Essential oils are the essence of a plant's stem, flowers, bark, leaves, roots or occasionally its fruits. These fragrant oils can contain up to 60 different substances! That is why it is important to know which essential oils are good for your skin, which ones are not so good and how to apply them correctly. When using essential oils in your skincare it is very important to dilute them with a carrier oil, moisturiser or a body lotion. This is because pure essential oils contain no lipids which causes them to be very drying on the skin, the opposite of what you want. Using a carrier oil, moisturiser or body lotion creates a barrier between your skin and the essential oil, slowing the absorption as well as making the oil sit on the skin for longer. Essential oils are very potent and powerful so a few drops goes a long way, especially on sensitive skin and for use on children. 

When used correctly, essential oils can help fight a multitude of skin problems, and can benefit acne, inflammation, scars, dry skin, fine lines, bacteria and so much more. Keep reading to find out 20 essential oils you need in your skincare routine, and the benefits they can bring to your skin...

1 - Lavender Essential Oil for skincare

Lavender Essential Oil is a good all-rounder and a staple in any skincare routine. Lavender Essential Oil is an anti-inflammatory that is soothing and calming for the skin. This makes it particularly useful for anyone with skin prone to irritation, suffering from sunburn, as well as reducing the appearance of blemishes. In addition to this, Lavender Essential Oil increases collagen production so it is especially suitable for mature skin, giving you a youthful glow!

2 - Rosehip Essential Oil for skincare

Rosehip Essential Oil is a must for anyone looking for a Duchess worthy complexion. With Kate Middleton giving Rose Hip oil her seal of approval, it is a must in any skincare routine. Rosehip Essential Oil is packed full of vitamin C which helps prevent signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Combine this with its fatty acids that hydrate and its retinoid filled formula, your face will be left feeling supple, brightened and acne-free.

3 - Copaiba Oleoresin Essential Oil for skincare

Copaiba Oleoresin Essential Oil is a very gentle oil with a light earthy, honey scent. This essential oil is especially effective when a few drops are mixed in with your favourite body lotion. With its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, it is perfect for massaging onto the skin to soothe sore muscles.

4 - Frankincense Essential Oil for skincare

Frankincense Essential Oil is a well known anti-ageing powerhouse in skincare. Frankincense Essential Oil is suitable for all skin types, making this a great all-rounder to invest in. This essential oil is antibacterial, which makes it particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin and for soothing chapped and dry complexions. Frankincense is also an anti-inflammatory, another acne busting property. That’s not all, Frankincense Essential Oil decreases the appearance of pores, scars, wrinkles and fine lines leaving you with a youthful and radiant glow.

5 - Tea Tree Essential Oil for skincare

Another royally approved essential oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil is Megan Markle’s “little cure-all”. With Tea Tree Essential Oil being a strong antibacterial it is a perfect addition to any skincare collection to fight breakouts, mosquito bites, fungus and even dandruff.

6 - Pink Grapefruit Essential Oils for skincare

Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil smells just like it sounds, pink and fresh! Don’t be fooled by its cutesy name though, despite this being an oil itself, it is an effective oil busting powerhouse. If you suffer from oily skin, hair or acne, Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil is essential for you in your skincare routine. An alternative use for this essential oil is mixing it with your body lotion to create a beautifully scented cream that will instantly lighten your mood.

7 - Chamomile Essential Oil for skincare

Not only is Chamomile essential oil calming and anti-inflammatory when ingested or diffused, but also when applied topically to the skin. Chamomile Essential Oil soothes and calms all manner of ailments from acne, irritation to rosacea. Chamomile Essential Oil works especially well when diluted with coconut oil or jojoba oil for sensitive skin or use on children.

8 - Rose Essential Oil for skincare

Rose Essential Oil is distilled from rose petals which gives it a beautiful aroma. As well as smelling gorgeous this essential oil is useful for hydrating and nourishing skin. If you suffer from dry skin, this is the perfect addition to your winter skincare routine. In addition to moisturisation, Rose Essential Oil promotes circulation so is a great aid for healing as well. 

9 - Ylang Ylang Essential Oil for skincare

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is a strong and effective moisturiser that can enhance the appearance of healthy glowing skin! Another use for Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is massaging it onto the scalp as a hair mask to increase circulation and conditioning which will promote healthy and luxurious hair.

10 - Sweet Orange Essential Oil for skincare

Sweet Orange Essential Oil is packed full of vitamin C which gives your skin an anti-ageing boost. Combine this with the essential oils anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, you have a great all-round essential oil that will fit perfectly into your skincare routine, fighting blemishes and acne. You can even combine a few drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil to your body lotion to give your skin an all-over glow. 

11 - Palmarosa Essential Oil for skincare

Not only is Palmarosa an affordable essential oil, but it smells absolutely divine! Diluting Palmarosa Essential Oil will help combat inflammation, bacteria and signs of ageing. This makes this essential oil a great starter for many skin types including acne, irritated skin and mature skin.

12 - Lemongrass Essential Oil for skincare

Lemongrass Essential Oil is another great all-rounder that would be a great addition to any skincare routine with its multipurpose uses. Not only is Lemongrass Essential Oil a natural astringent, but it is also antibacterial, anti-ageing, anti-fungal and a natural antioxidant. This essential oil is great for ageing skin but will also combat a multitude of skin issues such as acne, eczema, blemishes and more...

13 - Helichrysum Essential Oil for skincare

Helichrysum Essential Oil is one you’ll definitely want to keep in your skincare cabinet. This essential oil contains arzanol which is an amazing anti-inflammatory. Combined with its antibacterial properties it is the perfect essential oil to aid with healing of wounds and scars. The benefits of Helichrysum Essential Oil don’t stop there. With its antioxidant feature, using this essential oil in your skincare routine will also help with cell regeneration to enhance the appearance of a fresh and youthful glow.

14 - Peppermint Essential Oil for skincare

Peppermint is an essential oil that as you can expect, has a fresh and awakening scent that instantly reduces stress and fatigue. When applied topically to the skin, Peppermint Essential Oil is also cooling and soothes the skin to give it that refreshed feeling. Additionally, Peppermint essential oil facilitates oil secretion which can help combat acne. The benefits continue… If you massage it into the skin by mixing it with your favourite body lotion, it also relieves joint pain too!

15 - Rosemary Essential Oil for skincare

Rosemary Essential Oil is the perfect addition to your hair routine. When massaged into the scalp, this essential oil increases the blood flow and stimulates hair growth to help give you the luscious locks you’ve always wanted. To turn Rosemary Essential Oil into a luxury hair mask, try mixing it with jojoba oil and leave on the hair for 20 minutes before washing. 

16 - Carrot Seed Essential Oil for skincare

Carrot Seed Essential Oil is a very soothing and calming essential oil when incorporated into your skincare routine. With its formula rich in antioxidants and inflammation-fighting properties, Carrot Seed Essential Oil is ideal for ageing skin or anyone wanting to reduce the appearance of scarring. Not only this, your skill will appear smoother and refreshed with this essential oil aiding cell regeneration.

17 - Geranium Essential Oil for skincare

Geranium is a beautifully scented, sweet essential oil. One of the main benefits of Geranium Essential Oil is it promotes blood circulation which can aid bruises, broken capillaries, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema and ringworm. This essential oil also increases the elasticity of the skin and smooths out fine lines, ideal for improving the appearance of ageing skin.

18 - Myrrh Essential Oil for skincare

Myrrh Essential Oil is packed full of antioxidants that are amazing at improving your skin tone, firmness, and skin elasticity. This makes Myrrh Essential Oil a staple in your skincare routine if you have aged or chapped skin.

19 - Neroli Essential Oil for skincare

Neroli Essential Oil is commonly used in aromatherapy as a way of reaping its benefits, but it can also be incorporated in your skincare routine. Neroli is another great all-round essential oil. Neroli contains a naturally occurring chemical called citral which regenerates cells, making this great for ageing skin, fine lines, scarring and stretch marks. In addition to this, Neroli Essential Oil is antibacterial so it fights acne and blemishes as well as aiding with overly oily skin.

20 - Patchouli Essential Oil for skincare

Last but by no means least, Patchouli Essential Oil is a triple threat; antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial. This makes this essential oil ideal for treating eczema, dermatitis and acne. If you want to fight the signs of ageing, Patchouli Essential also promotes new cell growth and leaves your skin looking plump and rejuvenated!