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Essential Oils for Skin Inflammation and Acne

“My daughter has been putting the anti-inflammatory blend on her feet before bed every night and
her skin has completely cleared up! Now half of her dance team wants to order some!” –Lori P.

Essential oils possess anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm skin inflammation and reduce acne naturally. Many essential oils, such as ginger oil and frankincense oil, contain compounds that inhibit the production of inflammatory molecules in the skin. By reducing inflammation, essential oils can help calm redness and swelling associated with acne.

Calming inflammation can help with acne by reducing the size and redness of pimples and treating pain. In fact, common “acne treatments largely focus on reducing inflammation by targeting cytokine pathways known to be upregulated in acne,” according to research on Targeting Inflammation in Acne. Similar research on Essential Oils in the Treatment of Various Types of Acne notes that “essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can prevent plugging of the sebaceous glands of the skin”.

Essential oils also contain anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties to fight bacteria that contribute to skin inflammation. An overgrowth of bacteria on the skin, particularly in hair follicles, can contribute to infections and breakouts. Essential oils are also rich in antioxidants that help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to inflammation. By neutralizing free radicals, essential oils can promote skin healing and reduce the risk of acne scarring.

What is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that can occur when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including visible red, swollen, inflamed, and often painful blemishes, as well as blackheads, whiteheads, or pustules on the face and body (including the neck, back, chest, and shoulders).

When a pore or hair follicle becomes congested due to the buildup of skin cells, dirt, and excess oil, it can present as blemishes that can trigger an inflammatory immune response in your immune system, resulting in redness, swelling, pus, and tenderness.

Acne may result from various factors, including hormonal imbalances, excess production of sebum (an oily substance produced by your sebaceous glands to support the skin barrier), bacteria, and inflammation, including:

  • Inflammation: Immune response to bacteria and clogged pores, resulting in redness, swelling, and acne formation
  • Bacterial Infection: Propionibacterium acnes bacteria thrive in clogged pores, causing inflammation and acne lesions
  • Hormonal Imbalances: Fluctuations in hormone levels, especially during puberty or menstruation, can stimulate excess oil production

Essential Oils for Skin Inflammation and Acne

Essential oils possess potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and balancing properties that may help address the root causes of skin issues by minimizing inflammation and modulating immune reactions. They can also help support hormone balance.

Essential oils help naturally balance the body and reduce inflammation. More specifically, plant compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation in the brain (Study). The process of distilling these concentrated plant essences into essential oils makes them more bioavailable and accessible to the body and brain, helping to calm brain inflammation.

Topically applied essential oils can play a significant role in helping to deactivate inflammation in the body and brain, allowing them to repair and heal. Studies have found that essential oils can significantly reduce inflammation levels and alleviate symptoms associated with inflammation. The study found that “boswellic acids”—or the active component of Frankincense, which is responsible for its therapeutic capabilities—effectively reduces inflammation and “influences the immune system” by repressing the formation of inflammatory mediators like leukotriene.

Essential oils are fat-soluble, allowing them to be easily absorbed through the skin. They are also extremely gentle and do not strip away your skin’s natural oils or add to your toxic burden. Some essential oils, such as lavender and Frankincense, have been known to support clear skin and promote skin cell regeneration.

The following essential oils, included in the Anti Inflammatory™ may help support the anti-inflammation mechanisms to improve your skin and reduce acne.

Ginger

Ginger essential oil possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that may help bring heat and stimulate circulation, thereby reducing inflammation and pain.

Ginger essential oil has been found to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators, including inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, thereby helping to reduce the overall inflammatory response in the body. The anti-inflammatory effects of ginger are often attributed to secondary metabolites, such as antioxidant compounds like gingerols and shogaols, which help neutralize free radicals and oxidative stress that may contribute to inflammation.

A critical review of Ginger’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities found that Ginger’s chemical components are recognized as “antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents with the potential to operate as immunomodulators”.

Ginger’s “anti-inflammatory mechanism is linked to Akt inhibition and NF-KB activation, triggering the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines while reducing proinflammatory cytokines.” By modulating key inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-κB and MAPKs, Ginger essential oil can suppress the inflammatory cascade. What’s more, the chemical constituent zingibain in ginger oil is believed to reduce prostaglandin levels in the body. Prostaglandins are associated with pain and inflammation.

Ginger essential oil is believed to reduce the amount of prostaglandins in the body, which are compounds associated with pain. The beneficial effects of ginger polyphenols have been reported to suppress inflammation in research such as “Assessing the Effects of Ginger Extract on Polyphenol Profiles”.

An in-vitro study reported that ginger essential oil exerted anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting lipoxygenase enzymes, as well as quercetin. Lipoxygenase enzymes are involved in the development of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers when overexpressed. The research discovered that ginger oil reduces inflammation by preventing the migration of excess leukocytes from the blood to tissues. Leukocytes travel to the site of damaged tissue to encourage tissue repair. However, when they migrate excessively to the area, it causes an abnormal inflammatory response. Animal research demonstrates that ginger essential oil prevents chronic joint inflammation in a model of rheumatoid arthritis, but does not affect acute joint swelling. An additional study of 140 participants found that topically applied ginger essential oil “significantly reduced low back pain and disability”. Ginger oil reduced the production of pro-inflammatory constituents released during respiratory infections in vitro.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit™ essential oil exhibits promising anti-inflammatory properties related to skin inflammation and acne. The limonene present in grapefruit helps to reduce inflammation and regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Grapefruit™ also contains high levels of bioactive flavonoids—a category of plant compounds present in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, bergamot, and grapefruits (Study). Flavonoids demonstrate anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, lipid-lowering, and antioxidant activities (according to research published in Oxid Med Cell Longev. titled “Bioactive Flavonoids, Antioxidant Behavior, and Cytoprotective Effects of Dried Grapefruit Peels”). The research data suggests that “grapefruit peel has considerable potential as a source of natural bioactive flavonoids with outstanding antioxidant activity, which can be used as agents in several therapeutic strategies.” Flavonoids were observed in the oil glands of citrus peels (Essential oils are found mainly in the oil glands).

Frankincense

Frankincense™ oil has long been heralded for its anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and pain-relieving properties. Research shows that Frankincense™ and its anti-inflammatory constituent alpha-pinene, significantly inhibit inflammation and enhance immune-supporting properties. The chemical constituent borneol possesses anesthetic and anti-spasmodic properties.

Studies have shown that Frankincense™ inhibits the production of key inflammatory molecules, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. This helps suppress the overall inflammatory response in the body. Frankincense™ also acts as an immunostimulant boosting the body’s natural immune response.

Boswellic acid—another active component of Frankincense™ essential oil—has been highly correlated with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that may be helpful in reducing skin inflammation and acne. Furthermore, Frankincense™ possesses natural skin-calming properties.

Ylang-Ylang

Research has shown that active compounds in ylang-ylang oil include several types of flavonoids that can help improve blood flow, lower inflammation, and support a healthy circulatory system.

Ylang-ylang is rich in the constituent Linalool, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research indicates that linalool “plays a major role in the anti-inflammatory activity displayed by the essential oils containing them, and provides further evidence suggesting that linalool and linalyl acetate-producing species are potentially anti-inflammatory agents.”

Ylang-ylang is also known as a harmonizer, meaning it is adaptive and supportive, especially when added to a blend. It may also help prevent dryness, as well as excessive sebum production that contributes to skin inflammation and acne.

Dill Seed

Dill is known to significantly reduce inflammation, possibly because of its antioxidant flavonoids. Medieval knights would place dill seeds on open wounds to speed up healing. Research has confirmed the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of dill’s key constituents, d-carvone and d-limonene, noting that dill essential oil causes a significant decrease in inflammation and pain. Dill is also a well-known herb used as an anti-spasmodic. It is considered a tonic for organs such as the stomach, liver, kidneys, and bladder. Dill is also effective in strengthening and calming the brain.

The Study of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Oil-Based Dill found that Dill possesses anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic qualities. Dill Seed is rich in the anti-inflammatory constituents D-limonene, carvone, and α-phellandrene, which comprise approximately 90% of dill seed oil’s composition. Carvone has been shown to exhibit a significant anti-inflammatory effect in the carrageenan-induced inflammatory model, as reported in the research on the Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroxydihydrocarvone. It reveals that the hydroalcoholic extract of the Dill seed causes a significant decrease in inflammation. Dill oil can suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines and enzymes like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β2.

Additional research found that limonene has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which control cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 and inhibit inflammation.

Tarragon

Traditional Chinese medicine uses Tarragon for its antispasmodic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Tarragon essential oil supports brain health, acting as an antioxidant and an analgesic (for pain relief). It also supports healthy heart function and circulation, and can help reduce physical weakness caused by poor circulation. Tarragon supports muscle aches, spasms, and rheumatism, helping to restore proper muscular function and ease muscular contractions.

Research has found that Tarragon oil inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, which may make it beneficial for neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of AChE prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and cognitive function. People with neurodegenerative diseases produce less acetylcholine, and the diseases often break it down at a faster rate, resulting in acetylcholine deficits.

Tarragon oil has also been shown to relieve pain both centrally and peripherally using mechanisms other than interacting with opioid receptors.

Topically apply Anti-Inflammatory™ to the bottom of the feet before bed. You can also apply to areas of the body where inflammation is experienced or suspected, such as the base of the skull or the vagal nerve (located behind the ear). Anti-Inflammatory™ is designed to reduce inflammation, rebalance the brain, and encourage regeneration of damaged or stressed cells and tissues that have been chronically or acutely inflamed.

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About The Author

Jodi Cohen

Jodi Sternoff Cohen is the founder of Vibrant Blue Oils. An author, speaker, nutritional therapist, and a leading international authority on essential oils, Jodi has helped over 50,000 individuals support their health with essential oils.

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