Whether diffused, inhaled, or taken internally, there are many opportunities to use essential oils. For topical action, they are used topically and have many benefits for the skin. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and even rosacea can often be relieved with aromatherapy. Focus on 5 skin concerns and their aromatherapy.
Essential Oils for Eczema Relief
What is eczema?
Eczema is the most common skin disease. It is characterized by non-infectious inflammation of the skin with redness, fine blisters, scaling and itching. It can affect adults and children, even babies.
How to use essential oils for eczema?
There are several essential oils that can relieve the symptoms of eczema:
Peppermint essential oil (mentha piperita): Rub the affected area with 2 or 3 drops of the essential oil diluted in warm water or vegetable oil. It should not be used near the airway of children under 4 years of age.
German chamomile essential oil (matricaria recutita): close to Roman chamomile (anthemis nobilis), but richer in aluzene, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties1. It can effectively prevent and destroy fungal infection, eliminate bacteria, reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. It can not only treat eczema, but also treat cuts, herpes, blisters, burns, boils, etc.
Geranium essential oil (pelargonium graveolens): It has antiseptic properties and accelerates wound healing.
Since eczema often manifests itself under stress, finding time to relax and unwind is crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of your treatment.
Aromatherapy for Psoriasis
Essential Oils for Troubled Skin
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by thick patches of skin that peel off. These plaques most commonly appear on the elbows, knees, and scalp and leave areas of red skin. The disease affects approximately 2% to 4% of the Western population. In addition to genetic and psychological causes, psoriasis is caused by the rapid proliferation of epidermal cells, which are renewed every 3 to 6 days instead of every 28 or 30 days, resulting in a build-up of skin layers.
How do essential oils relieve psoriasis?
A 2012 study1 investigated the benefits of tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia) for psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory properties of its main compound, terpinen-4, reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.
Lavender essential oil ( lavandula officinalis ) also has antiseptic properties that may relieve psoriasis2.
Other essential oils are also used in the treatment of psoriasis, such as Melaleuca leucadendron , which has antiseptic properties, combined with lavender ( lavandula officinalis ) and geranium ( pelargonium graveolens ) essential oils diluted in equal amounts in vegetable oils, for topical use.
However, it should be noted that this is a chronic disease with periods of remission at best. Habits like stress management, using non-irritating cleaning products, and getting regular sun exposure are all ways to minimize the risk of new flare-ups.
How Aromatherapy Can Soothe a Sunburn?
Sunburn can be soothed with Spike Lavender ( lavandula latifolia ) essential oil. It is an excellent anti-burn essential oil that speeds healing while relieving pain. As such, it’s great for treating sunburns and insect bites2, making it an essential oil for summer. It is applied topically when diluted in vegetable oil.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea (or rosacea) is a chronic skin condition characterized by redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. As the disease progresses, this redness can become permanent and may be accompanied by small red bumps called papules or pustules. It usually appears around age 30 and mainly affects women with fair skin and eyes who blush easily. Exposure to sunlight or sudden changes in temperature, drinking hot, alcoholic, or spicy beverages, hormonal fluctuations, or strong emotions can make symptoms worse.
How Does Aromatherapy Relieve Rosacea?
Few studies have looked at the use of essential oils for rosacea, but several circulatory, restorative, and anti-inflammatory botanical oils and blends of essential oils appear to have been demonstrated. This is especially true for mixtures consisting of:
Hemp vegetable oil, anti-inflammatory due to its omega-3 content and restorative properties;
Safflower vegetable oil, which has circulation properties;
Helichrysum italicum essential oil, which is anti-inflammatory and circulatory;
Tea tree essential oil (melaleuca alternifolia), which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
This list is not exhaustive and other botanical and essential oils may work as well, as long as they have circulatory, restorative and anti-inflammatory properties, such as lavender essential oil ( lavandula angustifolia ) or Roman chamomile ( anthemis nobilis ). ) The problem is to dilute the essential oil in vegetable oil to 5% for treatment and 2-3% for prevention.
Aromatherapy for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Essential Oils for Troubled Skin
What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by the formation of red patches on the surface of the skin with scales that look like dandruff. It’s called “seborrheic” because it primarily affects oily areas of the skin, such as the hair, trunk, and face. This will be due to the proliferation of yeast; therefore, treatment is based on the use of antifungal drugs.
Which essential oils are good for treating seborrheic dermatitis?
Tea tree oil ( melaleuca alternifolia ) is said to have soothing properties for seborrheic dermatitis, thanks to its antifungal properties and its main compound, terpinene 4 , a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent 1,2 .
Versatile and well tolerated, real lavender essential oil ( lavandula angustifolia ) is also useful for all skin concerns, including seborrheic dermatitis. Can be used synergistically with Tea Tree Essential Oil.
These essential oils can be applied topically, pure or diluted in vegetable oil. Be careful though, as tea tree oil can be an irritant and is often more difficult to tolerate than true lavender oil.
Like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis can be exacerbated by stress, so it’s important to take time to relax and unwind.
