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Every one of us has incorporated some kind of oil in our skincare routine at one point or another. Which comes as no surprise, well, at least when you consider the fact that various oils have been used for centuries for their beautifying properties. Tea tree oil is no exception.
Derived from a plant known as Melalueca in Australia, this miracle oil has multiple benefits for the skin, hair, and body. It has been used to treat certain skin conditions for years, and its antiseptic properties have been known since the 1920s.
Today, its use is more widespread than ever. So let’s find out how exactly it affects our skin.
You might have been recommended tea tree oil as an effective spot treatment. But have you ever wondered why exactly is it used for that purpose?
Well, it turns out that tea tree oil has incredible antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that not only shrink the pimple but also reduce the redness and swelling around it.
Studies have shown that its benefits can work on mild acne, when it’s used both as a spot treatment and as an integral part of other skincare products, like creams and cleansers. Moreover, they’ve proven that it’s just as effective at reducing acne as benzoyl peroxide, which is found in many face cleansers.
So, how should you use tea tree oil as an acne treatment?
As I’ve mentioned before, it makes for a great spot treatment. Just dip a cotton ball in the bottle and put it directly on the pimple. Another option is to add a few drops in your regular face mask or cleanser. If you have very sensitive skin, it’s generally recommended that you mix it up with another ingredient, such as a non-comedogenic oil, because it’s very potent when used in isolation and can potentially irritate your skin. Or if you want to avoid the hassle, just add a few tablespoons of water in order to dilute it.
Tea tree oil also makes for an amazing overnight treatment. Add it on your pimples before going to bed, let it sit overnight and wash it off in the morning.
Also, keep in mind that you should use it once or twice a day, and some might even find it beneficial to use it only at night. If you put it too often, you risk overusing it. This can dry out your skin and cause excess sebum to emerge as a protective mechanism.
Acne scars are very stubborn and difficult to deal with. They appear as a consequence of wrong treatment of acne or popping pimples on your own.
Even though it might take a longer time to heal acne scars, tea tree oil can help the process. It will lighten the scars and prevent future acne from appearing. How can it do that, you might wonder? Well, since it penetrates deeply into the pores and cleanses them inside out, it prevents congestion from occurring in the first place.
For a more effective acne scar treatment, you can make your own concoction by combining tea tree oil with other oils such as vitamin E oil or jojoba oil, both of which have certain benefits that work wonders on acne scars. Or you could make an at-home mask using raw honey, tea tree oil, oats, and turmeric, that will brighten and refresh your skin.
These skin conditions have very unpleasant symptoms, such as itchy, dry, inflamed and red skin, which can be so uncomfortable that it can have an impact on the quality of someone’s life.
While they technically don’t have a cure, you could take actions to prevent the symptoms to get worse and treat them. Tea tree oil is here to help. It eases the symptoms thanks to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits and it helps to heal the affected skin more quickly.
When combined with a natural exfoliator, it can rejuvenate the skin and get rid of dead skin cells, making these skin conditions easier to deal with and minimizing the chances of future scarring.
One of the symptoms of eczema is the itchiness that comes along with it. This, combined with the dry patches and rashes makes it a nightmare to control. However, tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that can relieve the itching and prevent further irritation, since you’ll be less likely to touch the skin afterward.
There are a couple of different ways you can treat eczema using tea tree oil. One of them is to add a couple of drops in your regular body wash, moisturizer or face mask and apply it in the affected area. Usually, people see some improvement after a couple of applications.
This one is for those whose skin gets irritated after shaving and experience razor burns. Tea tree oil can heal and calm the irritated skin, while also removing the marks and burns that it leaves.
Due to its anti-inflammatory benefits, tea tree oil can reduce the inflammation within the skin and boost the activity of the white blood cells that are an essential component of the healing. You can use it in combination with other oils like wild rose oil or vitamin E oil in order to tame its potency, or, if your skin isn’t overly sensitive, you can add a few drops directly on the wound.
This particular skin disease is especially hard to deal with since it makes the skin itchy which can lead to scarring and marks. Tea tree oil can relieve the itchiness and minimize the risk of scarring. Simply add a drop or two in your shower gel or face cleanser for an effective natural treatment.
Did you know that this wonderful oil can perfectly remove makeup without aggravating your skin? Try out this easy DIY makeup remover recipe. Add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to 60 ml of coconut oil and put the mixture in a jar or bottle. Blend it nicely by shaking it. After that, it’s ready to use. Just place it on a cotton pad and gently rub it on your face.
Since it has many anti-inflammatory properties, it can relieve and heal painful and inflamed areas on your skin, and any swelling that goes along with it. It’s a natural and easy way to soothe irritated skin. Just make sure not to use it directly because it can dry out your skin. For best results, add a few drops in your everyday moisturizer or body butter and apply it on the affected area multiple times a day.
As we’ve already mentioned, tea tree oil contains antibacterial properties that have the potential to control the underarm scent. It does so by killing off the bacteria that causes the unpleasant smell in the first place. It’s an ideal option for people who want to avoid conventional deodorants due to their chemical content and are looking for a natural and accessible alternative.
While it’s mainly safe, you shouldn’t use it in large amounts or before doing a patch test, since it can result in burning, itching, and redness in the skin.
Tea tree oil is safe for all skin types. In fact, people with oily skin will especially benefit from using it, since it removes excess sebum from the skin and has antibacterial properties.
Because there isn’t only one type of oil, purchasing the right kind can be a little tricky, especially if you have sensitive and acne-prone skin.
When buying tea tree oil, make sure that it’s pure tea tree and there are no additives in it. Ideally, it should be 100% natural and organic. In addition, it should have from 10 to 40 percent concentration of terpinen, the main component of the oil that carries its antibacterial properties.
It’s important to mention the precautions that you should keep in mind when using this seemingly safe oil.
First things first, it shouldn’t be swallowed since it’s toxic when ingested, so you should keep it out of reach of children. The symptoms of ingestion of tea tree oil include confusion, rash, inability to walk around and coma. Also, you shouldn’t use it on pets since it’s also toxic for them.
Make sure to do the patch test first before applying it generously on the skin. A patch test is when you apply a product you wish to test on a small area on the skin in order to see how your skin reacts to it. You should wait at least 24 hours and see what happens. There are some people, especially those who have sensitive skin that might be irritated by it.
If you have a tea tree allergy, don’t use it, even in small amounts.
There are multiple scientifically proven benefits to using tea tree oil. It has amazing antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits that can work on various skin conditions. Not to mention, it’s quite easy to get a hold of and generally lasts for a very long time. The list of benefits seems to go on and on.
It generally takes about a couple of days to see results from regular use. But, if your symptoms get worse, always consult your doctor.
