Did you know that thyme is scientifically proven to be just as effective, if not better than benzoyl peroxide? I know, it sounds like a miracle but it’s true. This unassuming little garden herb is going to help clear your skin without drying it out or causing acne bacteria growing resistant with continued use. That’s pretty awesome in my book!

Lately I’ve been having a few hormonal breakouts here and there and honestly, I’d like nothing better than to snuff them out and prevent new ones from occurring. As a teen, this would have meant going to the dermatologist and getting a benzoyl peroxide cream to try and combat breakouts. However, this method would only work for a short time before causing problems of its own like really dry flaky skin, redness, uneven skin tone, sensitivity, and stronger more resistant acne causing bacteria.

I have pretty sensitive skin and slathering on a cream known to dry out and irritate it just wasn’t the answer I was looking for. If only I had known about how effective thyme essential oil is against acne all those years ago. I would have saved myself a lot of grief!

Thyme Serum for Acne Free Skin

There are a few ways you can utilize the acne healing benefits of thyme. You can make an infused oil using the thyme in your spice cabinet, soak it in alcohol-free witch hazel, or use the essential oil in a facial oil or serum.

I make use of all of these methods to make the ultimate acne protocol. Making these remedies is cheap, effective, and simple. With acne bacteria practically non-existent on your skin when using these remedies, breakouts will be few and far between and at the very least, greatly controlled.

I hope you give these thyme remedies a try!

Thyme Infused Witch Hazel – Tone and Eradicate Bacteria

To make this effective toner you will need a small jar, dried or fresh thyme, and alcohol-free witch hazel.

Fill the jar ⅓ of the way with dried thyme and then fill the jar to the shoulder with witch hazel.

Cap and allow to macerate (soak) for at least 1 week. I keep mine on a sunny windowsill to speed things up.

Alternatively, you could use the double boiler method or infuse it by placing the thyme and witch hazel into a pyrex measuring cup and simmering it COVERED (you can use some foil) on low in a double boiler for about 15 minutes. Covering the mixture while it's on the heat will keep the witch hazel from evaporating too much.

Allow to cool completely before straining.

Store the strained witch hazel into a small bottle for easy use.

Thyme Infused Facial Oil – Kill Acne Causing Bacteria, Repair, and Moisturize

Making this is really easy but keep in mind that there is a bit of waiting involved unless you use heat.

What you need is a small jar and a facial oil that works well with your skin type. You can find out about the best oils for your unique skin here and a list of comedogenic oils here. Pick the ones that sound compatible with your skin.

Once you’ve got those on hand, grab your dried thyme (fresh thyme will grow mold in your oil because of the water content) and fill your jar ⅓ of the way.

Next, top the thyme with the face oil to the shoulder of the jar. Cap and place in a sunny place like a windowsill.

Wait for 4-6 weeks for the oil to fully infuse.

If you can’t wait that long, place the thyme and oil in a pyrex measuring cup and use it as a double boiler.

Simmer on low heat for up to 1 hour. Be careful not to scorch it! Check on it often.

Once your oil is infused (no matter if you used heat or not), it’s time to strain the mixture. You can use cheese cloth, or a fine mesh sieve. Use a clean utensil to press the oil out of the thyme leaves. If you used heat, wait until the oil has cooled before you do this.

Add the thyme oil to a clean jar until needed and store in a cool dark place.

Thyme Serum for Acne Free Skin - My Recipe

Once you have your infused oil, add 6 drops of thyme essential oil for every ounce of oil you have. If you have a 1oz dropper bottle, that would be 6 drops of Thyme EO. Do not exceed 8 drops (approx. 1.3% dilution) in 1oz of carrier oil as thyme is a hot essential oil and can irritate the skin if you use too much. In my recipe below, I use the 1.3 percent strength as my skin tolerates this serum well. Your skin might be different!

If you have sensitive skin, try this out at half strength first to see how your skin fares.

Thyme Serum Recipe for Acne

• 2oz dropper bottle
• 2oz thyme infused carrier oil
• 16 drops thyme essential oil – Kills acne causing bacteria better than benzoyl peroxide without the side effects.
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil – An effective anti-acne and skin healing essential oil.
• 2 drops lavender essential oil – Soothes redness, heals the skin, and reduces scarring.

Loving Preparation

• Add the essential oils to your dropper bottle first, then fill it to the shoulder with thyme infused carrier oil.
• Cap and roll between your hands to mix.

To Use

• After cleansing the skin, apply some thyme infused witch hazel to a cotton pad and gently wipe the face and other acne prone areas like the chest, back, etc.
• Once dry, apply a few drops of thyme serum to the face, concentrating on problem areas. You can use this serum as a spot treatment on the body as well.
• Apply morning and night and allow the serum to soak into the skin for 5 minutes before applying other products or cosmetics (hopefully acne friendly ones!).

Have you ever made an acne remedy using thyme essential oil before? Let me know in the comments!

For more on thyme, check out these articles:

IS THYME BETTER THAN BENZOYL PEROXIDE?
THE PROPERTIES OF THYME
THYME HEALS- A NATURAL COLD REMEDY IN DISGUISE