Essential oils have become a staple in the natural skincare world, lavender to calm, tea tree to clarify, and rosehip to renew. However, despite their popularity, essential oils can pose risks, especially for those with sensitive skin, leading to irritation, allergic reactions, or even long-term damage when used improperly. So, what’s the real deal? Let’s unpack the love-hate relationship between essential oils and sensitive skin, exploring how you can make informed, safe choices when incorporating essential oils into their skincare routines.
If your go-to moisturiser suddenly stings, or your skin flares up after trying that trending new serum, you might be experiencing sensitive skin. And you're not alone, many people, as they grow, notice their skin becoming more reactive, even if it wasn’t always that way. But what exactly is sensitive skin? Is it a skin type, a condition, or just a sign that your skincare routine needs a reset? Let’s break it down.
Sensitive skin isn’t a clinical diagnosis, it’s a broad term for skin that’s easily irritated by factors that wouldn’t bother most people. That irritation can show up as redness, stinging, burning, tightness, dryness, or even breakouts.
The skin barrier is your body's frontline defence, it keeps moisture in and irritants out. As we age (hello, late 30s and early 40s), the skin naturally produces less oil, making that barrier more vulnerable. Add in exfoliants, sun exposure, or even seasonal changes, and suddenly that once-resilient skin can start reacting to everything.
Essential oils are extremely potent extracts. It can take pounds of plant material, like leaves, flowers, or rinds, to produce just a few drops. That means each drop contains a highly concentrated mix of volatile compounds, which makes them powerful... and potentially problematic.
Even though they’re “natural”, essential oils are not inherently gentle, and it’s important to know that natural does not always mean safe. Your skin might tolerate them when it's healthy, but if your barrier is compromised or you're prone to sensitivity, they can quickly cause inflammation.
The key is in dilution, this can help make your essential oils less harsh and harmful if you are suffering with sensitive skin, if in doubt get yourself a patch test, you can never be too careful when it comes to your skin, especially when we consider how absorbent it can be. Less reactive oils can include Lavender and Chamomile, but we would always say to check with a dermatologist if you are unsure about what your skin may react to.
The Natural Spa Factory Ab:scent range is suited to all skin types, but it is particularly perfect if you struggle with sensitive skin, our Ab:scent range is completely fragrance free and essential-oil free which means more skincare confidence for you. The severe lack of aggressive actives should put your mind at ease and our clean formulations are just ideal for sensitive, or post‑treatment skin prone to flare‑ups.
Of course, essential oils can offer benefits, but they’re not without risks. The best approach is to pay close attention to how your skin responds and prioritise keeping your skin barrier strong and healthy.
