Aromatherapy works for some cases of teen acne, but like all acne treatments not every skin will respond to essential oils.

However, aromatherapy is among the generally safe teenage acne cures and a holistic treatment that may help your teen deal with mild breakouts and one that is worth mentioning here.

Aromatherapy is the science and art of using concentrated plant oils to penetrate the skin and enter the olfactory system.  The oils are both absorbed into the skin and inhaled creating pathways by which the molecules of plant parts (leaves, stems bark, flowers, seeds etc.) can work on the brain and influence various parts of the body. 

Severe teenage acne may need a specially prepared product, like Acnezine, but you may have good results controlling the health of your skin with essential oils.If you have acne you’ve probably heard of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil.  Some commercial acne cream preparations even contain it as an ingredient. 

Lavender is also well known as an acne remedy.  A 1990 study published in the Medical Journal of Australia compared benzoyl peroxide (the old acne standby) with tea tree essential oil.  The study noted the effects on 124 people of either 5% tea tree oil vs. 5 % benzoyl peroxide solution. 

Both substances were found to lessen acne breakouts and pimples, but, interestingly the participants using tea tree essential oil had fewer side effects. Benzoyl peroxide worked more quickly but don’t forget that all acne remedies do take some time to show their effectiveness.  Tea Tree essential oil is not the only aromatherapy-based teen acne remedy that may help to combat your skin problem.  There are several other essential oils that are effective against the varieties of skin bacteria that cause acne. 

This is because the oils contain a substance called farnesol.  This is a chemical that stops the growth of a specific acne causing bacteria.

In addition to Tea Tree, here is a list of other essential oils you might like to try: 

Jasmine, Lavender, Myrrh, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

For an anti-acne aromatherapy blend combine the following essential oils:

5 drops Geranium, 7 drops Lavender, 7 drops Atlas Cedarwood, 12 drops Tea Tree, 1/4 ounce Jojoba oil. Mix all the essential oils and the jojoba oil in a small glass bottle with an orifice reducer.  Apply the solution to each pimple with a cotton swab.  This acne treatment can be used for facial acne breakouts. For acne on the back use three or four of any of the following acne-busting oils:

  Bergamot, atlas cedarwood, chamomile, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, tea tree.

 Make a 5% solution with some purified water, add two tablespoons of aloe vera gel.  Place all these ingredients in a dark glass pump spray bottle, shake and spray onto the affected areas.