When I was a teenager, I rarely suffered from breakouts. I was one of the rare ones that got through puberty without bearing the agony of blackheads and blemishes, making cosmetics and skincare products the furthest thing on my radar. That all changed when I turned 21. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (also known as PCOS) and from then on, I was after every need to know product and treatment on the market. PCOS effects 5-10% of women of childbearing age and it commonly causes painful cystic acne. Battling PCOS can feel like an uphill battle with no solution, it leaves behind hyper-pigmentation, scarring and irritated, bumpy skin.

Thousands of dollars later, a friend of mine recommended that I try essential oils. Not knowing much about them, I got to work on doing research and asking questions. I figured I'd give them a try, considering their cost was a more sustainable solution for my pocket. Three months in and I am surprisingly pleased with how my skin is coming along - especially with the noticeable brightening of my dark spots.

Below is an outline of which oil I used and how I. used them. It is recommended that essential oils always be used when diluted with carrier oils. You can also add these oils to your current cleansers, moisturizers and serums for added benefits. 

I am very happy with my skin at the moment and I am excited to share my regiment with you! 

Treat Acne Breakouts Overnight

Some of the essential oils I used as spot treatments for my acne were tea tree, lavender and chamomile. Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial and disinfectant commonly found in cleaning products and is a key ingredient in just about all pharmacy brand products you can find in your shower caddy. Use as a spot treatment on your breakouts and watch as it clears skin within a few hours! I suggest applying overnight followed by lavender or chamomile. Chamomile and lavender oils soothe irritation and visibly reduce bumps and redness. They help move the healing process along and give a nice cooling sensation to the area. 

Fading Dark Spots and Hyper-pigmentation

Adding citrus oils to my routine allowed me the ability to create my own vitamin-C products at home without spending a dime. Lemon, grapefruit and sweet orange are all fantastic as they promote skin cell regeneration and exfoliate the skin, revealing a gorgeous glow everyone will notice. These oils can be applied as a spot treatment to dark spots or can be added to cleansers and moisturizers. I recommend applying them at night before bed and using plenty of SPF during the day as these oils are photosensitive.

Wrinkles and Signs of Aging

I'm in my late 20's but I am definitely noticing some light wrinkles around my eyes and between my eyebrows. Looking for a solution that wouldn't require investing in anti-aging product lines (or botox), my research led me to try carrot seed and cypress oils. These oils work from the inside, boosting blood flow circulation to the area and promoting cell turnover. It feels good to notice a difference and they are definitely brightening and smoothing out the skin around my eyes! I also discovered that they work wonders on varicose veins and cellulite. 

Maintaining Clear Skin

You've put the work in and now you want to know how to maintain and better the results. Rose oil has long been dubbed the "beauty oil". It's an all-in-one solution to clearing, brightening and day to day maintenance. It can be applied over moisturizer as a supplement to the skin day and night. Other oils to have on hand are blue tansy, emu and ylang-ylang. These oils regulate sebum production, hydrate and act as natural substitutes to hyaluronic acid treatments. Don't just use them on your skin - apply them to your hair and scalp for a softer mane.