How To Use Camphor Oil For Treating Acne

Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma  • 

Did you know camphor is one of the main ingredients in most acne and zit creams? This crystalline substance is extracted from the barks of the camphor tree. It offers a myriad of benefits for skin health, including the prevention of acne. And lucky for us, Camphor oil for acne is one effective home remedy.

The camphor tree, which is native to China, Japan, Madagascar, and Vietnam, is non-deciduous with red leaves that turn into a dark green color on ripening. The leaves and stems of this tree are scorched using steam distillation to extract 3 types of camphor oil, such as yellow, white and brown. Out of these, only white camphor oil is used for medicinal purposes. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of camphor oil for your skin and how you can include it in your skin care routine.

Is Camphor Oil Good For Acne?

Yes! Camphor is largely used in acne treatments to help clear out breakouts and prevent them. Here’s how it helps:

  • Camphor oil is rich in antioxidants which help prevent skin damage. The antioxidant activity also helps repair damaged skin cells, bringing your skin back to life.
  • The oil helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and redness on your skin. This helps calm breakouts.
  • Camphor oil is also a great astringent which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin types. It helps tighten your pores which, in turn, prevents pore-clogging.
  • It helps balance the oil production in your skin. This helps control acne in oily skin types and keeps breakouts at bay.

How To Use Camphor Oil For Acne

Here we mention some of the best ways to use camphor for acne treatment. Check out what are they and how.

1. Coconut Oil And Camphor Oil For Acne

Camphor Oil For Acne - Coconut Oil And Camphor
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Image: IStock
You Will Need
  • 1 cup Coconut Oil
  • 1 tsp Camphor Oil
  • Jar/Bottle for storage
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

Overnight

Method
  1. In an air-tight jar/bottle mix the camphor and coconut oil.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat it dry.
  3. Take about a teaspoon of the oil blend and massage it into the problem areas on your skin.
  4. Leave it in overnight.
  5. In the morning, wash off the oil with lukewarm water and a cleanser.
How Often?

Every day.

Why This Works

Coconut oil has excellent antibacterial and penetrative properties. In combination with camphor oil, it penetrates your skin to unclog pores and dissolve dirt. This helps clear acne.

2. Camphor Oil Steam Massage

Coconut Oil For Acne - Camphor Oil Steam Massage
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Image: IStock
You Will Need
  • A pot of Boiling Water for Steam
  • A few drops of Camphor Oil
  • Towel
Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

25 minutes

Method
  1. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat it dry.
  2. Boil some water in a pot with a lid for steaming.
  3. Once the water has boiled, place it on a table and lean over it with a towel over your head.
  4. Remove the lid and steam your face for about 20 minutes.
  5. After steaming your face, massage the camphor oil into your skin, concentrating on all the problem areas.
How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

Steaming helps open up your pores which will help the castor oil penetrate and purify your skin. Following this method regularly will help clear out your acne in a couple of weeks.

3. Camphor Oil With Other Oils

Coconut Oil For Acne - Camphor Oil With Other Oils
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Image: IStock
You Will Need
  • 1/2 cup Castor Oil
  • 1/2 cup Almond Oil
  • 1 tsp Camphor Oil
  • Jar/Bottle for Storage
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

Overnight

Method
  1. In an air-tight jar/bottle mix the castor, almond, and camphor oil.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat it dry.
  3. Take about a teaspoon of the oil blend and massage it into the problem areas on your skin.
  4. Leave it in overnight.
  5. In the morning, wash off the oil with lukewarm water and a cleanser.
How Often?

Every Day.

Why This Works

Castor oil is excellent for drawing out dirt and bacteria while moisturizing your skin. It boosts the production of collagen, helping heal scars. It also helps soothe the existing acne. In combination with camphor and almond oil, it makes an excellent remedy for acne.

[ Read: Best Essential Oils For Your Skin ]

4. Camphor Oil, Rose Water, And Gram Flour

Coconut Oil For Acne - Camphor Oil, Rose Water And Gram Flour
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Image: IStock
You Will Need
  • 1/2 tsp Camphor Oil
  • 2 tsp Rose Water
  • 1 tbsp Gram Flour
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. Start applying this paste onto the affected areas of your skin.
  4. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
  5. After the 15 minutes have passed, rinse the mixture off your skin.
  6. Pat dry.
How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

All these ingredients have a cooling effect on your skin which helps calm aggravation and inflammation. Using this mask on a regular basis helps tighten your pores, control oil production, and prevent and heal breakouts.

5. Camphor Oil And Fuller’s Earth Mask

Coconut Oil For Acne - Camphor-Oil-And-Fuller’s-Earth-Mask
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Image: Instagram
You Will Need
  • 2 tbsp Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Rose Water
  • 1/2 tsp Camphor Oil
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

15-20 minutes

Method
  1. Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. Start applying this paste onto your face as you would a face mask.
  4. Let it sit for about 15 minutes until the mask dries.
  5. After the 15 minutes have passed, rinse the mixture off your skin.
  6. Pat dry.
How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Fuller’s earth, or multani mitti, has excellent acne-clearing properties. It helps draw out the excess oil, bacteria, and impurities from your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

Things To Keep In Mind Before Using Camphor Oil

  1. Do not apply camphor oil on to broken skin as this may lead to poisoning.
  2. Do not ingest camphor/camphor oil.
  3. It is unknown whether camphor oil is safe to use during breastfeeding or pregnancy.
  4. Keep camphor oil away from children.
  5. Do not use undiluted camphor oil on your face if you have asthma.

Using camphor oil alone cannot treat acne. You must also ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet that caters to all of your nutritional needs. Dealing with acne is never easy. Especially if you’re someone who can’t slack on your skin care routine without avoiding a breakout. But these simple camphor oil remedies for acne can help lighten the load.

Have you ever used camphor oil for acne treatment or in your skin care routine? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

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