The first thing to consider when battling acne is diet. Eating a well-balanced diet is very important; avoid fatty foods and get plenty of exercise outdoors if possible. Gut health is very important. Avoid trigger foods (e.g., grains, dairy, sugar, processed foods, artificial foods) until your gut is able to tolerate them. Pimples, acne, and blackheads can be resolved with time, patience, and general good health. [To improve gut health, consider GAPSdiet.com and/or Body Ecology Diet.

It is generally believed that acne is caused, at least in part, by bacteria living and growing in your pores, so essential oils are very effective as part of a healthy regimen to combat acne and pimples. Other parts of the equation include adequate rest, exercise, filtered water and a good healthy diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables.

Essential oils can work wonderfully in the fight against acne. Diluted appropriately, essential oils can be applied topically to relieve mild to moderate acne. When choosing an essential oil: 1) Consider your skin type, whether your skin is tough or delicate and sensitive, and 2) Consider the kind of acne you are dealing with. When using essential oils on the skin, it is important to choose a carrier oil that will not clog pores; Grapeseed, Emu and Jojoba oils are excellent choices for facial applications.

Hopewell Essential Oils considered many testimonies about how people found relief from using essential oils and created a now popular blend we call Complexion. Complexion is a blend of Lavender, Tea Tree and Birch. Here’s a little explanation on why we felt to use these oils:
Lavender – is known to be very healing to the skin. Lavender is antibacterial and soothing. It effectively prevents breakouts and clears the redness often associated with acne-prone skin.
Tea Tree – fights bacteria and fungus. Tea Tree soothes irritation, rashes, and burns, controls acne and dandruff, and treats warts and other fungal infections. Tea Tree’s fast-acting healing properties make it one of the most popular choices in acne treatment.
Birch – encourages the peeling of the top layer of skin and opens plugged follicles, which help reestablish the normal skin-cell replacement cycle.

Consider diluting with Jojoba:
Jojoba – is a botanical extract of the seed of the jojoba tree (Simmondsia chinenis) and is actually a wax ester, not an oil. This wax ester is the most similar “oil” to our human skin. Some feel that it helps balance oil production. It is not an eye irritant or allergenic. It provides all-day moisturization, spreads and absorbs well and is free from pesticides, is non-GMO and sustainably farmed. Typically, we don't use essential oils at a dilution over 5% on our face.

The bacteria commonly associated with acne has become increasingly resistant to topical antibiotic treatment but not to essential oil remedies. In vitro research shows these anti-inflammatory EOs are effective for acne bacteria. In one study, Rose was more effective than Tea Tree.
Cinnamon Leaf
Clove
Grapefruit
Lavender
Palmarosa
Rose otto
Rosemary ct pinene
Sandalwood
Tea Tree
Thyme ct thymol
Vetiver
Fatty oils with anti-inflammatory properties:
Hemp
Jojoba
Credit: Tisserand Institute: Essential Oils for Healthy Skin class

Face Wash (Purchon/Cantele)
4oz glass bottle (either pourable or spray)
1/4 cup filtered/distilled water
8 tsp Rose hydrolat
1/4 - 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerine (attracts moisture)
6 drops essential oil suitable for your skin type
Shake well before using.
All Skin Types
Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Palmarosa, Rose, Rosewood
Dry Skin
Benzoin, Bergamot, Carrot Seed, German and Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Palmarosa, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosemary ct verbenone, Rosewood, Sandalwood
Normal Skin
Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Palmarosa, Rose, Rosewood, Ylang Ylang
Oily Skin
Basil ct linalool, Cedarwood, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Grapefruit, Juniperberry, Spike Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang
Sensitive Skin
German or Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, Neroli, Rose

Patchouli is a favorite for acne. It is skin-friendly, helps clear infection and calms inflammation. Pair with Helichrysum and Aloe Vera for a blend you can dab on troublesome areas throughout the day.
10 mL Roll-on Applicator
3 drops Patchouli
3 drops Helichrysum
10 mL Aloe Vera

Basic Nourishing Cleansing Oil for all skin types (Worwood)
1oz Sweet Almond oil
1oz Apricot Kernal oil
2 tsp Coconut oil
1 TB Sunflower oil
1 TB Jojoba
Essential oils may be added if desired.

Hydrolats, such as Rose and Lavender, are often used as a 'toner' after cleansing the face. They help soothe the skin and close the pores.

Testimonies
The following anecdotal testimonies have not been reviewed by the FDA.
The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease.
Information shared on the HEO website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice given by your trusted healthcare provider.
We believe that essential oils are provided by the Lord to support our health and well-being.
The Lord is our wisdom, protector and healer.
(Genesis 1:29-30, Ezekiel 47:12) 

1. I have a couple of teenagers who struggle with acne. Their doctor wanted to prescribe a medication that required that their blood levels be monitored – that was like a loud siren in my ears. I wanted to see if essential oils could help them, so I proposed a little experiment. For one week, they would apply Lavender to only one side of their faces after a thorough washing. Four days later, the Lavender side of their faces was almost totally clear of pimples! Of course at this point, they begged me to end the experiment so they could apply it to both sides!! Eventually, we decided that Tea Tree and Lavender together were a better combination, but they are virtually acne-free when they consistently use this simple blend.

2. I’m middle-aged and have “suffered” with acne since I was a teenager. After I tossed out my chemically-laden shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hand soap, facial cleanser, cosmetics, deodorant, and hairspray, my skin cleared up. My suggestion is: get rid of all the chemicals in your life! Don’t put it on your skin if you wouldn’t eat it.

3. My teenage son tried Lavender, but it didn’t seem to do much for him. One day, he asked if he could use Woman Ease, which is a blend of Clary Sage, Fennel, Lavender, Spikenard, Patchouli, Jasmine Sambac, Marjoram and Yarrow in a Jojoba base. I’d gotten this for myself to help balance my hormones. My son said it seemed to open up his acne pores, and they drained all that built-up sebum. The anti-bacterial properties healed them overnight.

4. Woman Ease and Tea Tree oil helped my granddaughter immensely!

5. First, we wash with homemade Oatmeal Goat's Milk Soap that her friend makes and then apply Complexion essential oil blend. We have gotten rid of all the chemicals that we used to put on our bodies and chemicals that we used to clean with including laundry soap. It has made a world of difference!

6. We found that Tea Tree alone worked, but the smell was hard to take. I decided to try Hopewell’s Complexion blend, and everyone in our family finds that very pleasant. It works great!

7. My son was on a prescription face cream, but when it ran out, the doctor wouldn’t prescribe more until my son came in for a physical, which he felt too busy to bother with. When his acne started returning in full force, he agreed to try some Lavender. In just a couple of days, his face was clear again and he was sold! He occasionally gets teased about his smells, but he just tells his friends that he doesn’t have acne and they do!

8. When I’m pregnant, I get sore, red bumps on my face that are reminiscent of pimples, but they never come to a head. I apply Tea Tree oil neat (undiluted) directly on the bump, and within a day, they are gone.

9. I believe a good colon cleanse will almost invariably clear up all acne (as well as some mood disorders since 90% of serotonin is generated in the digestive system). A good liver cleanse will also help balance hormones and control the digestive process. Of course, diets have a big influence on acne as well. Eliminate foods that might have hormones (meat) and increase essential fatty acids and zinc.

10. My son cleared his acne by:
1) Cutting back on grains and sugar
2) Washing his face morning and evening with Dairy Meadow Honey Oatmeal Soap
3) Applying my homemade astringent/toner morning and evening after washing his face

Astringent/Toner
4 oz raw Apple Cider Vinegar
20 drops Lavender
20 drops Eucalyptus Radiata

11. I'm 55 and got a 10ml Free-N-Clear for my teenagers, but I had a pimple pop up on my face just like when I was a teenager. So, I had a chance to try it. I applied it frequently over the next few hours until I went to bed. By that time (just hours later), it had come to a head and had drained by morning. I applied Free-N-Clear again a couple of times so the spot would heal quickly, and it did. I'm impressed with it. - Linda

12. I just wanted to say I'm so thankful to HEOs! I'm 26 years old, and I've had acne since I was 12. I've tried everything under the sun, and nothing has worked. I started washing my face with Dairy Meadow’s Oatmeal Goat Milk soap and using Free-N-Clear twice a day. Less than two weeks later my face is drastically better! Nothing has ever worked like this. Thank you so much!!!!! - Hayley

13. If all the above fails for you, take a look at this website:
AcnEase for a natural remedy for cystic acne.

14. I am now 43 and still have had acne issues since I was a teenager. I have been using Pro Active on my face for over 6+ years. I have NEVER found anything else that would work on my face. I have been using the Honey/Oatmeal Goats Milk Soap and Complexion and Free-N-Clear on my face daily, and I am really shocked that it's working! YAY!! It's been a solid 3 weeks of using those products, and I am very happy. It has also been helping with my 13-year-old daughter’s acne. Her face looks so much better now, too. I will be saving tons of money because the Pro Active stuff is costly. Thank you for making these blends; we LOVE them!! - Sheri O.

15. I am a severe acne-during-pregnancy-sufferer. Doing these three things: 1) drinking water (a gallon daily), 2) washing face with Honey Oatmeal Soap, and 3) applying Free-N-Clear has helped more than anything else. What I absolutely can't stand is how very little self-control I have to avoid sugar during pregnancy, and this makes the acne unbeatable! - Candice

16. For acne, consider cutting out grains and dairy as well (like paleo eaters). Also, probiotics help with gut health and do wonders for skin issues. Another thing that's great for skin is green superfoods! Don't waste money on diluted brands. My favorite brand is www.healthforce.com, and you can get both there. Don't underestimate the power of water...especially with lemon. Also, make sure your cleansers do not overdry the skin, and that you do not fail to moisturize, or your oil glands will be overactive, causing breakouts.Change the pillowcase 1 or 2x a week. - Anna

17. My 15-year-old son has forehead acne. The Mercy blend has been working well. Last spring, he had a really bad huge pimple (perhaps more than one) - so bad that I took him to the doctor who put him on antibiotics and then had to give him a stronger one, plus an antibiotic ointment. The MRSA seems to be helping more than the antibiotics ever did. He's also been on a prescription lotion for acne for years that I have stopped using. - Ellie

18. I suffer from acne, and I highly recommend Jojoba oil for the face - I use it daily to oil cleanse, and it's wonderful. Jojoba is very similar to the face's natural sebum, so it's cleansing AND moisturizing, as well as non-irritating, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic. As for the dilution, I would start with a medium dilution rate, maybe 5% (5 drops eo to 1 tsp carrier), and, if your skin does well with it, work up from there. What has made the biggest difference for me is changing my diet - specifically, in my case, eliminating gluten. The key to making the change was realizing that if we saw a baby with 'acne', we would call it a rash and immediately wonder what food had triggered it. But at a certain age, we just start calling it acne and ignore the potential/probable relationship between the acne and what we're eating. This may not be the whole story for everyone, but my own personal testimony is that changing my diet has led me to have consistently clear skin for the first time in 20 years. Hope this helps! - Ali

19. I just thought I would share with you that I think I've figured out half the battle with my acne problem. I believe it was mainly caused by a long-term vitamin D3 deficiency. Vitamin D3 is in actuality a hormone. Anyways. I still get acne from time to time, but I am mainly just dealing with the residual scarring now. The inflammation has really settled down. Hope you are well, Karen

20. I bought Free-N-Clear for a child, but they set it aside until, out of desperation, they tried it. The shoulder acne is gone, plus scars are healing! -Julie

21. I absolutely love the Complexion blend! I have always had regular acne breakouts, even now at age 30. I also have Dermatillomania (skin picking disorder), so every time I have breakout I end up with scabs all over my face from picking at my acne. I have started using a drop of Complexion with my moisturizer every morning, which has worked wonders! It helps my scabs heal faster and seems to prevent bad breakouts. For the first time in my adult life, I had the confidence to leave the house without wearing concealer! I recently ran out of Complexion and immediately had a breakout again, so I'm glad I got my new shipment in the mail today! - Stephanie

22. I love my oils; our latest find has been in your testimonies! My son tried a gel I made for a few huge zits with perfect success this school year! So very exciting for a self-conscious kid as I would be too! (5 drops of Tea Tree oil and 5 drops of Lavender in Aloe Gel combined in a small dripper bottle.) - Lori

23. Thank you for offering the Rosalina. I purchased it for my daughter's acne, and it has made such a significant impact on clearing up her face that she's actually learning to get past the scent because of its amazing effect on her sensitive skin! (She's a picky 13-year-old. . . I really appreciate the scent of it, and my co-workers also were drawn to it.) Even she realizes that it works a million times better than the commercially available cleansers marketed to clear up acne. She applied undiluted, and it did not aggravate her skin even though almost everything else did. We didn't try to dilute it because it was gentle enough to be used undiluted, and we were concerned that the carrier would further block her pores. - Melissa?[HEO's comment: Even gentle oils like Rosalina and Lavender can eventually create sensitization issues, so unless spot-treated occasionally, we feel it's best to dilute. Carrier oils such as Coconut, Jojoba, infused Calendula, Grapeseed or Emu oil may actually help improve acne issues, as they help keep the pores moist so they function better. Coconut oil is a dry and well-absorbed oil, but not the best choice for actively inflamed skin, although it does have antimicrobial properties. Jojoba is dry, light and absorbs well, helping the skin retain moisture, which may help prevent the skin from overcompensating with more oil production. Grapeseed is good for oily skin with crusty or flaky acne.]

We offer this as an example of a suitable, moisturizing blend for acne:

4oz glass bottle
2oz Grapeseed oil
1oz Jojoba oil (or another oil of your choice)
1/2oz Infused Calendula oil
1/2oz Evening Primrose oil
15 drops Lavender
5 drops Rosalina
5 drops Oregano can be added if the above doesn't adequately deal with the bacteria

References
Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, 2014, pages 354-364.
Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, 2016, page 354.