A word of caution: “People with oily skin or acne may find that putting oil all over their face is problematic because their skin gets too greasy,” Grossman advises. “I tell those clients that they are better off spot treating.” (She recommends doing so with tea tree or peppermint oil to decrease inflammation.) “Tea tree oil has been shown to be very effective for acne—use it as you would benzoyl peroxide.” Lacey’s proprietary
Oils of Provence contain sage and armoise, which are calming and antiseptic—ideal for her clients with oily skin. But if an oil is too intense for sensitive skin to tolerate, Grossman advises using it in combination with something that will lighten the texture (look for ingredients like chamomile or jojoba). “Sometimes when people use these oils on their skin it can cause breakouts because they are so rich and loaded with fatty acids,” she adds. “[But putting a few drops of essential oil in your moisturizer] is a good way to boost the hydrating properties of the everyday product you’re using.”