Orange essential oil is a versatile oil that can uplift your spirits while radiating your skin. Not only does it smell like a basket of freshly picked summer oranges, but it is also one of many great essential oils for skin. Basically, using this essential oil has numerous benefits. Some include improving your skin tone, elasticity, and hydration. It is made by cold-pressing the rind of oranges, leaving a strikingly potent oil packed with vitamin C. Check out this list to reap the benefits of orange essential oil for skin.
Important: All citrus essential oils are photosensitive. Meaning, you should not apply these oils to your skin and then go in direct sunlight. Wait at least 12 hours after you’ve applied orange oil to be in the sun, or cover up to avoid skin irritation.
Orange Essential Oil Acne-Fighting Balm
The antimicrobial properties of orange essential oil for skin help it fight off acne on your face and body.[1] In fact, one study tracked users of an orange essential oil gel formula and recorded that the number of acne pimples decreased after use.[2] This makes it a great natural alternative to all the chemicals you might otherwise be using in commercial products.
You can easily create your own acne-fighting balm at home. Just add three drops of orange oil and three drops of tea tree oil into a bowl, and mix in a tablespoon of beeswax. You can also add in half a teaspoon of vitamin E too. Vitamin E is photoprotective, meaning it can help your skin cope with sunlight and thus reduce any scarring.[3] You can even apply a very thin layer all over your face before bedtime.
As a tip, you can create a spot treatment balm by increasing the orange and tea tree essential oil count to four drops each. Then, mix it with 20ml of your favorite neutral face lotion. You can increase or decrease the number of oil drops depending on the effectiveness of the solution for your skin type. Apply this to the specific pimples that bother you.
Orange Essential Oil Anti-Aging Face and Neck Cream
The orange essential oil benefits for skin make it a great addition to your anti-aging skincare routine. For example, orange oil is full of antioxidants. To be more specific, it can control the free radicals that would otherwise speed up your aging process.[4] The less free radicals you have, the slower the signs of aging (like wrinkles and sagging skin) will show. As an added bonus, you can take advantage of the fact that orange oil is one of the best smelling essential oils around!
If you use it as an anti-aging cream, try mixing it with a hydrating, unscented lotion. Alternatively, make your own concoction with half a cup of whipped coconut butter, 12 drops of orange essential oil, and 12 drops of rosehip carrier oil.
Orange Essential Oil Mood-Boosting Skin Mist
Orange essential oil is a cheerful oil that has shown signs of relieving anxiety when inhaled as an aromatherapy tool.[5] However, studies show that you can get a mood-boosting and calming effect from only a topical application as well. One trial applied orange essential oil to patients’ skins, but then didn’t let them breathe in the scent. The results showed a slower pulse rate and higher mood and vigor level.[6]
So, if you’re interested in getting a mood boost without turning on your diffuser, simply make some orange essential oil for skin mist. Mix together six drops of orange oil with 30ml of witch hazel, and mist onto your body to refresh yourself.
Still, keep in mind the rules about citrus oils. So don’t head out into direct sunlight after applying orange oil to your skin.
Orange Essential Oil Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer
Did you know you can use orange essential oil for skin sanitation too? The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of orange essential oil are strong enough to kill off even salmonella.[7] Keep yourself and your family safe by making a DIY hand sanitizer with orange oil.
It’s easier to make than it sounds. Just combine six drops of orange oil, six drops of tea tree oil, ¼ cup of witch hazel, and ¼ cup of aloe vera gel. Shake together until combined. Then, simply use whenever you need a quick cleanse on your hands. The aloe vera gel will hydrate your skin while the other ingredients will fight off any lingering bacteria.
Orange Essential Oil for Body Massage
Orange oil contains B-myrcene, a chemical component that is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.[8] Thus, orange essential oil is a great choice for a massage oil that supports your outer glow. Plus, it can help to ease any skin agitation you may be having on your body having to do with inflammation, such as dermatitis.
Add this oil to your next back, leg, or foot massage by combining six drops with 30ml of carrier oil such as coconut or hemp oil. You can easily use this oil yourself or bring it to your next appointment and ask your massage therapist to use it too.
Orange Essential Oil Disinfecting Bar Soap
You probably have heard of Staph, a skin infection that travels fast and can travel to the respiratory system. It is common in kids because it is easily transmitted from lack of washing hands. Recent strains of the bacteria are resistant to some typical treatment options, and thus causing further infections for wound and burn patients.[9]
However, one study showed that orange essential oil actually killed the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.[10] This suggests that orange essential oil may be a good preventative tool to kill bacteria, although more research is needed.
To reap the benefits of orange essential oil’s anti-bacterial nature in a preventative way, you can keep a natural orange oil soap by your sink. This way, you and your kids will be killing off the first signs of any potential infections and staying squeaky clean. You can purchase orange essential oil soaps from your local organic shop.
Alternatively, try making an easy DIY soap using a pre-made soap base that you can cut into cubes, melt, and then combine with 15 drops of oil per 4 standard-sized soap bars. Of course, if you or someone you know does contract Staph or another skin infection, you should immediately take a trip to the doctor and consult with a professional.
Looking to make a DIY soap for the man in your life? Try our four-ingredient soap with orange oil recipe!
Orange Essential Oil Dark Spot Lightening Lotion
Many of us have those bags under our eyes from lack of sleep, or discolored scars on our knees from falling off a bike. Thankfully, you can use orange essential oil for skin lightening to combat these imperfections.[11] Orange is a citrus oil that contains properties that even out your skin tone and help regenerate the collagen in your cells.
In this way, you can combat dark spot areas to match the rest of your skin tone better. Make your dark spot lightening lotion with just a few steps. First, combine six drops of orange essential oil with 20ml of your favorite light lotion. Alternatively, you can always just mix the oil with a carrier oil like hemp oil or rosehip oil. Then, dab the mixture onto the problem area and let dry.
Try doing this before bed as it is important to keep in mind that orange oil can irritate your skin if in direct sunlight. Also, if using this product for your under-eye circles, remember not to rub your eyes as you can risk getting the oil into them and causing irritation.
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References
- [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073409/
- [2] http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0120-41572012000100014
- [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009829970700057X
- [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027869150900430X
- [5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938400003085
- [6] https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tapanee_Hongratanaworakit/publication/279804490_Autonomic_and_emotional_responses_after_transdermal_absorption_of_sweet_orange_oil_in_humans_Placebo_controlled_trial/links/559b312308ae793d138228af.pdf
- [7] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00790.x
- [8] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0748233710388452
- [9] https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-12-125
- [10] https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-12-125
- [11] https://patents.google.com/patent/US7226583B2/en
