The Benefits of Essential Oils For Your Skin & What They Smell Like

Basil Essential Oil (sweet or common) (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil essential oil has a liquorice herbal scent and is a natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial. It is also believed to alleviate headaches, fatigue and depressions as well as ward off mosquitos and help with wasp and mosquito bites! Note, this should not be used by pregnant women.

Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus bergamia)

Bergamot essential oil has a fruity citrus and floral scent which comes from the bergamot fruit. Used not only for soap, you can find bergamot in tea (earl grey for example) as well as cologne, It is a natural deodorizer as well as used to treat acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis. When the scent is inhaled, it can also help alleviate headaches

Cedarwood Texas Essential Oil (Juniperus virginiana)

Cedarwood Texas essential oil is part of the juniper family and has a woody, earthy cedar scent. Used to treat acne, oily skin, dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis. It is a natural antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, astringent and insecticidal properties.

Cinnamon Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum vervun)

Cinnamon essential oil is said to alleviate depression and improve the libido - hubba hubba, it also is reported to calm dry skin, help with acne, rashes, reduce the signs of aging and naturally repel insects.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus Labill)

Eucalyptus essential oil originates from Australia, although is now grown across the world for its medicinal & non-medicinal benefits. These include being a cough suppressant, anti-inflammatory and a natural insect repellent. As well as being able to prevent infection, soothe cold sores and ease joint pain.

Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia carteri)

In soap, frankincense essential oil helps with acne, inflammation, as well as reducing the look of wrinkles. The scent varies slightly depending on the variety and the season in which it was harvested, however, it is commonly described as having a pine scent with notes of citrus and spice. 

Geranium Essential Oil, Egyptian (Pelargonium odorantissum)

Great for face soap, geranium Egyptian essential oil can even out the complexion for oily or combination skin as well as help re-hydrate dry or mature skin. The scent is also said to relax the mind and help alleviate insomnia. The scent profile of geranium Egyptian oil is nothing like the geraniums you may find on one’s garden. Rather, it has a very floral, sweet rose-like scent with herbal notes.

Grapefruit, Pink Essential Oil (Citrus paradisi)

For skin, grapefruit essential oil can help tighten skin, treat clogged pores and fight acne and believed to be an astringent. In hair, this oil can promote hair growth. Often natural deodorants will use grapefruit oil as it is said that it can kill the bacteria that caused body odour. It is also rumoured that grapefruit essential oil can help combat cellulite.  This essential oil just like the fruit has a great citrus scent as it is made from grapefruit peel.

Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustilfolia)

Lavender essential oil has a huge laundry list of uses from fighting acne, being a natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic, to helping to heal wounds. It can help repel insects as well as treat insect bites, it helps get rid of lice, and help relieve headaches and migraines. The list goes on as this amazingly versatile oil’s benefits go way beyond this shortlist provided here. Lavender essential oils do not smell like the sweet floral scents you often find in the store which are not made with actual essential oils but more often perfume. The scent is more earthy like crushed herbs or tomato plants

Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon)

The fresh clean scent of lemon essential oil is said to improve mood and alertness. Benefits wise in soap, lemon essential oil helps treat acne and heal wounds. It is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial and an antiseptic.

Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf)

Lemongrass essential oil is derived from the grassy stalks of the lemongrass plant which is often used in but not limited to southeast Asian dishes. It is not only delicious, it also helps with digestion issues. As an essential oil, it has a lot of reported benefits such as being antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, & antioxidant. It soothes skin and muscles which makes it popular for massage lotions and creams as well as a natural insect repellent.

Lime Essential Oil (Citrus aurantiifolia)

The sweet citrus scent of lime essential oils can be used to lift moodiness almost immediately. It is often used for oily skin and hair and helps with acne. Its natural antibacterial and antiviral properties make it a great addition to any soap and has also been known to help heal wounds.

Orange Essential Oil, Sweet (Citrus sinesis)

Orange essential oil smells just like that moment you tear into the flesh of a juicy ripe navel orange. Not only does it smell amazing, it can increase alertness and is said to help you focus. Orange essential oil is also used to help fight the signs of ageing, alleviate stress, treat acne, and is a natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and fungicidal.

Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin)

Patchouli essential oil comes from the leaves of the pogostemon cablin plant which is a member of the mint family. Commonly used in perfumes, patchouli essential oil is also beneficial for treating dermatitis & acne as well as soothe and ease dry and cracked skin. Patchouli is also a natural insecticide, antifungal, & is antibacterial.   

Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha x piperita)

Peppermint essential oil is a crisp and clean mint scent. It is a natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic and can be used to repel insects, increase mental alertness and help alleviate headaches.

Petitgrain Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium)

Petitgrain essential oil is made from the leaves and trigs of the bitter orange tree and is therefore not as sweet-smelling as an orange essential oil. It does, however, smell amazing! You still get that great citrus scent that helps with mental alertness and focus. Petitgrain essential oil is used to help with acne, oily skin and is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic.

Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary essential oil has a strong herbal, woody evergreen scent and is used to fight the signs of ageing, and it is naturally antibacterial, fungicide and antiseptic. It is said that it can also help with cellulite and be an aphrodisiac.

Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree essential oil has a lot of skin benefits, well known for being able to treat acne due to fighting scars, inflammation, preventing infection as well as calming redness and controlling oily skin. Tea tree is also used for people suffering from dry skin, psoriasis, eczema and fighting itchy skin. This oil is a natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antimicrobial and deodorizer. 

Vetiver Essential Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides)

Vetiver essential oil has an earthy herbaceous fragrance and was used a lot in the 70’s as a natural aphrodisiac. This essential oil is still a popular additive to men’s products today, however, this oil is definitely not a “men’s only” scent. It is used to reduce acne, wrinkles and oily skin. It is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic.

Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga ororata)

Ylang-Ylang essential oil has a heavy sweet floral scent with notes of jasmine, banana and neroli. You can find this essential oil in commercial perfume such as Chanel No. 5 and Joy Perfume. It is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. In hair products, it can help with dandruff, dry hair, and promote hair growth. In soap and lotions, it can help with reducing anger, stress, fatigue, and grief as well as treat oily skin.