Elina was recently interviewed for BUSTLE about the best essential oils for pimples. You can read the featured article, The 5 Best Essential Oils for Pimples here.

"esthetician Elina Fedotova told Bustle that she cautions against applying essential oils to the skin without mixing them with a carrier oil. 'You should never apply any essential oils straight without diluting,' she says, though she cites tea tree oil as the one exception."

Q. Are there any types of essential oils you would recommend using topically for pimple prevention?
A. Every single Essential oil has anti bacterial properties more or less. From that perspective they could all work as a prevention for pimples. Practically all essential oils can not be applied directly on the skin because they can burn the skin. They have to be diluted in another oil called a carrier oil. Sometimes the carrier oil could be heavy, like olive oil grapeseed oil and clog the pores. That is why I prefer for pimple prevention to use only an oil which does not require any dilution. It is tea tree oil. It is the only oil that you can apply straight on the skin. It is very light and has fabulous anti bacterial and anti viral properties. I also suggest to apply it under your nose to kill pathogens when are you surrounded by people who are ill to prevent contamination because it can help combat bacteria inside your noise while you breathe in.

Q. Would you recommend any particular types of essential oils to help heal popped or scabbed pimples, or to reduce scarring?
A. If someone extracted the pimple you can sanitize the area using tea tree oil. If you would like to reduce harsh discolorations you need to use essential oils which significantly improve micro circulation and bring more blood supply to the injured skin. Healthy skin cells will be regenerated more efficiently and the scar will go away faster. For that reason the best oils are oils that have a warming effect like ginger, cinnamon, clove. You need to remember you can apply it directly on the skin and they need to be diluted in a light base oil like almond or you can add them into the serum or your favorite moisturizer. Do not exceed 2% (98 drops carrier oil and 2 drops pure essential oil.) Very often essential oils could be sold already pre diluted and is mixed with the carrier oil so you just need to see the composition of the product.

Q. Are there any essential oils you would NOT recommend applying to a pimple, or to your face in general?
A. You should never apply any essential oils straight without diluting, except tea tree. If we are talking about essential oils that have already been diluted it is hard to say because practically people can be allergic to any substance. Different people could have different sensitivities. Sometimes people are sensitive to citrus oils and other times people could be sensitive to cinnamon and sometimes to bergamot. But you can not really say that you should not use those oils because they may benefit other people a lot. If you have never used essential oils, I suggest to properly dilute it and then apply it first on your forearm and wait for 48 hours. If you feel find at 48 hours then you most likely will feel fine to apply it on your face.

Q. Any other thoughts about essential oils and pimples?
A. Many people do not understand the difference between artificial fragrances and aromas that come from pure essential oils. Essential oils absolute contains the highest concentration of botanical properties. Most of them have very powerful anti septic healing and rejuvenating properties. Their artificial fragrances which smell the same but they are not delivering any therapeutic property effects on your body. It can also cause adverse reaction and is not bio degradable when you wash it off. So please remember the difference, read the label, and choose the products with real essential oil not the artificial fragrance.