Essential oils can be effective treatments for every stage of acne, from prevention to healing pimples to reducing the appearance of scars. Especially if you're interested in natural remedies for skin care, these topicals can be a great option.
Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils fit the description. "Many [topical] oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts," says Dr. Love. "So, using oils on acne-prone skin is akin to adding gas to a fire."
Good and bad oils for your face
Fragrant oils are often referred to as essential oils. While they can be beneficial for your skin but at the same time, they contain some potent compounds that can cause irritation and sensitization in your skin, especially when the skin comes in contact with the air.
This is because dehydrated skin tends to over-produce sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture. This excessive oiliness ultimately leads to clogged pores, more frequent breakouts, and shiny-looking skin. In other words, oily skin benefits from the use of face oils—so long as they're the right kind of oils.
Sunflower oil is just one of many non-comedogenic oils in this blend, one of our favorite facial oils. You'll also find rosehip seed oil, sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil, and safflower oil, all of which get the seal of approval from the experts.
Vitamin C contains anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the redness and swelling that comes with acne. The results are more pronounced when you use the vitamin topically. It, therefore, helps improve the appearance of acne wounds. It may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin E is just one of the antioxidants touted as a potential acne treatment. Nutritionally speaking, vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory, which means it can help boost your immune system and help with cell regeneration. It's thought that these properties may specifically help with inflammatory acne, such as: nodules.
Vitamin E is largely used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The fat-soluble properties of vitamin E allow for quick absorption into the skin. The faster products are absorbed, the quicker acne can heal. Vitamin E helps the skin lock in moisture and promotes the production of collagen.
However, in a recent study , people with acne were shown to have vitamin E, A, and zinc deficiencies. So it wouldn't hurt to make sure you get your daily recommended intake of the 15 mg of vitamin E.
Carrier oils are much healthier than commercial moisturizers because they contain high amounts of fatty acids that improve skin quality. These fatty acids can be easily absorbed into the skin and nourish it from within.
Myth #2: Facial oils clog pores.
Let's cut to the chase right away – facial oils will not clog your pores. Oil (or sebum) occurs naturally in your skin and your sebaceous glands are constantly working to pump it out. Acne is a result of hair follicles that become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Yes, coconut oil is considered comedogenic and can clog pores and cause pimples and/or acne. Using coconut oil on the skin is not recommended for most acne-prone skin.
"The skin needs oil to maintain a healthy balance, otherwise, it gets too dry which can cause breakouts, fine lines, and wrinkles. Using a facial oil helps keep moisture in the skin while protecting it from the environmental damage," she explains.
Not all oils are necessarily bad for acne-prone skin, but you do need to watch out for heavy oils that are known to clog pores. The best oils for acne-prone skin will also depend on your Baumann Skin Type®, as some dry skin types might tolerate facial oils for acne better than oily skin types.
Alex Roher, MD of San Diego Botox Inc recommends using face oils both in the morning and at night. He advises applying oil as the last step of your nighttime skin care routine and before your sunscreen and makeup in the morning.
Use face oil twice daily, or as needed
Facial oils can take pride of place in your skincare routine in the morning or the evening (or both!), but they can also be used as and when they're needed.
“Instead of being hydrating, oils can have the opposite effect and dry out your skin,” says celebrity aesthetician Dr Barbara Sturm whose clients include Hailey Bieber. It all comes down to the size of the fatty acid molecules that make up the oil.
Because oil is the heaviest — or most dense — product in your routine, it's able to penetrate your moisturizer, allowing it to reach your skin, but the reverse isn't true. If you want to really amp up the moisture, apply your oil after applying moisturizer onto damp skin.
What causes hormonal acne? Acne is caused by clogged pores. Hormonal acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin produces. This oil interacts with bacteria on the pores of your skin where hair grows (hair follicles) and results in acne.
Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Zinc halts the over-production of keratinocytes and helps clear up acne over time. It also helps with the epidermal balance of keratin and collagen to help prevent blockage within the skin. Similarly, zinc is a natural DHT-blocker that lowers the amount of sebum that the skin produces.