The Best Essential Oils for Teen Skin

When it comes to teen skincare, we all know that packaging and scent has a huge place in marketing. How a product smells can be a big part of why a tween or teen may make certain skin care choices, and is one of the most important things to consider when looking at ingredient labels. Artificial Fragrance is the one thing that all dermatologists can agree on when it comes to skincare ingredients that tweens and teens should avoid. Why? The word “Fragrance” on a label can include hundreds of undisclosed chemicals that are known to trigger asthma, allergies, teen skin sensitivities and some have even been linked to hormone disruption.

This is where essential oils come in as a safer alternative. While both are used to add pleasant smells to products, they are very different in origin, composition, and impact.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtained through methods like steam distillation or cold pressing. They are drawn directly from nature, sourced from things such as leaves, flowers, bark, roots, or other parts of a plant and retain the natural aroma and beneficial properties of that plant.

Some common essential oils that you may notice in teen skincare include Lavender Oil, Orange Oil and Sandalwood Seed Oil. Essential oils are 100% Natural and hold potential therapeutic benefits when formulated in safe doses. They also provide transparency on labels - often listed by their botanical name - what you see is what you get when it comes to essential oils.

What Is Artificial Fragrance?

Artificial fragrances (aka synthetic fragrances) are lab-created scents. These may be inspired by natural aromas but are produced using chemical ingredients—sometimes including petrochemicals and phthalates. You will find artificial fragrance in most perfumes, body sprays, deodorant sprays and air fresheners.

The reason why synthetic fragrance is so risky, is because of the lack of transparency required when it comes to labelling. Thanks to trade secret protection, “fragrance” could literally be made up of anything.

The Best Essential Oils for Teen Skin

Orange Oil

Sweet Orange Oil (aka Citrus Aurantium Dulcis or Citrus Sinensis) is popular in cleansers and moisturisers as it provides a refreshing, uplifting scent that delivers a pleasant experience as you apply to your skin. Orange Oil is packed with Vitamin C that delivers antioxidant repair and protection from environmental stress and sun damage. It also contains natural antibacterial properties that may support teen acne prone skin by reducing bacteria and inflammation while also supporting post-acne wound healing. Orange Oil also offers skin brightening and toning benefits that may reduce the appearance of healing spots and pigmentation.

Find this essential oil in: SKINtween’s Balance & Glow Duo

 

Bergamot Fruit Oil

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia - Commonly known as Bergamot Fruit Oil, is known for its distinct scent and skin benefits. Widely used in teen skincare formulations, it offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to support oily teen skin. Its clarifying properties make it effective in balancing oil production, soothing irritation, and promoting a clearer, healthier-looking complexion. Hello clear teen skin!

Lavender

One of the most well-known calming essential oils, Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) was used in ancient times as a perfume. This fragrant flower is well-loved for its ability to naturally calm our mind and body, but its benefits can also extend to the skin. When applied topically, lavender has been shown to reduce inflammation and speed up wound-healing. Containing an abundance of antioxidants, lavender oil also protects against environmental damage.

Sandalwood Seed Oil

One of our favourite essential oils at SKINtween, this widely used teen skincare ingredient is known for its hydrating, soothing and protective benefits without contributing to excess oil. Rich in Omega Essential Fatty Acids, it supports all teen skin types by strengthening and protecting delicate tween and teen skin barriers.

Find this essential oil in: SKINtween’s Team Sensitive Skincare Bundle

 

Lime Oil (Citrus Aurantifolia)

Lime Oil not only smells incredibly refreshing and uplifting, it’s is also known for balancing oily and congested skin. Particularly beneficial for acne-prone and combination skin types, this natural essential oil is rich in antioxidants including vitamin C, and holds anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits that are great for teen skin experiencing a blemish prone complexion.

 

Geranium Oil (Pelargonium Graveolens)

Geranium essential oil is used widely in teen natural skincare, offering numerous benefits including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant support. It is known to support teen acne control and may also reduce the appearance of post acne scarring while helping to balance oily teen skin.

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

From teen acne to skin soothing, Thyme has the potential to support all teen skin types. Known to naturally fight acne-causing bacteria on the skin while reducing inflammation, Thyme offers natural support to teens battling breakouts. This anti-inflammatory support also has the potential to soothe skin irritation and assist with post acne healing.

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree oil is a well-known teen acne solution thanks to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, however it is important to use this essential oil with caution as it is extremely potent and can cause irritation in high doses. We suggest using as a spot treatment or ensure it is low on the ingredients list if you are using teen skincare products that contain Tea Tree Oil. And be sure to keep it away from the delicate eye area!

 

Precautions when using Essential Oils for Tween & Teen Skin

Although a more transparent and safer option than synthetic or artificial fragrance, it’s important to use essential oils with caution - particularly when it comes to sensitive tween skin. The biggest danger with essential oils comes when people begin playing around with essential oils at home - experimenting with their own skincare formulations. When using essential oils on the skin they should always be diluted with a carrier oil (such as jojoba oil) and need to be measured by weight, not drops! When it comes to essential oils in teen skincare we suggest the following:

• Leave teen skincare formulations to the experts
• Never apply essential oils directly to the skin without diluting
• Always patch test skincare that contains essential oils
• If you have a tween or teen with sensitive skin we recommend avoiding all fragrance, and limiting essential oil heavy formulations where possible.

The Best Fragrance Free Tween and Teen Skincare

While no SKINtween products contain artificial fragrance, we have also carefully selected some fragrance AND essential oil free skincare options to support teens with sensitive skin. Here are our top picks:

SKINtween’s Everyday Essentials Duo

Biobod Calming Balance Cleanse Bar

Frank Body Everyday Hydrating Face Wash

Frank Body Everyday Hydrating Gel Moisturiser

Questions about Fragrance in Teen Skincare?

We get it - this skincare ingredient stuff can be confusing. That's why we're here! If you have ANY questions about ingredients or product recommendations please reach out to us at hello@skintween.com