Natural Skincare: Which Essential Oils Suit Your Skin Type
Which essential oils suit dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin, and how to apply them in natural skincare with the right carrier oil.
In this guide
The best essential oils for skin depend on your skin type. Rose, frankincense and sandalwood suit dry and mature skin, tea tree and rosemary suit oily skin, and lavender and Roman chamomile are gentle choices for sensitive skin. This guide matches each oil to your skin type and shows you how to apply it safely in natural skincare.
Key takeaways
- Match the oil to your skin: dry, sensitive, oily, combination or mature.
- Never put essential oils on your face neat. Always dilute them in a carrier oil or a plain cream.
- Use about 20 drops per 100ml of cream or carrier oil, which is roughly 2 drops per 10ml.
- Blend no more than three oils at first, so you can tell what each one does.
- Patch test on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use.
Why make your own essential oil skincare?
Adapt your skincare to your skin. With a few very basic ingredients you can make nourishing, high-quality skincare at home, tailored exactly to what your skin needs.
Essential oils have been used in cosmetics for centuries. Their benefits for the skin are well known, and they are chosen by skin type or by the result you want. Natural skincare is a journey of self-discovery, so allow yourself to experiment.
Beyond what you see on your skin, notice the scent of each oil and how it shifts your mood. Your nose is a reliable guide, and in time you will know what suits you.
Which essential oils suit my skin type?
Use this chart to find the natural essential oils for your skin. A tick means the oil is traditionally chosen for that skin type.
| Oil | Dry | Sensitive | Oily | Mature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankincense | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Geranium (rose geranium) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sandalwood | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lavender | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Rose | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Jasmine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ylang ylang | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Patchouli | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Myrrh | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Clary sage | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Roman chamomile | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Rosemary | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Tea tree | ✓ | |||
| Peppermint | ✓ |
Frankincense, geranium and sandalwood appear in every column, which makes them easy all-rounders if you are not sure where to start.
Best essential oils for dry skin
Clary sage, frankincense, geranium, lavender, jasmine, myrrh, patchouli, Roman chamomile, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang all suit dry skin.
Dry skin tends to benefit from richer, more nourishing oils. Frankincense and rose are traditionally valued for dry complexions, while a richer carrier such as jojoba helps lock in moisture. For winter dryness, see our guide for dry winter skin.
Best essential oils for sensitive skin
Frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, rose and sandalwood are the traditional choices for sensitive skin.
If your skin is reactive, keep blends simple and dilutions low. Lavender and Roman chamomile are among the gentlest options, and a patch test is especially important here.
Best essential oils for oily skin
Clary sage, frankincense, geranium, patchouli, peppermint, Roman chamomile, rosemary, sandalwood, tea tree and ylang ylang all suit oily skin.
For oilier or blemish-prone skin, lighter carrier oils work well. Jojoba is a good match because it closely mimics the skin's own sebum. Pair it with balancing oils like geranium and tea tree.
What essential oils are good for combination skin?
Combination skin is dry in some places and oily in others, often with an oilier T-zone. Choose oils that appear in both the dry and the oily lists, such as geranium, frankincense, sandalwood, clary sage, ylang ylang, patchouli and Roman chamomile.
A light carrier like jojoba suits most combination skin. Geranium is a popular pick here, as it is known as a balancing oil.
Best essential oils for mature skin
Frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, patchouli, rose, rosemary, sandalwood and ylang ylang are all traditional choices for mature skin.
Mature skin is often drawn to the deeper, resinous notes of frankincense and myrrh, alongside the floral richness of rose. For a closer look at these, read our guide to the benefits of anti-ageing organic essential oils for skin, or make our frankincense and myrrh face cream.
How to apply essential oils to your skin
There are two simple ways to bring essential oils into your skincare. Both start with diluting the oil, never using it neat.
1. Add them to a cream you already use
For a gentle start, add a few drops of essential oil to a face cream you already trust. Or buy a plain, unscented natural cream and add your favourite oil to it. Stir well before you apply it.
2. Mix them into a carrier oil
If you prefer applying oil to your skin, choose a carrier oil such as coconut oil, olive oil or jojoba. Jojoba is light and similar to the skin's natural sebum, while coconut and olive oil are richer options for drier skin. Our guide to choosing a carrier oil explains each one in more detail.
How many drops of essential oil to use
| Cream or carrier oil | Essential oil in total |
|---|---|
| 10ml | About 2 drops |
| 50ml | About 10 drops |
| 100ml | About 20 drops |
To begin with, avoid blending more than three different oils at once. That way you can still tell the scents and effects apart. Start with small batches while you find the combinations you love.
Pro tip
Before using an oil, take a moment to smell it. If you do not enjoy the scent, simply choose another from the list for your skin type. You are far more likely to keep using a blend you love.
Want a ready-made recipe? Try our 4 DIY face serums for every skin type, or read our top 3 essential oils for skin for a shorter starter list.
How to use essential oils safely on skin
Safety first
Never apply neat, undiluted essential oils to the skin, as this may cause irritation. Always dilute them in a carrier oil or cream first.
- Patch test a small amount on the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use.
- Essential oils are for external use only and should not be swallowed.
- Keep oils away from your eyes, and out of reach of children and pets.
- Use extra care with peppermint and rosemary on the face, and keep them at a low dilution.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a skin condition, check with your GP or a qualified practitioner first.
FAQs
Can I put essential oils directly on my face?
No. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should always be diluted in a carrier oil or cream before you apply them to the skin, to avoid irritation.
What are the best essential oils for skin?
It depends on your skin type. Frankincense, geranium and sandalwood suit every skin type in our chart. Rose and jasmine are lovely for dry and mature skin, and tea tree and rosemary suit oily skin.
Which essential oils are best for sensitive skin?
Lavender and Roman chamomile are among the gentlest. Frankincense, geranium, jasmine, rose and sandalwood are also traditional choices. Keep the dilution low and always patch test first.
How many drops of essential oil should I add to my cream?
As a general guide, use around 20 drops of essential oil in total per 100ml of cream or carrier oil. Start with fewer if your skin is sensitive.
Which carrier oils work best for the face?
Jojoba is a popular all-rounder because it is light and similar to the skin's natural sebum. Coconut and olive oil are richer options for drier skin.
How do I know if an essential oil suits my skin?
Patch test a diluted amount on the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. If there is no redness or irritation, it can usually be used more widely.
Can I mix several essential oils together?
Yes, but to begin with keep to no more than three oils per blend. That way you can clearly tell the scents and effects apart and adjust to your liking.
The bottom line
Choosing essential oils by skin type is the simplest way to start natural skincare. Pick two or three oils from your column, dilute them well and patch test first. Find ready-made natural products in our skincare collection, or browse every single oil in our essential oils collection.
