Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that is often mistaken for acne and is in some regards, quite similar to how it looks. However, rosacea is a permanent condition that seldom affects those under 30 (though this is rapidly changing), flares on the cheeks and nose area, and can even be caused by a microscopic mite known as demodex. The affected areas can look red and splotchy with pimple-like lesions.

Acne is caused by internal imbalances that encourage the skin to produce excess sebum. It is this abundant food source that sustains and spreads the acne vulgaris bacteria, in turn causing redness, sluggish cellular turnover, blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes of varying degrees to develop.

So, while rosacea and acne can LOOK the same, it is there that the similarities end.

In either case, it is distressing to deal with. So how do we treat rosacea naturally and effectively?

Today, I want to go over the best essential oils for rosacea and how to use them!

For a more holistic approach, be sure to check out my more thorough article on how to heal rosacea naturally here.

Essential Oils for Rosacea

Unsurprisingly, the treatment for rosacea when using essential oils is almost the same as that for acne except that the essential oils used are going to be different.

The best essential oils for rosacea include:

• Bergamot (FCF) – helps balance uneven skin tone, dullness, and oiliness
• Cypress – an astringent essential oil that helps reduce redness and inflammation
• Eucalyptus radiata – helps fight minor infections that may be associated with the blemish-type lesions of rosacea
• Geranium – anti-inflammatory and helps stimulate lymphatic drainage through the skin. Also helps regulate sebum production
• German chamomile – repairs damaged skin and encourages the development of new skin cells. Calming and soothing to skin
• Helichrysum – Helps regenerate the skin while soothing redness and inflammation. Also kills the demodex mite
• Ho wood – cooling on contact and alleviates redness and inflammation while stimulating healing
• Juniper berry – promotes a clear and healthy complexion
• Lavender – alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with rosacea and other forms of dermatitis
• Manuka – antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature. Helps kill demodex mites which are believed to be the possible cause of some forms of rosacea
• Patchouli – effectively treats many forms of dermatitis
• Roman chamomile – anti-inflammatory and helps stimulate lymphatic drainage in the skin. It also strengthens weakened capillaries
• Rosemary – a superior disinfectant that helps protect the skin

These oils are known to be anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, healing, and balancing for the skin.

How to Use Essential Oils for Rosacea

Below is a four-week protocol that should drastically help alleviate the symptoms of rosacea.

However, always keep in mind that the problems that manifest on the outside often stem from a root cause on the inside.

I encourage you to make the appropriate lifestyle changes like following a healthy diet, sleep, and exercise routine coupled by using all-natural ingredients in your skincare regime.

Make an effort to eliminate the stressors in your life and instead try to focus on more self-care.

It will make a huge difference and flares will come less and less often in less and less severity.

So, without further ado, let’s get into the best essential oils for rosacea!

Essential Oil Protocol for Healing Rosacea Naturally

Part One

The first stage of treatment aims to promote gentle healing and reduce redness and inflammation of the skin.

This period should last for two weeks.

To begin, it is important to very gently cleanse the skin (use whatever your skin tolerates the most) and tone it morning and night.

I like to use rosewater for toning and reducing redness and inflammation, but you can also use thyme hydrosol or diluted raw apple cider vinegar. You can make diluted ACV by mixing 3TB of water with ¼-1/2 tsp of raw apple cider vinegar.

After cleansing, you will want to apply an essential oil infused day-time facial serum.

Day-time Serum Recipe

• One empty 5ml essential oil bottle
• 30 drops manuka essential oil or tea tree essential oil
• 45 drops German chamomile essential oil

Add the essential oils to the 5ml essential oil bottle and roll between your palms to mix.

To make the serum, add 12 drops of this mixture for every 1oz of carrier oil.

The best carrier oils for rosacea include:

• Jojoba oil – the closest “oil” to our own skin’s natural sebum. Tolerated well by most skin types
• Apricot kernel oil – a light oil that is well tolerated by most skin types
• Tamanu oil – this oil is also excellent for treating scarring

To Use

Every morning for two weeks, gently cleanse the skin and tone it. While the skin is still damp, apply a few small drops of the above day-time serum recipe to the skin.

Allow the serum to soak in for a few minutes before dabbing away any excess. If possible, it is best to avoid using cosmetics and other skin care products during treatment.

Nigh-time Serum Recipe

• One 5ml essential oil bottle
• 15 drops German chamomile essential oil
• 15 drops ho wood essential oil – delightfully cooling and soothing to the skin, can sub with rosewood essential oil
• 30 drops lavender essential oil

Add the essential oils to the 5ml essential oil bottle and roll between your palms to mix.

To make the night-time serum, simply add 12-18 drops of the above mixture to every 1oz of carrier oil.

To Use

Cleanse and tone the skin and apply a few small drops of night-time serum to damp skin.

Part Two

For the following two weeks after stage one, you will be using a few different essential oils to help with rebalancing the skin.

Continue to gently cleanse and tone the skin morning and night, then start using the new day and night serums below.

Part Two Day-time Serum Recipe

• One 5ml essential oil bottle
• 15 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 15 drops geranium essential oil
• 15 drops patchouli essential oil or juniper berry essential oil

Add the essential oils to the 5ml essential oil bottle and roll between your palms to mix

Add 6-18 drops of this mixture to every 1oz of carrier oil.

To Use

Apply a few small drops of part two day-time serum to damp skin after cleansing and toning.

Part Two Night-time Serum Recipe

• One 5ml essential oil bottle
• 15 drops cypress essential oil
• 15 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 45 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil

To make the part two night-time serum, simply add 6-18 drops of this mixture to every 1oz of carrier oil.

Once the complete four-week protocol is finished, you may repeat the routine as needed.

Have you ever used essential oils for rosacea? Which ones worked best for you? Please share them in the comments below!

You may also enjoy reading:

Essential Oils for Specific Skin Types
Essential Oils for Poison Ivy + 3 Healing Recipes!
How to do a Skin Patch Test with Essential Oils
How to Treat Rosacea Naturally

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