In this article, we examine the use of 3 essential oils for rosacea, if they can improve rosacea symptoms, and how to safely use essential oils.
Over the last decade, essential oils have taken the homeopathic and natural alternative body care world by storm.
In this article, we examine the use of essential oils for rosacea; is using essential oils on rosacea safe? What essential oils have the most scientific evidence to support topical use?
Let’s find out how you can use natural alternatives like essential oils to help improve your rosacea.
Simply put, essential oils are plant extracts. Essential oils are made up of organic compounds of plant material.
The extraction removes beneficial organic compounds which may often result in pleasant-smelling oils that are packed with the “essence” of a plant.
Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin flushing, redness, visible broken capillaries, and skin dryness.
The redness is caused by the swelling of small blood vessels on the face. Redness is often seen on the chin, cheeks, nose, and forehead.
Rosacea might display as persistent flushing or blushing. It is estimated that from 10 to 20 million Americans have the condition.
Learn More: How To Use a Rosacea Diary To Identify Your Rosacea Triggers in 5 Steps
Currently, there is no cure for the skin condition of rosacea. Instead, there are topical solutions that may improve the overall appearance of rosacea and may help reduce flare-ups.
It is likely once someone has this condition, it can appear in flare-ups throughout the course of someone’s life.
Learn More: Is Rosacea Curable? What You Should Know About a Rosacea Diagnosis
Managing the inflammation of the skin seems to be a good course of action with rosacea.
In this 2018 study, participants applied an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant botanical enriched moisturizer and 50% of participants showed significant improvement with scaling, flaking, and a reduction in overall redness.
Essential oils can be used as aromatherapy (smelling the oils directly or via an oil diffuser) and they can be diluted into serums, oils, shampoos, and lotions for topical use.
It is important to note, if you want to use essential oils topically, you should dilute the oils as they are potent and could irritate the skin. You can dilute essential oils by adding the essences to carrier oils such as jojoba oil, avocado oil, and rosehip oil.
Keep to suggested dilution ratios for adults such as:
There are a few important things to consider if you want to try essential oils for the treatment of Rosacea.
Also Read: 6 Rosacea Myths: Learn the Truth Behind Rosacea
These top 3 essential oils for rosacea have all been tested as alternative treatments for the common skin condition rosacea. As rosacea is a chronic inflammation of the skin, these oils all focus on lowering and managing skin inflammation.
According to a 2011 study, the use of a rose tincture or rose water may improve skin irritation caused by rosacea. The antioxidant properties of rose are said to have an anti-inflammatory effect when used topically. The Latin botanical name for Rose
Remember to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil.
The most soothing of the bunch, chamomile essential oil is great for treating those with sensitive skin and skin inflammation.
Many studies support the use of chamomile essential oils for rosacea as it is skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory, cooling, and calms redness and itchiness. Active constituents of this plant include terpenoids and flavonoids which have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Chamomile is best known for its calming properties when enjoyed as a dried flower night-time tea. These same calming properties are observed when used as a topical essence. The Latin botanical names for Chamomile
Remember to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil.
Perhaps the most talked-about essential oil for rosacea, tea tree oil is made from the leaves of an Australian tree called Melaleuca alternifolia. This potent smelling oil is also a powerful essential oil that is utilized most often for its antimicrobial properties.
For the use of rosacea, tea tree oil is thought to be helpful as it can kill Demodex mites, a common microscopic skin mite that is seen in high numbers on those who suffer from rosacea.
Demodex folliculorum are found on all humans and can be perfectly harmless. However, “Evidence appears to be mounting that an overabundance of Demodex may possibly trigger an immune response in people with rosacea, or that the inflammation may be caused by certain bacteria associated with the mites.”
The use of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory tea tree essential oil could lower the dominance of Demodex skin mites that could be the culprit of Rosacea. This oil should be used with caution as it can be irritating to those with sensitive skin. Remember to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil.
If natural remedies are just not cutting it, topical prescription medicines might be the best option for you. If your rosacea is particularly inflamed or irritated, talk to your doctor about prescription or over-the-counter topical rosacea treatments.
The following rosacea treatments might be beneficial:
Unfortunately, essential oils are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so the purity and quality of essential oils on the market cannot be guaranteed.
This is a cause for concern as using unregulated products to treat a chronic inflammatory skin condition like rosacea might cause further problems. To avoid any irritation, do your research when purchasing essential oils and perform a diluted patch test on your arm before putting any product on your face.
If you see no signs of irritation, swelling, or itching within 24 hours, it should be safe to use on other parts of your body.
Here at Strut Health, we treat skin conditions like acne, and rosacea online. Our pharmacist and dermatologist formulated compound products contain multiple powerhouse prescription-only medications used to treat rosacea.
These formulas are uniquely customized to help reduce the appearance of rosacea flare-ups and should be kept in your rosacea treatment toolkit year-round.
Sign up for a free online consultation with our U.S licensed medical team to see if our Strut Rosacea Formulas are a good fit for your rosacea.
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