Essential Oils for Rosacea

If you struggle with rosacea, you may have heard of the potential benefits of using essential oils for rosacea, and with good reason! Essential oils can be beneficial for managing rosacea due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and soothing properties.

In fact, many essential oils have calming and balancing effects on the skin, which can help to soothe irritation and promote healing. Using essential oils for rosacea can also be a natural and gentle alternative to conventional treatments, which can sometimes have harsh side effects.

What is Rosacea?

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.

On the other hand, Acne is caused by internal imbalances that encourage the skin to produce excess sebum. This abundant food source sustains and spreads the acne vulgaris bacteria, 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.

Common Rosacea Symptoms

The symptoms of rosacea can vary from person to person, but some common signs and symptoms include the following:

• Facial redness – This is often the most noticeable symptom of rosacea. It can be triggered by various factors, such as heat, cold, sunlight, stress, increased blood circulation, or certain foods or beverages.
• Flushing or blushing – People with rosacea may experience sudden episodes of flushing or blushing, especially in the center of the face, chin, and forehead.
• Bumps or pimples – Rosacea can also cause small, red bumps or pimples to appear on the face, often resembling acne.
• Thickened skin – In some cases, rosacea can cause the skin on the nose and cheeks to thicken and become bumpy or bulbous.
• Eye irritation – Approximately half of people with rosacea also experience eye problems, such as dryness, itching, burning, or redness.
• Visible blood vessels – Over time, rosacea can cause small blood vessels on the face to become visible (broken capillaries), giving the skin a red or flushed appearance.

What Triggers a Rosacea Flare-up?

A variety of factors can trigger rosacea flare-ups, and these triggers can vary from person to person. Some common triggers of rosacea flare-ups include:

• Sun exposure – Exposure to sunlight, especially for extended periods, can trigger rosacea flare-ups in some people.
• Heat – Hot weather, hot baths or showers, and even exercise can cause rosacea to flare up.
• Spicy foods – Certain spicy foods (even ginger) can trigger rosacea flare-ups, especially if you already have sensitive skin.
• Alcohol – Alcohol, especially red wine, and beer, can trigger rosacea flare-ups in some people.
• Emotional stress – Stress and anxiety can trigger rosacea flare-ups, which may be partly due to the release of stress hormones.
• Skincare products – Some skincare products, such as those containing alcohol or harsh chemicals, can irritate the skin and trigger rosacea flare-ups.
• Medications – Certain medications, such as blood pressure medications and topical steroids, can trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms.

As you can see, rosacea can be 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.

Unsurprisingly, the treatment for rosacea when using essential oils is almost the same as that for acne, except that the essential oils used will differ.

What is The Best Essential Oil for Rosacea?

Many essential oils, such as chamomile, frankincense, lavender, and tea tree oil, have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation associated with rosacea.

Other EOs, such as tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil, have antibacterial properties that can help to fight off the bacteria that can worsen rosacea symptoms.

Essential oils like lavender and chamomile have calming and soothing properties that can help to reduce skin irritation and promote healing.

So which ones are the best?

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. It also helps regulate sebum production
• German chamomile – repairs damaged skin and encourages the development of new skin cells. Calming and soothing to the skin
• Helichrysum – Helps regenerate the skin while soothing redness and inflammation. It also kills the Demodex mite (one of the best essential oils for rosacea on face)
• 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. It helps kill Demodex mites which are believed to be the possible cause of some forms of rosacea (another one of the best essential oils for rosacea skin)
• 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 essential oil – 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 remember 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

The following natural remedies will take time to see results. So long as your skin is reacting well, continue the protocol below until symptoms are under control.

You can keep using the serums as desired to maintain clarity.

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.

First, it is important to 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

This is my favorite essential oil blend for rosacea.

• 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. Add 1 drop helichrysum to add some extra healing properties.

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

Rosehip seed oil – well tolerated by most skin types and very soothing without feeling heavy.

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, add 12-18 drops of the above mixture to every 1oz of carrier oil (like argan oil, rosehip oil, or jojoba 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 use a few different essential oils to help rebalance the skin.

Continue to cleanse and tone the skin morning and night gently, 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, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Oil for Rosacea

What essential oil is good for rosacea?

The best essential oils for rosacea include:

• Chamomile oil – Chamomile oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties and can help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Lavender oil – Lavender oil is known for its calming and soothing properties and may help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with rosacea.
• Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties and may help to fight off the bacteria that can worsen rosacea symptoms.
• Geranium oil – Geranium oil has anti-inflammatory properties and may help to reduce redness and irritation associated with rosacea.
• Helichrysum – Helps regenerate the skin while soothing redness and inflammation. It also kills the Demodex mite.
• Manuka – antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature. It helps kill Demodex mites, believed to be the possible cause of some forms of rosacea.

Which face oil is good for rosacea?    

The best carrier oils for rosacea include:

• Jojoba oil – Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Rosehip oil – Rosehip oil is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to improve the texture and appearance of skin affected by rosacea.
• Argan oil – Argan oil is non-comedogenic and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with rosacea.
• Evening primrose oil –  Evening primrose oil is high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Hemp seed oil – Hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic (rating of 0) and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with rosacea.

These oils are light and soothing.

What essential oil reduces redness on face?    

Helichrysum and geranium essential oil are the best for reducing redness caused by rosacea.

What clears rosacea fast?    

The best way to clear up rosacea as quickly as possible is to avoid triggers, use the proper skincare for your unique situation, and speak with a naturopath or conventional healthcare provider to eliminate potential underlying causes.

Essential oils can drastically improve symptoms of rosacea, but they will not be able to cure it.

Is frankincense good for rosacea?  

Yes, frankincense essential oil is a fantastic oil to use for managing rosacea symptoms. It helps reduce inflammation and soothes red and irritated skin.

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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