Eucalyptus Oil in Skin Care: Benefits, Uses, and Safety Tips

Eucalyptus Oil in Skin Care

Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus Globulus) is a popular essential oil in many fragrances and skin care products.

It is toxic when ingested orally, but is considered non-toxic (clean) in skin care.

Eucalyptus oil is known for its profound anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hydrating, and antimicrobial abilities.

Read below to get all the facts on eucalyptus oil, and find out why it is not considered the best for every skin type.

To find out if eucalyptus oil is a good fit for your custom skin care regimen, take our quiz and shop by your Baumann Skin Type!

What kind of oil is eucalyptus oil?

Eucalyptus oil is considered a plant based essential oil.

Eucalyptus oil does not contain any fatty acids or other lipids, so it is not a true oil.

The oil is thin, spreadable, and contains many antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even moisturizing properties.

Because it is thin and does not contain fatty acids, it is not considered a dry oil or a carrier oil.

What are the active compounds?

The primary active compound in eucalyptus oil is the monoterpene a-pinene, a potent anti-inflammatory compound. (1)

The essential oil also has a notable presence of eucalyptol (8-cinelol), followed by various other terpenes, aldehydes, and ketones all with their own properties.

Aldehydes and ketones are generally antimicrobial compounds, just as they are in eucalyptus oil.

There are dozens of compounds present and active in eucalyptus oil; one study measured 63 distinct active chemical compounds. (3)

Eucalyptus oil is considered to have an extremely low content of fatty acids or other lipids, meaning it is not a true oil in a technical sense.

Benefits of eucalyptus oil

Benefits

Eucalyptus oil has long been used in skin care for its potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. (1,3,4)

It is often considered among the most potent natural antimicrobial ingredients in skin care.

Topical application assists in the production of ceramides on the skin which moisturize the skin and assist in reducing TEWL.

The antioxidants present in the oil make it a compelling candidate for anti-aging products and regimens.

It is most commonly found in hygienic products and contributes to shelf stability by preventing oxidation and microbial growth.

Here are some of my favorite skin care products with eucalyptus:

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Viviscal Professional Hair Conditioner 250 ml Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Conditioner – Skin Type Solutions

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Viviscal Professional Shampoo 250 ml Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Shampoo – Skin Type Solutions

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Viviscal Professional Scalp Treatment Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Elixir – Skin Type Solutions

Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Elixir

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Side-effects

There are a few notable dangers and side-effects associated with eucalyptus oil that should be considered before applying to your skin.

If you have rosacea, eucalyptus oil is considered one of the paramount oils to avoid.

Many people find eucalyptus oil irritating to the skin, it commonly results in stinging on applied areas.

It is considered extremely toxic when consumed orally, so please do not taste test your eucalyptus products.

Fortunately, toxicity associated with eucalyptus consumption only appears to have temporary effects in humans. (2)

It is common to have an allergy to eucalyptus oil. (8)

Is it safe?

Eucalyptus oil is considered safe and non-toxic when used in topical applications, like in skin care products. (4)

EWG rating is “4-6 depending on usage” which means it is not considered a particularly safe ingredient in certain situations.

The main reason for this low score is because it is toxic when ingested orally and has a fairly high chance of causing allergies.

If you are not allergic to eucalyptus and do not plan on eating it, it can be safe for use as a part of your skin care routine.

Is eucalyptus oil safe?

Uses

Because eucalyptus contains so many antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, it is commonly found in hygiene related skin care products such as:

Acne cleansers

Conditioners

Fragrances

Hair growth products

Shampoos

For hair

The moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of eucalyptus oil make it a popular and good choice for hair care.

Studies have found compelling evidence that eucalyptus oil is good at hydrating and repairing the scalp and hair follicles. (7)

You can find eucalyptus oil in products designed to stimulate hair growth and thickening such as Viviscal’s thin to thick elixir.

When used alongside ingredients with other benefits to hair like UV protection or barrier repair function, eucalyptus oil is considered very good for many types of hair and scalps.

slide 5 to 7 of 3

Viviscal Professional Hair Conditioner 250 ml Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Conditioner – Skin Type Solutions

Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Conditioner

₫

693,000

See Product

Viviscal Professional Scalp Treatment Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Elixir – Skin Type Solutions

Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Elixir

₫

970,000

See Product

Viviscal Professional Shampoo 250 ml Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Shampoo – Skin Type Solutions

Viviscal Professional Thin to Thick Shampoo

₫

693,000

See Product

For acne

Eucalyptus oil contains potent antimicrobial components which make it useful in treatments of acne. (6)

Acne is caused by specific bacteria building up in clogged pores on the skin, so eliminating that bacteria is key to preventing acne.

In addition, eucalyptus oil is non-comedogenic, which means it does not itself clog pores or add oil to the face.

For dry skin

Eucalyptus oil might be good for the treatment of specific dry skin concerns, but it is probably not the best for extremely dry skin types as there are other oils with a higher amount of fatty acids that are more hydrating to the skin than this oil.

That being said, other studies have stated that eucalyptus extract can increase ceramides in human skin and improve the water holding capacity of the outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum). (5)

Whether or not eucalyptus oil is right to include in your dry skin care routine depends on the severity of your skin’s dryness and your particular skin concerns.

Take our skin type quiz to see if eucalyptus products are the best choice for you!

Take the Quiz

For sensitive skin

Unless you have rosacea, skin stinging, or an allergy to this ingredient, it can be used in sensitive skin types.

It is a good anti-inflammatory ingredient, rich in soothing compounds. (4)

For hyperpigmentation

Eucalyptus has tyrosinase inhibiting properties, meaning it can be used in the treatment of various kinds of hyperpigmentation. (4)

The active compounds in eucalyptus oil were found to directly interfere with melanin production in skin, which means it could be a good ingredient in products designed for melasma or PIH.

The best treatments for dark spots include multiple active ingredients, so eucalyptus oil is most effective as a skin lightener in combination with others like:

Cysteamine

Ferulic acid

Licorice extract

Resorcinol

Eucalyptus oil for wrinkles

For wrinkles

Eucalyptus oils have expressed anti-aging effects in multiple studies (4) and are effective at eliminating free radicals on the skin.

Anti-aging treatments work by binding and removing oxidized radical ions from the skin which can cause genetic damage and wrinkles.

There are many kinds of anti-aging ingredients, and eucalyptus oil can be used alongside many of them.

Anti-aging regimens take a long time and have limited effects, so don’t expect applying eucalyptus oil daily to remove 15 years in two weeks.

Anti-aging regimens can take a long time to work, so the best way to treat wrinkles is to get ahead of them with preventative treatments.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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