If you know anything about myrrh essential oil, you know it has a long history of use in both religious rituals and homeopathic health care. However, these days you're probably more likely to read about using myrrh essential oil for acne on the glossy pages of a beauty magazine than to hear about it as part of a ritual. This essential oil is gaining popularity as part of a beauty routine that can help promote healthy-looking skin. But does using myrrh essential oil for acne live up to the hype?
To understand why myrrh is gaining attention for its potential ability to promote healthy-looking skin, it's important to understand the history behind this essential oil. If you're familiar with Christianity, you already know that myrrh was one of the three gifts presented to Jesus on the day of his birth. It's likely that myrrh was included among these precious gifts due to its use in ancient health care practices and religious rituals.
It is said that myrrh was used in a variety of situations from providing digestive relief, treating coughs and colds, to promoting wound healing. Myrrh oil was also used to embalm bodies and was burned in temples as part of religious ceremonies.
Today, we understand a little more about why myrrh can offer so many potential health benefits. A study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology found that myrrh has antioxidative properties that may be able to protect and heal the body from certain ailments. It's likely that this occurs because myrrh is high in two compounds called terpenoids and sesquiterpenes, which may help support the immune system and help the body fight illnesses.
Some beauty magazines and websites have latched onto this information to back up the claim that it's possible to use myrrh essential oil for acne. While there isn't a lot of medical evidence to back up this claim, it's true that historically myrrh has been used to promote skin healing by stopping bleeding and cleansing wounds.
Natural Alternatives to Myrrh Essential Oil for Acne
While there isn't a lot of scientific proof that myrrh oil fights acne, that hasn't stopped people from using it as part of a natural beauty regimen. If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, here are a two ways you can use myrrh essential oil as part of your skincare routine at home:- Make a skincare tonic. According to Bustle, by adding 20 drops of myrrh essential oil to about ¼ cup of water, you can create an acne tonic that may ease breakouts. Simply apply the tonic to your skin with a cotton ball and give it some time to provide relief.
- Try a beauty cream. If you have dry skin, it may be possible to get some relief through a beauty cream that contains myrrh essential oil. While you can find these products on the shelf at a natural beauty store or online shop, try making your own by combining the following: ½ cup whipped coconut oil, ¼ teaspoon vitamin E oil, 5 drops of frankincense oil, and 3 drops of myrrh oil. Use the cream to moisturize as needed.
