What is Acne?

Acne is a chronic skin disorder that occurs on the face but may involve the neck, chest, back and upper arms.



This condition is common during puberty due to sensitivity to the normal level of hormones in the body. This change in response causes excess production of oil from sebaceous glands which cause blocked hair follicles. Acne thus manifests itself in the form of black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts or infected abscesses, which sometimes leads to acne scars.

Occurence of acne reduces over time and is known to diminish with age. However, severe acne may leave small scars that create abcesses in the skin.



Acne scars are difficult and expensive to treat and it is unusual for the scars to be successfully removed completely.

It is important to note that acne is only a skin disorder and does not affect the general health condition. Heredity, diet, hyperactive sebaceous glands, hormonal activity, hygiene, stress, and general illness are known acne- inducing factors.

Traditionally, attention has been focused mostly on hormone-driven over-production of sebum as the main contributing factor of acne. More recently, the narrowing of the follicle channel has gained focus as the second main contributing factor of acne.

Acne Treatment using Aromatherapy

Treating skin disorders by aromatherapy is a commonly used natural treatment for acne that can be traced to ancient times. Aromatherapy is a preferred treatment because aromatherapy increases circulation and oxygenation in the skin thus making it an ideal beauty therapy. Moreover, essential oils present in aromatherapy face masks and oil blends rejuvenate the skin, help eliminate toxic waste and slow the aging process naturally.

Of the many aromatherapy oils that are commercially available, tea tree oil is probably the best-known acne remedy, followed by lavender which has also been recommended as an effective remedy.



Tea tree oil is known to have antifungal and antiseptic properties and can eliminate acne effectively without any side effects that other prescription drugs may cause.

Certain aromatherapy remedies have been shown to inhibit growth of certain bacteria that are known to be acne causing. This is so because the aromatherapy oils contain farnesol, a chemical compound that inhibits a type of acne-causing bacteria. Hence, acne caused by bacteria can be best treated by topical application of any of the following aromatherapy essential oils that contain farnesol:
• Jasmine essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Myrrh essential oil
• Palma Rosa essential oil
• Sandalwood essential oil
• Ylang Ylang essential oil

Other essential oils that provide an effective acne treatment include: Chamomile, cedar wood, clove, geranium, grapefruit, juniper, patchouli, peppermint and tangerine. Chamomile tea, once cooled, makes a good daily rinse for the face.



It is important to note that while applying essential oils topically most of these essential oils need to be diluted with a mild carrier oil first.

Treating Acne scars using Aromatherapy

Acne scars can be treated with topical application of:
• Lavender, Bergamot, Lemongrass and Tea Tree essential oils known to have antiseptic properties to help fight bacterial infection and skin inflammation.
• Geranium essential oil helps balance the skin sebum and aid in repair of the skin.
• Rosehip seed oil is known to reduce scar tissue because it is high in essential fatty acids. Thus, acne scars can fade faster by applying rosehip seed oil directly to the scars.




• Aloe Vera juice and gels are good for topical application and for consumption to heal scars effectively
Nutritional Tips:
• Intake of foods containing Zinc (grains, meat, fish, poultry and dairy products) and Vitamin A (Breads, cereals and grain products) .Both are important nutrients which aid the management of skin conditions, wound healing and healthy tissue regeneration.
• It is advisable to avoid sugar and refined processed foods as sugar is known to cause acne eruptions overnight.
• Eat plenty of vegetables preferably raw, whole grains and lean meats.
• Fruit should be limited due to the sugar content.
• Drink plenty of water. At least 10 glasses, a day to flush out toxins within the system.

Some Acne Treating Recipes using Essential Oils:

Here is a compilation of various acne treating recipes that put to use the therapeutic goodness of essential oils:

Blemish Treatment

• Make a blend of:  4 ml Jojoba oil + 20 drops of Lavender + 20 drops of Tea Tree essential oil. Mix well.
• Place a small amount of this blend on the blemish. Can be applied several times a day
Back Acne
• Choose three or four of the essential oils recommended for acne, and make a 5% solution with the essential oils in purified water and two tablespoons of aloe vera gel.




• Use a dark glass bottle with a pump spray, shake the bottle well, and spray the aromatherapy blend on the back.

Acne Treatment

• Make a blend comprising of the following proportion of essential oils: 4 ml of Jojoba, 8 drops each of Lavender, Rosewood, Tea tree and 4 drops each of Chamomile, Geranium, Helichrysum and Lemon.
• Blend well and apply a finger tip of this oil to the blemishes.
• Can be applied several times a day.

Acne Scar Treatment

• Make a blend of 8 drops frankincense oil, 5 drops of Lavender oil and 25ml of Rosehip oil .Mix well.
• Gently massage into affected areas twice daily
• Avoid applying this blend when the acne is active.

Never:

• Squeeze pimple, blemish, or pustules. Doing this spreads infection and damages delicate tissues that might cause scarring. 
• Try to keep hands away from the face. Touching the skin with unclean hands can introduce germs and dirt that might trigger acne or blemishes.