through the natural route.
One of the best natural gifts of nature that works wonders on acne is CLOVE OIL. If you take time to look at the properties of clove oil, you won’t even be surprised at its effectiveness against acne, acne scars and pimples.
The composition of clove oil
Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) is extracted through steam distillation of the clove bud, leaves or stem of the clove plant, with the oil of the clove bud being the most widely demanded. Native to Indonesia, clove oil has a minty, herbaceous and slightly camphorous aroma and is primarily composed of:
- Eugenol – 87%
- Eugenyl acetate – 8.01%
- β-Caryophyllene – 3.56%
The properties and benefits of clove essential oil
1. Clove oil is highly anti-inflammatory
The main constituent of clove oil, eugenol is a powerful antioxidant that is highly anti-inflammatory. This helps to reduce swelling, inflammation, redness and itchiness of severe acne, pimples and cysts.
2. Clove oil is rich in anti-oxidants
Those suffering from chronic acne and other similar skin conditions are often found to be lacking in antioxidants. Applying clove oil can supply the body with missing antioxidants in order to fight free radical damage, reduce oxidative stress on the skin and help repair acne-damaged skin cells.
3. Clove oil fights infections
Clove oil is rich in antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, which make it highly beneficial in treating acne. It actively fights harmful acne-causing bacteria, reduces infections and prevents further reinfection of pores. It also helps prevent the spread of acne on the face.
4. Clove oil contains anesthetic properties
For those suffering with severe acne and cystic acne, which is often itchy and painful, clove oil can help numb the pain, relieve itchiness and reduce the size of the pimples within hours.
3. Clove oil is rich in antiseptic properties
Clove oil’s antiseptic properties can work as a great aid to preventing acne and keeping the pimples at bay. Used daily, clove oil works as a preventative measure to cleanse and disinfect pores to remove any bacteria and keep the pores purified so that bad bacteria do not lodge in and breed.
Where to get clove essential oil
Ensure you purchase 100% pure high quality clove oil with no additives. I love Plant Therapy’s 100% pure clove oil. You can get it here.
How to use clove essential oil for acne
There are many ways you can use clove essential oil for acne, pimples and scars – you just have to get creative and find ways to incorporate it into your skin care regime. Some of the ways you can use clove oil are suggested below:
» Spot treatment
Got a painful pimple brewing under the skin or got acne that’s ready to burst? Just dab clove oil on the spot and you will note reduction in the size of the pimple within hours!
» Oil cleansing
Oil cleansing has a strong fan base all over the internet, even with those who suffer from acne because many people have tried it out and loved the results! Learn more about oil cleansing here. Basically, add a few drops of clove oil into your oil face wash and carry on oil cleansing as usual. This will really help prevent acne attacks and keep your skin fresh and clean.
» Acne cream
Make your own DIY acne cream by simply mixing 2 tablespoons of melted shea butter with 6 drops of clove oil. Store this in a clean container and use twice a day. Shea butter is a perfect moisturizer for acne because it is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores!
» Facial steaming
Open up those pores and get some antibacterial fumes to reach deep into the acne and pimples, annihilating the nasty bacteria that cause infections. You can do this through facial steam. Simply get a large pot and fill it with steaming hot water and a few drops of clove oil. Place the pot on a table, sit down with your face over the pot where you can feel the steam touching your skin. Do this for at least 5 minutes to reduce acne.
» Add a few drops to your existing products
If you still have products such as your creams, lotions, face washes (I recommend replacing all of them with non-toxic DIY items) and you don’t want to let them go to waste, you can add a few drop of clove oil when using each of them to obtain the benefits of this wonderful oil for acne.
Safety tips for using clove oil for acne
They say all good things come with a catch, and clove oil is not immune to that saying. Use clove oil wisely and take the following tips into consideration:
- Make sure to do a patch test
If this is your first time using clove oil, make sure you perform a simple patch test by applying diluted clove oil (2 drops in 1 tsp of any carrier oil like olive oil) on your inner wrist. Wait for 30 minutes to 6 hours to notice any adverse reactions such as redness, itchiness or rash. If you have no adverse reactions, then you’re lucky enough to go ahead and enjoy the benefits of clove oil. - Always dilute when applying over a large area
It’s fine to use undiluted clove oil directly on to your skin if you are using it as a spot treatment (provided your skin is not sensitive). But when applying over a large area, always dilute the essential oil by mixing 2 drops of clove oil into 1 teaspoon of a suitable carrier oil. - Use high quality clove oil
Your skin is precious and it is always recommended that you use high quality, organic clove oil from trusted sources to make sure that it is pure and not cut with mineral oil, or other duplicate oils and fragrances.
