12 Best Essential Oils for Acne

To someone with acne-prone skin, applying oils to the face sounds like a recipe for a massive breakout. We’re so accustomed to using oil-free moisturizers and makeup, that the mere suggestion of using an oil sounds horrifying. Yet, facial oils aren’t as bad as we’ve made them out to be. In fact, they’re pretty awesome. We’ve already seen how cleansing oils and oil-based cleansing balms can do wonders for skin and the right essential oils can actually help clear up acne. Celebrity esthetician Angela Caglia recommends essential oils for acne because they are able to treat skin by reducing inflammation without stripping. That’s something we can’t say about a lot of harsh acne treatments, which can leave skin red and flaky. Additionally, essential oils are plant-derived, so they’re typically kinder to skin and the products they’re found in are often natural or organic. Tea tree oil is one of the most well-known acne-fighting oils thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties — not to mention its telltale woodsy scent. It can also help to minimize acne scars. Acne-fighting essential oils don’t end there. Rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, clary sage oil, clove bud oil, black cumin seed oil, juniper berry oil and even relaxing lavender oil can help improve skin. Tara Pelletier, co-founder of Meow Meow Tweet, says, “Eucalyptus and clove bud essential oils are both antibacterial and antiseptic, which make them great for fighting the bacteria that causes blemishes. Eucalyptus is also anti-inflammatory, so it will soothe the swelling in the blemish, while clove bud oil boosts blood circulation, which will help the skin to heal itself faster, too.” Pimple-fighting essential oils can be purchased in their pure forms and mixed into a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, before they’re applied to skin. Or, they can be found in ready-made products. Prefer the latter option? Discover the most effective essential oils for acne by clicking through the gallery.

[ Next: The Best (and Worst!) Acne Treatments, According to Consumers ]

Essential Oils for Acne

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is renowned for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This tea tree oil product can be applied directly to spots and reapplied throughout the day as needed. The oil is hand-harvested within 12 hours, so we're getting a potent product.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, $18 at The Body Shop
Blue Tansy

Fall in love with this oil for its brilliant blue color, but stay for the formula. The Instagram-worthy oil gets its color from blue tansy, a plant oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Those with oily or blemish-prone skin can apply a few drops for more hydrated, clearer skin.

Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Facial Oil, $72 at Birchbox
Essential Oil Blend

Unbalanced skin means redness, irritation and pimples. Balanced skin means an even, glowing complexion. A combination of sage, rosemary, geranium, neroli and lavender works to turn blemished skin into balanced skin. Additionally, the herby aroma helps to reduce tension and anxiety after a stressful day at work...or when the Wi-Fi isn't connecting again.

LINNÉ Balance Face Oil, $62 at Revolve
Essential Oil Blend

This spot treatment may be small, but it delivers big results. The natural acne treatment clears up zits and reduces redness using a combination of salicylic acid and plant extracts, including tea tree leaf oil and eucalyptus oil. It's noncomedogenic, which means it will not clog pores. So, get over that fear of oils making pimples worse.

Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment, $11.99 at Ricky's
Black Cumin Oil

Odacité combines luxury French skin care with green California living. The result is effective, cruelty-free skin care products. This purifying serum can be mixed into moisturizers or applied directly to skin. It utilizes black cumin oil, which helps stop the spread of acne-causing bacteria. Here we thought it was only good for curries.

Odacité Bl + C Black Cumin-Cajeput Pimples Serum Concentrate, $32 at Nordstrom
Essential Oil Blend

The vivid green color gives this ultra clarifying face oil an out-of-this-world vibe (get it?), but it's the formula that combines salicylic acid into a blend of acne-fighting oils like black cumin seed oil and tea tree oil. The result is an effective pimple fighter that treats blackheads and blemishes without drying out skin.

Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, $80 at Sephora
Lavender and Tea Tree Oil

There are creams, lotions, salves, balms and even tinctures. Don't be intimidated because tinctures are simply liquid extracts from plants and they can be very effective at treating pimples. This one is made with a lavender and tea tree oil blend. It comes in a tiny roll-on bottle that can be stashed in bags to treat zits at any time of the day, anywhere.

Farmaesthetics Blemish Tincture, $22 at Farmaesthetics
Essential Oil Blend

Roll-on applicators aren't just for perfumes. This easy-to-apply spot treatment can be rolled over skin at the first hint of blemishes. Jojoba oil plus clove bud, thyme and peppermint oils help stop acne bacteria so pimples may never "sprout." What's more, the treatment has an aromatic smell that's way better than the medicinal scent typically associated with acne treatments.

Meow Meow Tweet Spot Serum, $25 at Meow Meow Tweet
Tea Tree Oil

This essence was developed by Korea's first-ever dermatologist, Dr. Lee Ji Ham. Apply a pea-sized amount of the lightweight product after cleansing and toning to moisturize and keep pores clear. The product contains a whopping 90 percent tea tree extract and is formulated for troubled and sensitive skin.

LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence, $45 at Glow Recipe
Essential Oil Blend

Interesting fact: The great-aunt of Uma's founder had a skin care crisis before her wedding. So, her mom used her knowledge of botany and Ayurvedic scripture to craft something that would treat the pimples. The resulting oil cleared up the bride-to-be's skin so well that the creator's teenage son started using it, too. Thankfully, the rest of us are able to get in on the family secret that combines tea tree, lavender, clary sage and clove essential oils in a grapeseed oil base.

Uma Deeply Clarifying Face Oil, $125 at Space.NK
Neroli and Marula Oil

This oil is a splurge, but it's worth it because it targets multiple skin care concerns, from acne to dryness to fine lines and wrinkles. The secret is the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic infusion of neroli and marula oil. It balances skin, detoxifies and combats damage without clogging pores. Apply a few drops day and night for healthy, glowing skin.

African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil Balancing Face Oil, $120 at Space.NK
Essential Oil Blend

This clarifying oil, made with manuka, sea buckthorn and rosehip oils, has a handy dropper to dispense the right amount of product. Use it as a spot treatment or apply it all over to balance sebum levels and help prevent new pimples from forming. The oils and salicylic acid keep pores clear as opposed to clogging them. We swear.

Bobbi Brown Skin Clarifier No. 75 - Pore & Oil Control, $45 at Bobbi Brown