Essential Oils On Skin: Beneficial Or Harmful in Skincare?

By S. C. Aris — about the author

Last updated: 2026-05-01

Essential oils, including popular ones like lavender and tea tree, are commonly found in various skincare products. However, are they friend or foe for your skin?

These ingredients can sometimes lead to visible skin irritation, especially if applied at high concentrations or purchased from brands unfamiliar with proper formulation. Essential oils are volatile plant extracts known for their distinctive aromas. They can be derived from different parts of a plant, including flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots, and even fruits. Regardless of their source, these lipids consist of complex blends containing various components—some beneficial for the skin while others are not as favorable.

The fragrant compounds present in essential oils pose potential issues when used on the skin; however, they can also have multiple benefits. This duality often confuses people because although these oils provide delightful scents, what may be pleasing to your nose may not necessarily be beneficial for your skin if used improperly.

Many companies that sell products containing these oils often boast about their use in aromatherapy for centuries. However, modern science has uncovered how certain oils can actually cause skin issues. It’s crucial to purchase skincare products containing essential oils from a company that knows how to properly formulate these ingredients.

Is it safe to apply essential oils on skin?

Skincare products often include diluted essential oils with claims of enhancing appearance and reducing fine lines. While you can apply diluted essential oils to your skin, there are reasons to be cautious and reasons they can be beneficial. The only exception is using essential oils specifically for aromatherapy, where small amounts are applied strategically to allow inhalation during the process.

So Are essential oils on skin harmful?

Some components found in essential oils do offer benefits for the skin. For instance, many contain powerful antioxidants like caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid. Additionally, some have antibacterial properties that protect against visible skin problems caused by fungi and yeast.

Sounds promising, right? Well, yes and no. In general, some essential oils are not recommended for skin health due to their potential to irritate and damage the skin. Many of these oils contain compounds that can cause reactions like contact dermatitis, dryness, and itching.

Common irritants found in essential oils include fragrance ingredients such as limonene, citronellol, eugenol, and linalool, which are present in various fragrant plant oils. These irritants are generally fine at low levels if formulated properly, but some products on the market contain high levels of these irritants.

While certain essential oils like rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, cinnamon, citronella, and tea tree have shown helpful properties for acne-prone skin through research studies, they can also cause significant irritation at high levels.

When it comes to addressing aging skin concerns such as wrinkles, brown spots, or loss of firmness, essential oils are not always a good solution, especially if the company you are purchasing from doesn’t know proper skincare science. Now the good news: If the company knows its science and how to formulate properly, recent studies show that essential oils on skin, when formulated correctly, are extremely safe, effective, and beneficial for the skin.

The Science

Safety:

A 2022 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science showed that a diluted combination of common essential oils (tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus) were considered non-cytotoxic or non-phototoxic separately. Finally, the essential oils in combination in an appropriate amount were safe and effective in improving the skin's structure and appearance.

Anti-aging: A study conducted in 2022 found that mice with prematurely aged skin by UV light had significantly fewer wrinkles and signs of premature aging in the coriander seed essential oil treated group. They also found that the essential oil had activities that helped block the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.

Skin Damage/Scars: A 2021 study found Helichrysum essential oil to provide significant improvements in the appearance of scars compared to the untreated group.

Another 2021 study used an essential oil blend on old hypertrophic scarring and found a dramatic reduction in the appearance and thickness of the skin damage:

Skin protection:

A study carried out in Australia found that Indian Sandalwood essential oil showed outstanding skin protection against environmental stresses that can cause premature aging.

…And this is just a few, you can find hundreds more on their antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

So should you stay clear of essential oils in skincare? The answer is; it depends. Essential oils can provide a whole host of benefits for the skin, but you need to get them from a company that knows how to formulate for effectiveness while keeping irritant levels extremely low. Some excellent products we recommend that have been formulated by experts are:

SD7 Lipid Serum (Anti-aging serum)

Scarderma Pro (for scars and skin damage)

Products and essential oils to avoid:

First of all, NEVER use ANY neat or undiluted essential oils on your skin. Also, try to avoid skincare products that contain high levels of essential oil. If it smells really strong, it has probably been formulated incorrectly, so it’s best to avoid it completely, especially if the fragrance is a strong mint or citrus smell (unless it’s a wash-off product like a shower gel or shampoo).

Certain mint oils, like peppermint, wintergreen, pennyroyal, and balm mint, may have a cooling effect but can actually irritate the skin and cause damage if formulated incorrectly. Similarly, it’s best to avoid camphor oil since it can be quite irritating.

How to Choose Safe Essential Oils for Skincare

1. Research the brand. Ensure the company has expertise in skincare science.
2. Check concentrations. Avoid products with high concentrations of essential oils.
3. Test before use. Conduct a patch test to check for any adverse reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are essential oils safe for all skin types?

Not all essential oils are safe for every skin type. It's important to choose oils that are suitable for your specific skin type and concerns.

Can essential oils help with aging skin?

Some essential oils, when properly formulated, can help improve the appearance of aging skin by providing antioxidants and other beneficial properties.

What should I avoid when using essential oils?

Avoid using undiluted essential oils directly on the skin and products with high concentrations of fragrance components.

• Safety and efficacy of combined essential oils for the skin barrier properties: In vitro, ex vivo and clinical studies – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) essential oil and oil-loaded nano-formulations as an anti-aging potentiality via TGFβ/SMAD pathway
• Formulation and Evaluation of Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil-Based Topical Formulations for Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats
• Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Potential of Indian Sandalwood Oil against Environmental Stressors In Vitro and Ex Vivo