Pure and natural peppermint essential oil is one of the long-used effective oils for skin health. When inhaled, the vapors of pure peppermint oil combat depression-like symptoms and can elevate mood. High in the compound menthol, peppermint oil is soothing and cooling on contact with skin and has several properties that make it an effective healing oil to promote healthy skin.

Peppermint oil has strong antibacterial properties, analgesic (pain relieving) properties, and it is a vasodilator. Together these attributes come together to make pure peppermint oil medicinally versatile for topical application. Like all essential oils, peppermint oil must be diluted for safe topical application. ‘Neat’—or undiluted—pure essential oil can irritate skin and cause serious discomfort. The topical treatments we’re about to discuss also come with the following warning: don’t apply essential oil mixtures or solutions (no matter how diluted) to broken skin.

After Sun Relief

The cooling and soothing properties of peppermint oil can be harnessed to make a fast-acting after sun relief spray. Intended to cool down overheated and burned skin, this natural remedy provides immediate effect.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel

10 drops Pure Lavender Oil

10 drops Pure Peppermint Oil

1/2 cup Witch Hazel

4 ounce Spray Bottle (or larger)

Combine the ingredients and mix well. Shake well before each application; essential oils don’t mix with water. Avoid spraying into eyes and don’t spray onto broken skin. This formula can be reapplied as needed. This formula is also effective on other forms of skin distress such as shingles, hives, and eczema. The powerful astringent witch hazel dries up sores and damaged skin while cooling peppermint soothes away irritation.

Clear Skin

When combined with a suitably light carrier oil, peppermint oil’s antibacterial qualities can be used to locally treat acne. The oil penetrates skin and clears pores while simultaneously soothing irritated or inflamed skin. This also applies to canker and cold sores. Cold sores are viral infections, and peppermint will combat the spread and development of symptoms. For advanced cases, some experts recommend dabbing neat oil directly onto the affected area.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can be treated with a strong dose of peppermint oil due to the essential oil’s potent antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Scalp Health

Roughly 20 drops of peppermint essential oil for every 8 ounces of unscented natural shampoo will provide an effective and natural anti-dandruff shampoo that maintains scalp and hair health.

Circulation

Peppermint oil used as a circulatory aid will refresh skin and sooth tired or overworked muscles sore from a day full of activity. A solution of 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil per 4 ounces of carrier oil can be applied to sore muscles (but not to broken skin) to increase circulation and relieve minor aches and pains.