Review Article

Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases

Table 8

Essential oils against dermatophytes and other yeasts.

Essential Species Main Reference

Apium nodiflorum (celery), aerial parts, ItalyMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO0.16 μL/mL Dillapiole (70.80%), limonene (14.40%) [230]
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)2% DMSO0.04 μL/mL
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)0.16 μL/mL
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)0.08 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)0.16 μL/mL
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)0.32 μL/mL

Apium nodiflorum (celery), aerial parts, PortugalMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO0.08 μL/mLMyristicin (29.10%), dillapiole (22.50%), limonene (16.70%) [230]
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)0.16 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)0.04 μL/mL
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)2% DMSO0.08 μL/mL
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)2% DMSO0.16 μL/mL
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)0.32 μL/mL

Cedrus atlantica (cedar wood)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 802.0 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)1.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.25 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)0.50 mg/mL

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon)ADMTrichophyton spp. (nail isolate)DMSO0.31 μL/mLNCR [232]
Trichophyton spp. (scalp isolate)0.16 μL/mL
Microsporum spp.

Citrus bergamia (bergamot)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 804.00 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)2.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)1.00 mg/mL
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)2.00 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.50 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)1.00 mg/mL
T. mentagrophytes (20 isolates)Tween 800.16–1.30% v/vNCR [265]
T. rubrum (18 isolates)0.16–0.63% v/v
T. interdigitale (15 isolates)0.31–1.30% v/v
T. tonsurans (2 isolates)2.50% v/v
M. canis (24 isolates)0.16–0.63% v/v
M. gypseum (1 isolate)2.50% v/v
E. floccosum (12 isolates)0.16–0.31% v/v

Citrus limon (lemon)MICM. canis (11 clinical isolates)Prunus dulcis (sweet almond oil)4.60–7.50%Limonene (59.20%), β-pinene (13.70%), -terpinene (10.80%)[266]
ADMTrichophyton spp. (nail isolate)DMSO2.50 μL/mLNCR [232]
Trichophyton spp. (scalp isolate)
Microsporum spp.1.25 μL/mL

Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 800.25 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)<0.13 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)
ADMT. mentagrophytes (SP-12)Sodium taurocholate0.25 μg/mLCitral (72.80%)[125, 126]

Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa)ADMT. mentagrophytes (SP-12)Sodium taurocholate1.50 μg/mLGeraniol (61.60%)[125, 126]

Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella)MIC90T. rubrum (15 LM strains), T. rubrum strain (ATCC 1683)Tween 80312.00 μg/mLNCR[84]

Daucus carota (carrot seed)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate FF9)2% DSMO0.32–0.64 μL/mLSabinene (28.30–33.80%), limonene (6.50–11.80%), elemicin (6.20–26.00%) [241]
T. mentagrophytes (clinical isolate FF7)0.16–0.64 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1)2% DSMO0.32–0.64 μL/mL
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)
M. gypseum (CECT 2905)
E. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)DMSO1.25 μL/mL (v/v)-Pinene (37.90%), geranyl acetate (15.00%) [242]
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)
T. rubrum CECT 2794
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)
E. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)DMSO0.64 μL/mL (v/v)Geranyl acetate (65.00%)
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)
T. rubrum CECT 2794
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)
E. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)DMSO0.16–0.32 μL/mL (v/v)-Bisabolene (17.60%), carotol (25.10%), 11αH-himachal-4-en-1-ol (21.60%)
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)DMSO0.32 μL/mL (v/v)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)
T. rubrum CECT 2794
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)
E. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)DMSO0.64 μL/mL (v/v)-Bisabolene (51.00%), ()-methyl isoeugenol (10.00%)
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)
T. rubrum CECT 2794
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)

Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum eucalyptus)ADMTrichophyton spp. (nail isolate)DMSO5.00 μL/mLNCR [232]
Trichophyton spp. (scalp isolate)2.50 μL/mL
Microsporum spp.5.00 μL/mL

Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus)ADMT. mentagrophytes (SP-12)Sodium taurocholate0.25 μg/mLCineole (23.20%)[125, 126]
MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 800.25 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)<0.13 mg/mL
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)0.25 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)<0.13 mg/mL
MICM. canis (ATCC 32903)Tween 80: DMSO500.00 μg/mL1,8-Cineole (72.20%) [267]
M. gypseum (ATCC 14683)1000.00 μg/mL
T. mentagrophytes (ATCC 9533)250.00 μg/mL
T. mentagrophytes (ATCC 11480)<7.80 μg/mL
T. mentagrophytes (ATCC 11481)125.00 μg/mL
T. rubrum (CCT 5507)62.50 μg/mL

Illicium verum (star anise)MICM. canis (11 clinical isolates)Prunus dulcis (sweet almond oil)1.00–5.00%-anethole (93.70%)[266]

Juniperi aetheroleum (juniper)MAC80M. gypseum (MFBF)n.m.2.00% v/v-Pinene (29.17%),
-pinene (17.84%),
sabinene (13.55%)
[135]
T. mentagrophytes (MFBF)1.00% v/v
T. rubrum (MFBF)0.39% v/v

Juniperus communis (juniper)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 800.50 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)4.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)1.00 mg/mL
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)2.00 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.50 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)2.00 mg/mL

Juniperus communis ssp. alpina (juniper), berriesMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO1.25 μL/mL-Pinene (77.40%) [243]
T. rubrum (clinical strain FF5)
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)
M. gypseum (clinical strain FF3)

Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (juniper) MACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9) 2% DMSO0.64 μL/mLSabinene (26.20%), -pinene (12.90%), limonene (10.40%) [244]
T. rubrum (clinical strain FF5)0.32 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)0.64 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)0.32 μL/mL
M. gypseum (clinical strain FF3)0.64 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)1.25 μL/mL
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)2.5 μL/mL

Juniperus turbinata (juniper), berriesMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO0.64 μL/mL-Pinene (66.70%) [243]
T. rubrum (clinical strain FF5)1.25 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)0.32 μL/mL
M. gypseum (clinical strain FF3)1.25 μL/mL
Juniperus turbinata (juniper), leafMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO0.64 μL/mL-Pinene (48.20%), -phellandrene (23.10%)
T. rubrum (clinical strain FF5)0.64–1.25 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)1.25 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)0.64–1.25 μL/mL
M. gypseum (clinical strain FF3)1.25 μL/mL
Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus (cade), leafMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO0.08–0.16 μL/mL-Pinene (65.50%)
T. rubrum (clinical strain FF5)0.08 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)0.16 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)0.08 μL/mL
M. gypseum (clinical strain FF3)0.16 μL/mL
Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus (cade), berriesMACE. floccosum (clinical strain FF9)2% DMSO0.32 μL/mL-Pinene (54.70%), myrcene (17.80%), germacrene D (10.30%)
T. rubrum (clinical strain FF5)
T. mentagrophytes (clinical strain FF7)
M. canis (clinical strain FF1)
M. gypseum (clinical strain FF3)

Kunzea ericoides (Kānuka)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate)Tween 801.10% v/v-Pinene (61.60%) [137]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate)

Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 800.50 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)2.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)0.50 mg/mL
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)2.00 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.25 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)1.00 mg/mL

Lavandula pedunculata (French lavender)MACT. mentagrophytes (clinical strains isolated FF7)2% DMSO0.64–1.25 μL/mL1,8-Cineole (2.40–55.50%), fenchone (1.30–59.70%), camphor (3.60–48.00%) [245]
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)0.32–1.25 μL/mL
E. floccosum (clinical strains isolated FF9)0.32–0.64 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical strains isolated FF1)0.32–1.25 μL/mL
M. gypseum (CECT 2905)0.64–2.50 μL/mL

Lavandula stoechas (Spanish lavender) MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate FF9) 2% DMSO0.32 μL/mL Fenchone (37.00%), camphor (27.30%) [246]
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)0.64 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes (clinical isolate FF7)
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1)
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)

Lavandula viridis (yellow lavender) MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate FF9) 2% DMSO0.32–0.64 μg/mL1,8-Cineole (34.50% and 42.20%), camphor (13.40%) [247]
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)0.32 μg/mL
T. mentagrophytes (clinical isolate FF7)0.32–0.64 μg/mL
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1)0.32 μg/mL
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)0.64 μg/mL
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)0.32 μg/mL

Leptospermum scoparium (manuka)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate)Tween 800.40% v/v(−)-()-Calamenene (14.50%), leptospermone (17.60%) [137]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate)0.30% v/v

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree)MICM. furfur (10 clinical isolates)Tween 800.03–0.12% v/vNCR [268]
M. sympodialis (10 clinical isolates)(0.16 × 10−1)–0.12% v/v
E. floccosum(0.08 × 10−1)–0.03% v/v
M. canis(0.04 × 10−1)–0.03% v/v
M. gypseum(0.16 × 10−1)–0.03% v/v
T. interdigitale(0.08 × 10−1)–0.03% v/v
T. mentagrophytes(0.08 × 10−1)–0.06% v/v
T. rubrum(0.08 × 10−1)–0.03% v/v
T. tonsurans(0.04 × 10−1)–(0.16 × 10−1)% v/v
T. erinacei (KCCM 60411)tween 800.50 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)1.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)2.00 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)8.00 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)1.00 mg/mL
MACMadurella mycetomatis (34 clinical isolates)DMSO(0.08 × 10−1)–0.25% v/vNCR[108]
E. floccosum (clinical isolate)Tween 800.70% v/v-Terpinene (11.40%), -terpinene (22.50%), terpinen-4-ol (35.20%) [137]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate)0.60% v/v

Melaleuca cajuputi (cajuput)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate)Tween 800.60% v/v1,8-Cineole (55.50%) [137]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate)

Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate)Tween 800.60% v/v1,8-Cineole (61.20%) [137]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate)

Mentha piperita (peppermint)ADMT. mentagrophytes (SP-12)Sodium taurocholate3.00 μg/mLMenthol (36.40%)[125, 126]
MICDermatophytes clinical isolates (M. canis, E. floccosum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans)Tween 801.00–2.50 μL/mLMenthol (37.40%), menthyl acetate (17.40%), menthone (12.70%)[91]

Mentha spicata (spearmint)MICDermatophytes clinical isolates (M. canis, E. floccosum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans)Tween 800.075–2.25 μL/mLCarvone (49.50%), menthone (21.90%)[91]
MIC90M. furfur (clinical isolate)1% DMSO125.00 μg/mLNCR[269]

Myrtus nivellei (Sahara myrtle)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate FF9)2% DMSO0.64 μL/mL1,8-Cineole (37.50%), limonene (25.00%) [251]
T. mentagrophytes (clinical isolate FF7)1.25 μL/mL
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1)0.64 μL/mL
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)1.25 μL/mL
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)0.64 μL/mL
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)1.25 μL/mL
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)

Ocimum basilicum (basil) ADMT. mentagrophytesn.m.8.30 μg/μLEstragole (45.80%), linalool (24.20%) [253]
T. tonsurans8.00 μg/μL
T. rubrum8.30 μg/μL
E. floccosum15.00 μg/μL
M. canis15.20 μg/μL

Ocimum gratissimum (African basil)ADMM. gypseum (5 clinical isolates)Tween 80 + DMSO250.00 μg/mLNCR [270]
T. rubrum (10 clinical isolates)250.00 μg/mL
T. mentagrophytes (10 clinical isolates)250.00 μg/mL
M. canis (5 clinical isolates)500.00 μg/mL

Origanum vulgare (oregano) ADMT. mentagrophytesn.m.1.00 μg/μLCarvacrol (61.30%), thymol (13.90%) [253]
T. tonsurans
T. rubrum1.20 μg/μL
E. floccosum2.00 μg/μL
M. canis
M. canis (11 clinical isolates)Prunus dulcis (sweet almond oil)0.03–0.05%-Cymene (14.30%), -terpinene (11.20%), thymol (45.00%)[266]

Pelargonium graveolens (geranium)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 800.50 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.25 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)0.50 mg/mL

Pimpinella anisum (anise fruits)MAC80T. rubrumn.m.0.20% v/vAnethole, anisaldehyde, linalool [256]
T. mentagrophytes0.78% v/v
M. canis0.10% v/v
M. gypseum0.20% v/v

Pogostemon patchouli (patchouli)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 808.00 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)>32.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)2.00 mg/mL
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.50 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)8.00 mg/mL

Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 804.00 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)8.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)4.00 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)0.50 mg/mL
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)8.00 mg/mL
T. rubrumn.m.1.38 mg/mLNCR [171]
M. gypseum2.75 mg/mL
M. canis (11 clinical isolates)Prunus dulcis (sweet almond oil)2.34–7.50%1,8-Cineole (27.50%), -pinene (23.40%)[266]
MIC90M. furfur (clinical isolate)1% DMSO260.00 μg/mLNCR[269]

Syzygium aromaticum (clove)MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate FF9)DMSO0.16 μg/mLEugenol (85.30%) [258]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate FF5)
T. mentagrophytes0.100 μg/mL
(clinical isolate FF7)
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1)0.08–0.16 μg/mL
M. gypseum0.16 μg/mL
(clinical isolate FF3)

Thymus herba-barona (thyme) MACE. floccosum (clinical isolate FF9) 2% DMSO 0.16 μL/mL Carvacrol (54.00%), thymol (30.20%) [246]
T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (CECT 2958)
T. mentagrophytes (clinical isolate FF7)
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1)
T. rubrum (CECT 2794)
T. verrucosum (CECT 2992)
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)

Thymus magnus (thyme)MICT. rubrum (ATCC 6345)Ethanol + Tween 800.09 μg/mLThymol (39.80%)[260]

Thymus quinquecostatus (thyme)MICT. rubrum (ATCC 6345)Ethanol + Tween 800.04 μg/mLThymol (41.70%), -terpinene (16.00%), -cymene (13.00%)[260]

Thymus schimperi (thyme)ADMTrichophyton spp. (nail isolate)DMSO0.31 μL/mLNCR [232]
Trichophyton spp. (scalp isolate)0.08 μL/mL
Microsporum spp.

Thymus serpyllum (thyme)MICM. canis (11 clinical isolates)Prunus dulcis (sweet almond oil)0.025–0.10%Carvacrol (72.00%)[266]

Thymus tosevii (thyme)MICDermatophytes clinical isolates (M. canis, E. floccosum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans)Tween 80(0.25–0.75) × 10−1 μL/mLGeranyl acetate (17.90%), -terpinyl acetate (12.30%), carvacrol (12.80%), thymol (10.40%), cis-myrtanol (11.20%)[91]

Thymus vulgaris (thyme) MICT. erinacei (KCCM 60411)Tween 800.50 mg/mLNCR [264]
T. mentagrophytes (KCCM 11950)1.00 mg/mL
T. rubrum (ATCC 6345)
T. schoenleinii (KCCM 60477)0.50 mg/mL
T. soudanense (KCCM 60448)
T. tonsurans (KCCM 11866)1.00 mg/mL
T. mentagrophytesn.m.2.20 μg/μLthymol (47.90%) [253]
T. tonsurans
T. rubrum2.00 μg/μL
E. floccosum4.00 μg/μL
M. canis2.20 μg/μL
Dermatophytes clinical isolates (M. canis, E. floccosum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans)Tween 800.03–0.50 μL/mLThymol (48.90%), -cymene (19.00%)[91]
T. rubrum (clinical isolate)72.00 μg/mLThymol (44.71%), -terpinene (26.01%), -cymene (21.22%)[271]

Thymus zygis subsp. sylvestris (thyme)MACT. rubrum (CECT 2794) 
T. mentagrophytes (clinical isolate FF7) 
M. canis (clinical isolate FF1) 
M. gypseum (CECT 2908)
2% DMSO0.16–0.32 μL/mL-Cymene (11.00–17.00%), -terpinene (3.80–11.50%), linalool (3.50–30.0%), geraniol (0.10–19.80%), thymol (5.20–23.80%), carvacrol (1.30–25.00%), geranyl acetate (0.50–20.80%)[263]

name (common name), part of plant (if applicable).
: microdilution method; MAC: macrodilution method; ADM: agar dilution method; CTA: contact time assay.
Type Culture Collection, Rockville, USA (ATCC), Colección Espanõla de Cultivos Tipo (CECT), collection of microorganisms of the Department of Microbiology (MFBF), Korean Culture Center of Microorganisms (KCCM).
concentration was not included; n.m.: not mentioned.
: no inhibition.
: no composition results reported.