Finding the Best Essential Oil for Rosacea

Rosacea is an incurable, chronic condition, but it's possible to manage with treatment and some lifestyle changes. Topical application of the best essential oil for rosacea helps alleviate the inflammation and discomfort associated with the condition.

To help you to find essential oils for rosacea treatment, we’ve researched the best essential oils for rosacea. And we’ve answered some of the more frequently asked questions about the condition.

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Treating Rosacea with Essential Oils

What are Essential Oils?

Ancient people knew the power of plants to heal human ailments and to lend comfort to those who were sick or in pain. Made from the aromatic extracts of leaves, stems, roots and flowers of plants known for their healing powers, knowledge of essential oils is thousands of years old.

Essential oils are popular replacements for pharmaceuticals since they have fewer side effects. In many instances, scientific research proves (2) what ancient people knew about these plants - they effectively reduce the symptoms of many chronic and acute disorders. Moreover, because of their low cost and availability, treating rosacea with essential oils is easier than ever before.

How to Use Essential Oils

While essential oils are useful substitutes for many medicines and help reduce the symptoms of many of ailments, they must be used with care. Below are some of the measures which should be taken when using essential oils for rosacea.

  • When undiluted, essential oils are very strong and can irritate the skin. Therefore, carrier oils are used to dilute essential plant oils. The best carrier oils for rosacea include coconut oil, almond oil and Jojoba oil. Usually three to five drops of essential oil in an ounce of carrier oil produces the best oils for rosacea.
  • Before using an essential oil for the first time it is best to do a patch test to ensure that your skin does not react negatively to the application of the oil.
  • Never take essential oils by mouth. They are for external use only.
  • Always follow the instructions on the packaging when making use of essential oils.
  • Pregnant woman and children should seek medical advice before using essential oils.
  • Buy the best essential oils from a well-known and dependable supplier because the manufacture and distribution of these oils is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Essential Oils for Rosacea Treatment

So, what essential oils are good for rosacea? Well, there is little research into the use of essential oils to treat rosacea symptoms. However we can draw some conclusions from their effective use for other skin disorders such as acne and eczema.

Frankincense for Rosacea

Frankincense, otherwise known as olibanum, is made from tree resin and is believed to reduce stress. Valued since ancient times for its healing and cosmetic properties, frankincense is appreciated for its enchanting, sweet, and woody fragrance. Moreover, it makes a lovely aromatic bath oil.

Diffused or vaporized, frankincense oil for rosacea reduces the stress and anxiety which triggers rosacea symptoms.

Frankincense is rich in terpenes which have anti-inflammatory properties and credited with reducing scarring and eczema. This popular essential oil is known for its ability to improve skin condition.

Our Choice: MAJESTIC PURE Frankincense Essential Oil

frankincense for rosacea

photo by by rod waddington

Tea Tree Oil for Rosacea

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia species which grows in Australia. For centuries Australia’s indigenous people used the plant for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.

While research proves what the ancients knew to be true (3) there's little scientific research into the effectiveness of tea tree oil in treating the symptoms of rosacea.

The Rosacea Society, however, claim that it helps to alleviate the itch (4). This versatile herb alleviates the redness and inflammation associated with other skin conditions such as acne.

Tea tree oil is a potent essential oil that can irritate your skin. When considering how to dilute tea tree oil for rosacea, use caution and always mix it with the best carrier oil for rosacea.

Our Choice: Handcraft Tea Tree Essential Oil

tea tree oil for rosacea

photo by by john tann

Rosehip Oil for Rosacea

Rosehip oil is used in many cosmetic and skin care products as it contains anti-oxidants, vitamin A and vitamin E, as well as some essential fatty acids.

Consequently it's used in combatting fine lines, scars, and skin allergies. Research shows that rosehip oil is effective in reducing inflammation in the skin (5).

Like other essential oils rosehip must be diluted with another carrier oil. Choose one of the best carrier oils for rosacea and you’ll quickly calm the symptoms.

Our Choice: Radha Beauty USDA Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

rosehip oil for rosacea

photo by františek dudek

Lavender Oil for Rosacea

A favorite essential oil, lavender oil has been used in cosmetics for hundreds of years. It comes from the flowers of the lavender tree. Firstly, lavender is an anti-inflammatory, lessening redness and irritation. This makes it a great choice for alleviating the symptoms of rosacea.

Secondly, lavender oil's anti-bacterial properties help calm acne outbreaks. Using lavender oil for rosacea helps to relieve the dry and flaky skin that is so often a common symptom.

Our Choice: Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil

lavender oil for rosacea

photo by sharon mccutcheon

Rosacea – Causes and Symptoms

Millions of people around the world suffer from rosacea (1), and yet little is known about what causes it. The first symptoms of rosacea often appear in the teens or early twenties. In the early stages, symptoms are typically mild, but they progress with age, which is why many people afflicted with rosacea are only diagnosed in later years.

Causes of Rosacea

The causes of rosacea are not well-understood. Rosacea has unfortunately and unjustifiably developed a reputation as a symptom of over indulgence in alcohol. However, diet seems to affect rosacea symptoms, and substances like alcohol and gluten may trigger outbreaks.

There appears to be a connection between the underlying blood system to the face, and people prone to the condition are often quick to blush. This later develops into a more permanent redness of the facial skin. Here is what is known about the causes of rosacea:

  • Rosacea is an inherited condition.
  • It occurs most frequently in people with fair skin whose ancestors originate in Eastern or Northern Europe.
  • Women are more likely to get rosacea, but when men are afflicted their symptoms are frequently more severe.
  • Although little understood, Demodex Folliculorum, a skin mite appears to have some impact on the appearance of rosacea (6). This mite appears on everybody’s skin. However, on rosacea-afflicted skin the incidence of these mites is considerably higher than on unaffected facial skin.

Symptoms of Rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea vary from person to person and from time to time. Similarly, as the severity of the condition differs depending on internal and external conditions. Symptoms include (7)

  • Blood vessels just beneath the surface of the skin dilate easily causing facial skin to turn red in various places.
  • Rough and coarse skin as the lymphatic system may not effectively clear away fluids.
  • Burning or itching skin.
  • Skin may be thick and bumpy which often leads to a misdiagnosis of acne. Unlike acne, there are no blackheads on a skin afflicted with rosacea.
  • Visible blood vessels beneath the skin
  • Facial skin is often dry and flaky
  • Inflammation on the nose. In the more severe forms it may affect the breathing. This is more common in men.

Rosacea can affect the eyes. This is known as ocular Rosacea. Nearly fifty percent of patients have problems with their eyes. The symptoms include:

  • Sensitivity to light
  • Swollen eyelids upon which sometimes sties develop
  • Red, scratchy and watery
  • Blurred vision

Living with Rosacea

The symptoms of Rosacea may come and go. Lifestyles changes and medical treatment help alleviate the symptoms.

Treatment

Rosacea is an incurable, chronic condition but it's possible to manage the symptoms. Since each person with rosacea is affected differently, the treatment may be tailored to the individual. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in either oral or topical form, as this has been found to help in the alleviation of symptoms.

Laser treatment can reduce the appearance of visible blood vessels. Coarse, thick skin is dealt with through microdermabrasion. Dermatologists are trained to perform these treatments.

If you have rosacea, keep a diary of the conditions which trigger flare-ups of the symptoms. Doing so will help you to understand the causes so that you can avoid them and, in this way, manage the symptoms.

Avoid the triggers that cause flare-ups

Lifestyle changes can help you to reduce the flare-ups (8)

  • You should use facial products and cosmetics that do not contain irritants, alcohol or fragrances
  • Put on your moisturizer after any topical medication has been completely absorbed
  • Always apply sunscreen before going outside into the sun
  • Apply the best essential oil for rosacea to alleviate the symptoms when they do appear
  • Use only noncomedogenic product so that your pores do not become clogged
  • Choose a cosmetic foundation with a green shade since this helps to mask redness
  • Avoid alcohol and spicy food
  • Stay calm - stress can bring on rosacea
  • Alleviate exposure to extreme temperatures and wear sunscreen for rosacea skin.

Rosacea and Essential Oils

No one likes to hear that they have a condition which is incurable and at best managed. Armed with information on how to avoid the triggers which aggravate the symptoms of rosacea and the best essential oils for rosacea treatment, you’ll feel a lot more confident and able to manage and alleviate the symptoms of rosacea as they occur.

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Lindsay
 

Lindsay is concerned about health, nutrition and the environment. She believes natural products are best and wants to help others learn more about the benefits of using them.

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