August 31, 2021

Best Essential Oils for Skincare

We are beginning to understand some of the negative health and environmental impacts of using synthetic chemicals in our beauty routine. Here at ECO. we have a range of skin care that is natural and cruelty free to help us lead a healthy life. Or, for the DIY enthusiast, this collection of essential oils can be used to create your own beauty products.

Skin can reflect our state of health. Feelings of stress, fatigue or even contentment readily show up on our faces. Essential oils are a part of a holistic skin care program because they not only have properties to improve and maintain skin they also support our emotional state.

Essential Oils for Skin Types

Dry Skin

Dry skin highly benefits from daily face massage. Add 1 drop of essential oil to 5ml carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil and gently massage into face and neck.

Essential oils for dry skin:

Rose: May help soothe dry skin and restore integrity of the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.

Jasmine: Recommended for dry skin with its stimulating properties and is also great for healing due to its cicatrisive properties (good for wound healing).

Neroli: Great for dry skin due to its regenerating, cicatrisive and cytophylaactic properties (protects the cells & increase cellular activity).

Oily/Acne Prone Skin

Oily skin responds well to steam treatment. The heat encourages sweating, which cleans out the pores and promotes healing bloody flow to the face. Add 2 drops of any combination of recommended essential oils for oily skin to a bowl of steaming hot water. Place your face near the bowl and cover your head with a towel to trap in aromatic vapours. Relax and steam for up to 5 minutes. A great skin refresher, it can be done 2 to 3 times per week.

A gentle face massage can be used to help fight acne and stimulate the lymphatic system. Simply add 1 drop to 5ml carrier oil. Try to direct massage strokes from the midline towards the outer edge of your jaw to promote lymphatic drainage.

Essential oils for oily/acne prone skin:

Sandalwood: Acne prone skin can also benefit from Sandalwood essential oil to help clear infection.

Cedarwood: The astringent and antiseptic quality of Cedarwood is beneficial for treating acne.

Lavender: It is a good antimicrobial and can help treat infections that cause pimples and boils. It also has great anti-inflammatory properties which can be evident in acne prone skin as well as regenerating properties to help with skin integrity and scarring.

Geranium: Considered an astringent, Geranium essential oil cleanses and tones the skin, and can be used in a body wash.

Combination Skin

What is combination skin? Combination skin can be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others, such as the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin).

Depending on where you are targeting can depend on which essential oils you choose to use. Refer to the dry & oil skin types and choose accordingly.

Another essential oil for combination skin type:

Palmarosa: It is great at balancing sebum production and has antiseptic plus antimicrobial properties.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin types are prone to inflammation. This may be accompanied with rosacea, acne, contact dermatitis or eczema. Sometimes it can be itchy and generally they hold a red flush in the skin. Friction movements should be avoided for sensitive skin types and approached with a gentle touch.

To reduce redness, add 1 drop of essential oil to a bowl of room temperature to cool water. Dip a face washer in and squeeze out excess water. Drape the compress over your face and relax for 5 minutes.

Chamomile: Invaluable to those with sensitive skin as it is very calming and gentle. It is helpful to treat a complexion that is prone to redness as it can tone surface capillaries.

Neroli: Due to its regenerating properties it is particularly useful for sensitive skin.

Lavender: Prized for its healing and relaxing qualities, Lavender is a must for those with sensitive skin. Topically it is a great anti-inflammatory and internally with it's calmative properties it can help minimise stress which can be

Normal Skin

Normal skin types are the lucky ones among us all. Keeping the skin hydrated and protected are key for normal skin types to maintain integrity.

Choose from the above essential oils are personalise to your skin needs each month. Avoid citrus essential oils in the morning due to photosensitivity (interaction with light).

Shop Natural Skincare

Author: Georgia Doherty
Marketing Assistant

Georgia is the Marketing Assistant at ECO. Modern Essentials. Georgia oversees the company's social media platforms, helps coordinate brand collaborations, is a leader for ECO.'s content creation + DIY recipes and manages ECO.'s affiliate program. She is a qualified Beauty Therapist with extensive Dermal Therapy qualifications, a Diploma in Training Design & Development with a Aromatherapy Practitioner Certificate. Georgia is passionate about leading a happy & healthy life and helping educate those around her.

Learn more here.