Are essential oils bad for rosacea? This is a highly debatable question. Most essential oils aggravate rosacea but some actually help reduce it! In this article, find out which essential oils are good for rosacea and which ones to avoid.
Why are Essential Oils Bad for Rosacea?
Essential oils are praised natural remedies for various health conditions from the common cold to cancer. Why would they be bad for rosacea? Here are a few reasons to not apply essential oils on rosacea skin:
Fragrance-free is the way to go for rosacea. Fragrances are known to irritate sensitive skin types such as that with rosacea. And essential oils are fragrances – only that they’re natural and have healing properties.
Essential oils make skin warm when applied. Most essential oils including lavender, geranium and more, which are very good for skin in particular give warming sensations when applied on it. This warmth increases blood circulation which promotes healthy and beautiful skin. But for flushed, hot and red rosacea skin, applying something that’s going to make your skin feel warm is a no-no. It’ll make your skin even redder, appear more flushed and have more burning feels. However, some essential oils are cooling in nature and these might be good for rosacea as we shall see below.
Why Use Essential Oils for Rosacea?
Powerful antimicrobial agents. Rosacea is said to be caused by demodex mites (Demodex folliculorum) commonly found on the skin, which triggers inflammation leading to rosacea. Essential oils help fight off these mites, thereby reducing any more rosacea flare-ups.
Anti-inflammatory agents. Rosacea is characterized by inflamed, red, burning, overheated and flushed skin. Many essential oils are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can help soothe and reduce inflammation.
Some essential oils help cool down overheated skin. Though most essential oils provide warming sensations when applied diluted on skin, some actually have the opposite effect – they cool down skin and make hot irritated and flushed skin feel better. These oils include peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus, among others.
Heal skin. Many essential oils heal skin and protect it from inflammation, microbes and free radicals that degenerate them and cause conditions like rosacea.
Essential Oils for Rosacea
1. Peppermint (where to get it) – cooling, refreshing, anti-inflammatory, numbs pain & burning sensations
2. Chamomile (where to get it) – healing, anti-inflammatory
3. Helichrysum (where to get it) – healing, treat breakouts & scars
4. Myrrh (where to get it) – healing, antimicrobial
5. Vetiver (where to get it) – cooling, refreshing, pain relief
How to Use Essential Oils for Rosacea
Below are three DIY recipes using natural ingredients and essential oils for rosacea:
1. Gentle Facial Cleanser
What you need
- 2 oz unscented liquid castile soap (where to get it)
- 2 oz organic wildflower honey (where to get it)
- 1 oz distilled water (where to get it)
- ½ oz rosehip oil (where to get it)
- 2 drops chamomile
- 2 drops helichrysum
- Liquid soap dispenser (where to get it)
Method
- Combine the ingredients in a liquid soap dispenser. It lasts over 6 weeks at room temperature but will last longer if kept refrigerated.
- To use, pump once on your palm, rub both palms together and lather up your face.
- Rinse well with tepid or cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
2. Cooling Face Mist
What you need
- 1/2 cup of distilled water (where to get it)
- 1 tsp aloe vera gel (where to get it)
- 2 drops peppermint
- 1 drop myrhh or chamomile
- 4 oz amber glass spray bottle (where to get it)
Method
- Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.
- Spritz onto face and neck whenever skin feels overheated, irritated and flushed.
- It’s totally optional but you can keep refrigerated for a cooling facial mist.
3. Soothing Skin Moisturizing Gel
What you need
- ¼ cup aloe vera gel (where to get it)
- 2 drops vetiver
- 2 drops peppermint
- 4 oz amber glass jar (where to get it)
Method
- Whisk the essential oils into the aloe vera gel and transfer to an amber glass jar (amber protects the aloe vera from light degradation).
- To use, scoop a pea-sized amount and apply gently all over your face. Use every after cleansing your face. It lasts more than 3 months. Store in the refrigerator if you want to be fresh longer and feel cool on your skin when applied.
