Essential oils and seborrheic dermatitis: are they effective?

How do essential oils work on our skin?

Certain essential oils may help fight seborrheic dermatitis thanks to their anti-fungal, hydrating and soothing properties.

Nevertheless, essential oils should be used with caution. They are certainly natural, but this does not mean that they are harmless, quite the contrary. Skin suffering from seborrheic dermatitis is fragile, which means that not just any product should be applied to it!

Can I apply essential oils to my skin in the event of seborrheic dermatitis?

Some safety precautions must be taken before using essential oils:

• First of all, essential oils should not be administered to young children or pregnant women.
• They are to be applied locally, pure or diluted in a vegetable oil.
• In the event of first-time use, it may be useful to perform a test at the bend of the elbow to check for the absence of allergies.
• They must not be applied on mucous membranes, ears, eyes, etc.
• Following their application, exposure to the sun is not recommended, as there is a risk of solar erythema or even an allergic skin reaction.
• Finally, not all essential oils are beneficial in cases of seborrheic dermatitis. Each oil has its own characteristics.

As you will have understood, essential oils should not be used at random, especially on skin damaged by seborrheic dermatitis. Please feel free to ask your physician or pharmacist for advice.