15 Best Essential Oils For Skin Care And Recipes

Essential oils are divine! They do wonder on the skin. There are hundreds of essential oils to choose from, with benefits ranging from reducing wrinkles and exfoliating skin to healing scars and even clearing up acne. With so many essential oils to choose from you are probably wondering, which are the best essential oils for my skin? Here, I have shared the top 15 essential oils for skin care which I have used personally and I loved all of them.

I really love to use essential oils for my skin because they helped me to get rid of many skin problems. The key to adding essential oils to your skincare routine is to use them properly and to choose them according to your skin type. so, for the first thing, let’s see what is an essential oil.

What Is Essential Oil?

The essential oil is, simply put, the “essence” of a plant, obtained by water or steam distillation, or by cold pressing (for citrus peel oils). Through this process, the oils inside a plant can be extracted into a highly concentrated form.

Or, Essential oils are highly concentrated, natural plant-based aromatic fluids that offer a wealth of benefits when used safely in aromatherapy, skincare, personal care, spiritual and other wellness applications.

Essential oils are extracted directly from the bark, flower fruit, leaves, nut, resin, or root of a plant or tree, and just one drop can provide the amazing health and beauty benefits.

Why Is Essential Oil Good For Skin?

• Essential oil gets absorbed by the skin easily and hence, it works fast. The molecules in the essential oils are small enough to allow them to penetrate through the skin. The molecules travel through the epidermis (the top layer of skin) reaching the dermis (a deeper layer of skin) and to the blood vessels allowing them to circulate through to all body areas.
• Essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties which kill microbes causing damages to the skin.
• Essential oils have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which heal the skin.

Now, take a look at what the best essential oils for skin care and how to use them properly to get the desired result.

1. Lavender Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Wrinkles, Dark Spots & Scars, Skin Dryness

The lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can fight the bacteria that cause acne and inflammation. It relieves itching and reduces the symptoms of eczema. It also decongests the irritated areas on the skin by adding moisture, thereby accelerating the healing process.

In a 2016 study, researchers found that lavender oil promotes the healing of skin tissue. (Source)

It can be a great moisturizer for dry and chapped skin because it balances the sebum production of the skin. It gives moisture to the area around the eyes which removes the wrinkles associated with dryness.

Lavender tones and makes your skin firm as it boosts circulation, thus resulting in an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrition to the skin cells. This helps in keeping the cells healthy and boosting their renewal process. It also removes dark spots and scars due to its cell regenerative property.

Recipe To Try – Lavender Body Lotion

2. Tea Tree Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- Acne-prone Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Pimples, Blemishes, Blackheads

Tea tree oil for acne is a great natural treatment. It contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties that work together to reduce acne inflammation. It kills acne-causing bacteria and prevents acne. It unclogs pores and exfoliates the dead cells and dirt.

A smaller study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology in 2007 involved 60 people with mild to moderate acne who were treated with either a gel containing 5 percent tea tree oil or a placebo for 45 days. Researchers found that the tea tree oil was more effective than the placebo in reducing the severity of acne and the total number of acne lesions. (Source) 

Tea tree oil is very effective on acne. It also checks future acne but without any side effects like redness and itching.

Recipe To Try – Activated Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Face Cleanser

3. Geranium Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Wrinkles, Skin Dryness, Oily Skin, Pimples

Geranium Essential Oil is known to effectively eliminate dead cells and to promote the regeneration of newer, healthier skin, thus benefitting acne-prone skin. Its astringent property helps tighten the skin and to diminish the appearance of the symptoms of aging, such as sagging and wrinkling skin. It helps to hydrate dry skin and fades dark spots.

Geranium essential oil provides nutritive benefits to skin and has ultra-moisturizing properties that keep skin cells hydrated and excess oil-free.

4. Lemon Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- Acne-prone Skin, Oily Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Dark spots, Acne, Pimples, Uneven Skin Tone

The lemon essential oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which fight bacteria-causing acne and avoiding future acne. The astringent properties of lemon oil shrink and constrict excess oil and dirt from the pores.

It has vitamin C  which reduces the appearance of dark spots and other types of sun damage. It helps to fade post-breakout red marks by improving the skin’s natural healing response. The citric acid of lemon oil which acts as a chemical exfoliant which removes the dead cells and has an acidic property that eliminates excess oil.

Read – 10 Beauty Benefits Of Lemon Oil For Skin & Hair

5. Rose Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Oily Skin, Wrinkles, Dark Spots & Scars, Skin Dryness

Rose essential oil is widely used for cosmetic purposes as it is very good for your skin. It can help you fade away scars and dark spots left over from acne, pimples and leave you with smooth skin. The antioxidant properties of this oil help with healing your skin quickly.

Rose essential oil balances moisture levels in the skin which keeps the skin hydrated and healthy. It is a natural skin toner because of its astringent properties. It helps to tone skin which reduces excess oiliness and tightens large pores.

It has antioxidant properties which help to fade away wrinkles and protects from sun damage. It firms the skin and gives a glowing look.

6. Helichrysum Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Scars, Dark Spots, Wrinkles, Stretch Marks

Helichrysum essential oil is one of the few essential oils that contain “diketones,” which can help reduce the appearance of age spots, dark spots, scars, and discoloration. It is also perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Helichrysum oil has a moisturizing property and helps prevent dryness. One of the most exciting newer discoveries with this oil, however, is its anti-aging property. It’s perfect for helping to make skin look more firm, youthful, and vibrant. It is also said that it helps in fading stretch marks.

7. Sandalwood Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Dry Skin, Pimples, Scars, Dark Spots

The anti-inflammatory properties of sandalwood essential oil have soothing effects which help calm down acne inflammation and redness. It’s antibacterial and antiseptic properties help to fight off acne-causing bacteria and help keep popped pimple wounds clean and germ-free.

It is known that the sandalwood essential oil can repair even a mature skin that has been mistreated for years, bringing back its vitality and reversing the effects of poor treatment.

It helps to fade wrinkles, scars, dark spots and moisturizes the dry skin. It can give you a healthy and glowing skin.

8. Cypress Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- Acne-prone Skin, Damaged Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Pimples, Blemishes, Scars, Sebum Production

Cypress essential oil has an astringent property and astringents help cleanse the skin pores and prevent acne. It also prevents scarring from acne and keeps your pores healthy.

Cypress essential oil possesses antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties, making it soothing for a quicker recovery for wounds. Hence, it heals the damaged skin effectively and makes skin glowing.

9. Patchouli Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Skin Dryness, Wrinkles, Scars

Patchouli essential oil soothes inflammation and redness on the skin. It also soothes skin irritation. It helps in the maintenance of healthy skin and also protects your facial muscles from free radical damage. In addition, it tones and tightens the skin.

It also has antifungal properties that ward off common fungal infections. Patchouli oil also treats skin conditions including seborrhoea, acne, and dermatitis. It moisturizes skin cells deeply.

When it comes to reducing wrinkles, scars and stretch marks, patchouli essential oil does a wonderful job. It has excellent tissue regenerating properties and it helps with cell repair.

10. Chamomile Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Skin Irritation, Redness, Dryness, Acne, Scars

Chamomile essential oil helps relieve acne because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can significantly reduce skin inflammation when applied to the skin regularly. It is one of the best essential oils for reducing sensitive skin. It helps to decrease redness, reduce inflammation and calm down irritated skin. It also moisturizes the dry skin and helps to control sebum production.

Chamomile essential oil also prevents premature aging because it has anti-oxidant properties. Antioxidants ward off free radicals which steal oxygen from healthy skin cells and make them dull & lifeless. By using chamomile essential oil on your face, you’ll decrease wrinkles and look youthful!

11. Frankincense Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- All Skin Types
• Best For Skin Problems- Wrinkles, Dark Spots, Saggy Skin, Acne

Frankincense is an antiseptic and disinfectant agent that has antimicrobial effects. It has the ability to treat acne or pimples and prevents future ones. It regenerates new skin cells at a faster rate which ultimately heals scars, wrinkles, stretch marks, and even pregnancy marks.

Frankincense oil lightens dark spots and exfoliates dead skin cells. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it heals and rejuvenates skin.

Recipe To Try – Frankincense & Coffee Eye Cream

12. Peppermint Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type- Oily Skin, Damaged Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Sunburnt Skin, Balances Sebum Production, Skin Redness

Peppermint essential oil makes skin energized and alive. It does promote blood flow and helps liven up the feeling of your skin. It is helpful for oily and combination skin, as it helps balance natural oils. That means fewer clogged pores.

The soothing ability makes it an essential oil to get relief from the sun damage. The antibacterial properties keep the bacteria damaging our skin i.e it treats acne and keeps the skin free from blackheads and whiteheads.

13. Carrot Seed Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type – Aging Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Wrinkles, Dark Spots, Scars, Age Spots, Saggy Skin

Carrot seed oil is high in antioxidants, it is a natural ingredient for any anti-aging skin formula. The oil also has moisturizing vitamin A, E and protective vitamin C, which work together to help bring new life to the skin.

It can help firm and tone the skin, lightens wrinkles and fades age spots. It also helps you to protect from harmful UV rays.

14. Myrrh Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type – Acne-prone, Aging Skin, Dry Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Wrinkles, Skin Dryness, Scars

The myrrh essential oil helps to maintain healthy skin by eliminating bacteria and microbes. It also helps to prevent acne, pimples. It can also be used as an effective moisturizer to prevent dry skin from forming defined lines and as a toner to reduce pore size. Finally, it is also said that it can assist with the removal of scars, promoting hydration and flawless skin.

15. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil For Skin

• Best For Skin Type – Acne-prone, Aging Skin, Dry Skin
• Best For Skin Problems- Acne, Wrinkles, Skin Dryness, Scars

Ylang ylang oil is good for balancing excess oil production on the skin. This makes it good for combination skin. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of ylang-ylang oil make it good for soothing skin irritations. It has antioxidant properties that fight off free radicals which are responsible for premature aging, fine lines & wrinkles.

Essential Oil Recipes For Skin And Face

1. Essential Oil Blend For Acne & Dark Spots

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon jojoba oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil  (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops cypress essential oil  (Buy From Here)

Using a funnel, pour jojoba oil into a dark colored glass dropper bottle. Then carefully, add all essential oil and shake the bottle well to mix everything completely. Apply it twice a day on a cleansed face.

2. Face Moisturizer For Oily Skin

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon hemp seed oil (Buy From Here)
• 3 tablespoon aloe vera gel (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil (Buy From Here)
•  10 drops rose essential oil (Buy From Here)

Mix everything in a bowl and store it in a glass container or a pump bottle. Apply it daily on a cleansed face as a daily moisturizer.

3. Essential Oil Face Serum For Wrinkles & Scars

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoon rosehip seed oil (Buy From Here)
•  7 drops frankincense essential oil  (Buy From Here)
•  5 drops geranium essential oil (Buy From Here)
•  3 drops patchouli essential oil (Buy From Here)

Using a funnel, pour rosehip oil into a dark colored glass dropper bottle. Then carefully, add all essential oil and shake the bottle well to mix everything completely. Apply it twice a day on a cleansed face.

4. Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil (Buy From Here)
• 1/3 cup shea butter (Buy From Here)
•  10 drops rose essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 1/4 teaspoon vitamin e oil (Buy From Here)
•  7 drops myrrh essential oil (Buy From Here)

Using a double boiler system, melt shea butter and then add avocado oil. Mix both the ingredients well and remove the mixture from the stove. Let the mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy and thick. Now, add vitamin e oil and essential oils in the bowl and whip it until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Store it in a glass jar.

5. Essential Oil Blend for dark circles & Puffy Eyes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon almond oil (Buy From Here)
• 1/4 teaspoon vitamin e oil (Buy From Here)
•  3 drops lavender essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 2 tablespoon aloe vera gel (Buy From Here)

Mix everything in a bowl and store it in a glass container or a pump bottle. Apply it daily on a cleansed eye area as a daily eye cream.

6. Essential Oil Blend For Sensitive skin

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoon jojoba oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops chamomile essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops sandalwood essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops rose essential oil (Buy From Here)

Using a funnel, pour jojoba oil into a dark colored glass dropper bottle. Then carefully, add all essential oil and shake the bottle well to mix everything completely. Apply it twice a day on a cleansed face. This face serum calms red, irritated and itchy skin.

7. Moisturizing Body Butter For Dry Skin

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Sunflower oil (Buy From Here)
• 1/4 cup shea butter (Buy From Here)
• 1/4 cocoa butter (Buy From Here)
• 7 drops ylang-ylang essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 10 drops lavender essential oil (Buy From Here)

Using a double boiler system, melt shea butter, cocoa butter and then add the sunflower oil. Mix all the ingredients well and remove the mixture from the stove. Let the mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy and thick. Now, add all essential oils in the bowl and whip it until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Store it in a glass jar.

8. Multi-Purpose Beeswax Beauty Balm

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoon rosehip seed oil (Buy From Here)
• 1.5 tablespoon grated beeswax (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops helichrysum essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops lavender essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil  (Buy From Here)

Using a double boiler system, melt beeswax and then add rosehip oil. Mix all the ingredients well and remove the mixture from the stove. Now, immediately add all essential oils in the mixture and mix well. Transfer the mixture into a glass container and let the mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy and thick.

You can use beeswax beauty balm as a daily face moisturizer, hand cream, face mask, cuticle cream, and frizzy hair tamer.

9. Frankincense & Lemon Night Cream

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon almond oil (Buy From Here)
• 1/3 shea butter (Buy From Here)
• 1/4 teaspoon vitamin e oil (Buy From Here)
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 10 drops lemon essential oil (Buy From Here)

Using a double boiler system, melt shea butter and then add almond oil. Mix both the ingredients well and remove the mixture from the stove. Let the mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy and thick. Now, add vitamin e oil and essential oils in the bowl and whip it until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Store it in a glass jar. Apply it daily on a cleansed face as a night cream. Always use sunscreen before going out in the sun.

10. Tea Tree Oil Face Scrub For Blackheads

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (Buy From Here)
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil (Buy From Here)
• 1 drop lemon essential oil (Buy From Here)

Mix everything in a bowl and apply the scrub on the affected area (like the nose, chin, forehead). Massage the area for 2-3 minutes and wipe it off with a damp cloth. Apply it twice a week.

Wondering How Else To Use Essential Oils For skincare?

There are various ways to use essential oil in the skincare routine. But there are some essential oils recipes that I like most. Some of my personal favorites that I use regularly:

• Frankincense anti-aging cream for wrinkles
• Tea tree oil acne gel
• Rosehip oil face moisturizer for mature skin
• Rose body and face lotion

Precautions While Using Essential Oils For Skin Care

• Never take essential oils internally unless so advised by your medical practitioner.
• Keep essential oils out of the reach of children.
• Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin.
• If you are pregnant, lactating or suffer from epilepsy, hypertension (high blood pressure), have cancer or liver damage, or any other medical condition, only use essential oils under the guidance of a qualified aroma practitioner/aromatherapist.
• If you are using a new un-tried essential oil, first do a skin patch test before using extensively. If irritation occurs with a specific oil or formula, discontinue the use of such oil or formula.
• Take care not to get any essential oils into your eyes or on to any mucous membranes.
• A wise practice is to always wash your hands after handling pure undiluted essential oils.