Scars are like natural tattoos except that we didn’t choose them and often we wish that we could get rid of them for good. After all, who really wants to keep having to explain that the big scar on their knee was from a time when they tripped over a crack in a sidewalk?
What about the time you fainted and sliced open your head after staying in the hot tub for too long? Do you want to tell everyone the story behind your surgical scars or would you rather they get to know you for who you are rather than the medical conditions you have?
Essential oils can help buff away these unwanted mementos.
Why Essential Oils Are Good For Scars
We would all like for our skin injuries to heal smoothly and leave no trace, but sometimes we are left with scars as souvenirs. Scars can be caused by problems during the wound healing process or may be a result of your body naturally producing excess scar tissue. In the case of excess scar tissue production, you may not be able to prevent scarring but you can certainly focus on minimizing the appearance of the scars.
Essential oils help reduce the chance of scarring because they possess qualities that aid in reducing inflammation, minimizing the chances of infection, supporting a rapid healing process, maintaining wound hydration and stimulating healthy skin regeneration. Essential oils can also help minimize the appearance of existing scars.
Best Essential Oils For Scars
1. Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)
When we get injured, the open wound can easily be contaminated by bacteria and microbes. Carrot seed stands between us and those foreign invaders. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of her chemical constituents guard against infection.
Once we begin healing, carrot seed helps to tone the skin and restore elasticity.
Carrot seed is especially useful for helping to protect and restore facial skin. Apply diluted carrot seed to facial breakouts to help them heal properly.
Best for: Reducing inflammation and infection potential in new wounds
2. Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
One of the favorite oils of ancient Egypt, frankincense has an illustrious history as a skin preservative. This oil has been said to aid in a wide variety of skin related maladies.
In lab tests, frankincense demonstrated an ability to reduce inflammation and to facilitate healthy skin regeneration without an excess of collagen buildup which leads to scarring.
Try frankincense as part of a new wound compress and incorporate into healing salves.
Best for: Reducing inflammation in new wounds & excess scar tissue in healing wounds.
3. Galbanum (Ferula gummosa)
Egyptian embalmers were experts in preserving skin. One of their oils of choice was galbanum.
You don’t have to be a mummy to benefit from this oil though. Galbanum sees our existing scars and waves her magic wand to renew our skin and help minimize the appearance of scar tissue.
Add galbanum to your nightly moisturizer (up to 5-10% dilution for three weeks at a time) and smooth on old scars.
Best for: Healing existing scar tissue
4. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens or Pelargonium roseum)
If you are looking for a multi-talented essential oil who will be up for the challenge of caring for everything from fresh wounds to old scars, geranium is your girl.
She has been known to accelerate wound healing while reducing the chances of infection, redness, and scaring. If you already have existing scars, geranium can make them less noticeable.
Use diluted geranium as part of a compress to help prevent infection in new wounds. For existing scars, geranium can be added to an ointment and massaged in nightly.
Choose Pelargonium roseum if you prefer the rich floral geranium scent or Pelargonium graveolens for a more mild aroma.
Best for: Soothing irritated skin and reducing the appearance of scars
5. Helichrysum (Helichrysum angustifolium)
One of the most powerful of skin healing oils is helichrysum. This dynamic oil is well-known for her holistic effects on all elements of wound healing.
Her analgesic properties soothe pain while her anti-inflammatory qualities mitigate swelling and redness in fresh wounds. As our skin begins to heal, helichrysum supports circulation and cellular regeneration while keeping skin soft and moisturized so scars are less likely to form.
Helichrysum is often recommended for surgical patients. Once your staples or stitches are removed, apply diluted helichrysum to your incision site to promote healing.
Best for: Speeding wound healing and cellular recovery while also reducing pain.
Note: 0.5% maximum dilution for topical application
6. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, the queen of all essential oils, brings her antiseptic qualities to bear when she is invited to assist you with wound care. Of course, when we are injured we can also use a little tender love. Lavender cleans out our physical “boo boos” and then gives us nice gentle emotional support with her soothing aroma.
Lavender excels in assisting with burn care. The blend of her antiseptic and calming properties is exactly what we need. Try incorporating lavender into a burn gel for sunburns and other minor burns.
Best for: Reducing the chance of infection in new wounds
Note: 1% maximum dilution for topical application
7. Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
The manuka tree is well known in Australia and New Zealand where bees produce a therapeutic honey from its nectar.
The extra value of the manuka honey comes from the manuka tree’s particularly potent antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These same properties have been demonstrated by manuka essential oil.
Combine the healing benefits of manuka and honey by making your own manuka honey blend to apply as a salve to new wounds. Keep applying throughout the healing process.
Best for: Reducing the chance of infection in new wounds
8. Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Patchouli is a practical down to earth oil for the skin. She is a very strong antibacterial agent which makes her ideal for helping protect open wounds from infection.
Patchouli doesn’t just stand by and watch when it comes to healing either. She can aid in skin regeneration in such a way that it reduces the chances of scarring.
Create an antibacterial wound care blend using diluted patchouli and apply directly to wounds during each dressing change.
Best for: Reducing chance of infection, promoting wound healing, and reducing the chance of scarring
Best Essential Oil For Scars Recipes
Essential Oil Salve For Speedy, Healthy Wound Healing
Melt beeswax in a double boiler with carrier oils.
- 1 ounce beeswax
- 1 ounce jasmine carrier oil
- 1 ounce calendula carrier oil
Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool until it just starts to thicken. Mix in essential oils.
- 12 drops carrot seed
- 12 drops manuka
- 12 drops patchouli
Pour salve into opaque glass jars and allow to cool until set. Apply directly to wounds to keep them moist, ward off infection, and speed healing.
Surgical Incision Healing Essential Oil Blend
In a small dark colored glass jar combine essential oils and carrier oil.
- 8 drops geranium
- 2 drops helichrysum
- 4 drops lavender
- 1 ounce rosehip carrier
- 1 ounce jasmine carrier
After staples or stitches have been removed, gently massage oil into the area up to three times daily.
Essential Oil Scar Minimizing Serum
Combine essential oils and carrier oils in a dark glass jar.
- 16 drops frankincense
- 16 drops galbanum
- 16 drops geranium
- 2 drops helichrysum
- 1 ounce tamanu carrier
- 1 ounce rosehip carrier
Apply to scars twice daily for up to 3 weeks at a time.
To Summarize
- Essential oils are good for scars because they possess qualities that aid in:
- reducing inflammation
- minimizing the chances of infection
- supporting a rapid healing process
- maintaining wound hydration
- stimulating healthy skin regeneration
- Essential oils can also help minimize the appearance of existing scars.
- The best essential oils for scars include: carrot seed, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, helichrysum, jasmine, lavender, manuka and patchouli.
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