Rosacea can be an extremely frustrating skin condition to deal with. Sometimes it seems like the smallest things trigger this condition -- causing unsightly redness and bumps. It may also seem like it’s impossible to effectively treat this condition. 

And while topical and oral drugs may be used to treat rosacea, essential oils offer a more natural approach. 

What Is Rosacea and What Causes It?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness in the face due to swollen blood vessels. 

Rosacea not only affects skin tone, but it also affects skin texture, with swollen bumps often developing across the face. The swelling associated with this inflammatory skin condition may lead to eye problems and an enlarged nose. 

The underlying cause of rosacea is unknown, and anyone can develop this skin condition. However, you may be at a greater risk of developing rosacea if you are female, have light skin, are over the age of 30, smoke, or have a family history of rosacea. Sun damage may also be associated with the development of rosacea. 

The symptoms of rosacea may not be present at all times. Instead, this condition is often triggered by various factors, including eating spicy foods, drinking hot drinks, exposure to extreme temperatures, exposure to sunlight or wind, vigorous exercise, medications, or cosmetic products. 

How to Treat Rosacea?

The key to properly treating rosacea is determining and then avoiding your triggers. However, avoiding triggers may not always be possible -- for instance, if your rosacea is triggered by the sun. While there are ways to protect your skin from the sun, it’s nearly impossible to avoid it altogether. 

For this reason, rosacea may also be treated with topical or oral drugs. In addition, there are also therapies available to treat rosacea, including light therapy. 

However, these treatments are often invasive and may not be ideal for everyone. If you’re looking for an alternative way to help reduce rosacea symptoms, you may want to consider using essential oils. 

Many essential oils have soothing and healing properties that can improve the appearance of your rosacea symptoms. That being said, not all essential oils are effective treatments. 

In fact, some essential oils would be highly irritating for those with rosacea -- so it’s essential to use the right essential oils properly for the best results. 

Essential Oils That Help With Rosacea

Here are some of the best essential oils that can help with facial redness and swelling caused by rosacea:

1. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is commonly used in beauty products for its skin benefits. 

Tea tree oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the redness and inflammation caused by rosacea. It also has anti-microbial properties that can kill potentially irritating bacteria on the skin. 

2. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils thanks to its wide range of benefits – from helping induce better sleep and reducing anxiety, to soothing calm and irritated skin. 

As a result, lavender is one of the best-studied essential oils available, and it has been proven to be gentle and soothing on sensitive skin affected by conditions like rosacea. 

3. Chamomile Essential Oil

Like a nice cup of tea, chamomile essential oil has similar soothing and relaxing properties that can work on the skin and the mind. This essential oil is frequently used in beauty products -- especially moisturizers.

Chamomile is one of the gentlest essential oils out there that helps soothe irritated skin and fight both the triggers and the symptoms of rosacea. 

4. Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium is a less common essential oil that can also help with rosacea. This is because geranium has antioxidant and astringent properties that gently cleanse the skin, purifying it from irritants. 

Furthermore, it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can soothe existing redness and swelling and kill bacteria overgrowth that can cause further issues. 

5. Rose Essential Oil

Rose essential oil is used in many beauty products ranging from toners to moisturizers to tonics. This essential oil has been used in the natural beauty realm for years, so it definitely offers real benefits. 

For instance, rose essential oil is ideal for sensitive and dry skin -- skin types commonly associated with rosacea. Additionally, rose essential oil can help improve blood circulation, thereby reducing the appearance of rosacea exacerbated by broken capillaries. 

6. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary has been shown to help reduce redness from rosacea and it can also promote quick skin healing. 

7. Sandalwood Essential Oil

The last essential oil that can help with rosacea is sandalwood. 

Sandalwood essential oil has powerful anti-itch properties that can help with itchiness associated with rosacea. Sandalwood may also help treat other skin conditions like acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and even sunburn. 

Essential oils to avoid using for rosacea include: 

• Lemon
• Lime
• Grapefruit 
• Mandarin 
• Bergamot
• Peppermint 
• Wintergreen

How To Use Essential Oils To Help With Rosacea?

Maybe you’ve used an essential oil diffuser in the past and are wondering if this method would help with your rosacea. 

While essential oil diffusers are great and offer a whole host of benefits for your mind and body, they won’t really help with your rosacea. Instead, essential oils for rosacea should be used topically. 

To use any essential oil topically for rosacea, always dilute it first with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil. When diluting, the ratio is key. Generally speaking, you should add just a few drops (2-3) of essential oil to 10 milliliters of carrier oil. From there, massage it onto the affected areas and watch your redness fade away. 

Another way that you can use essential oils topically for rosacea is to combine them with your regular beauty products. For instance, you can add a few drops of essential oil to your facial moisturizer or face wash to boost their moisturizing and soothing effects. From there, simply use as normal and take your existing skincare products to the next level. 

You can also use essential oil topically for rosacea to make your own essential oil facial spray. All you need to do is fill up a spray bottle with water, add a few drops of soothing essential oil (diluted in a carrier oil), and spray onto your face when it feels irritated and red. The diluted essential oil mixture will be able to soothe your rosacea, and your face will feel refreshed. 

Where To Buy the Best Essential Oils for Rosacea?

With a sensitive skin condition like rosacea, you’re going to want to buy the best products that won’t further exacerbate your symptoms. The smallest things can trigger rosacea, so you’re going to want to look for 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils. 

However, these products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration -- so make sure to do your own due diligence to ensure that they’re safe for use. 

The best way to do this is to research the company and products online before you buy them. Always check out the company’s mission and principles to ensure that they’re in line with your own. Not to mention, read the customer reviews for the products you’re interested in to ensure that they work as intended. 

If you’re looking for the best essential oils from a natural and vegan-friendly company, then you definitely need to check out WOW Skin Science. 

WOW is committed to developing cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly natural products to meet all your beauty needs. 

The Rundown on Essential Oils and Rosacea

With the right products and approach, you can use essential oils as a natural treatment for rosacea. Just make sure to do a patch test beforehand to avoid irritations and allergic reactions. 

Sources:

Rosacea - Symptoms and Causes | Mayo Clinic

Essential Oils and Health | NIH

Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in Dermatology | NCBI