Tea tree oil, you know it when you smell it. The scent is strong and resembles peppermint or eucalyptus. Perhaps you have dropped some tea tree essential oil into your diffuser or had it as a scented shampoo, or maybe had a scented hand sanitizer, which is obviously a current essential! Tea tree oil is multi-use and can be a great resource for many things - including acne. In fact, it's one of the key ingredients in this top selling all natural Meltdown Acne Oil. Wondering why tea tree oil is so great for acne? Don’t worry, we’re here to spill all the tea on its skin care benefits.
But First, The History of Tea Tree
The tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, isn’t actually related to the tea plant that makes black or green tea. The tea tree is native to Australia! It has been used in natural medicine, much like eucalyptus. The tea tree oil has been used as an antiseptic. Sailors would make tea from the leaves to treat sore throats. Tea tree oil is also popularly used topically to treat many skin conditions.
Benefits of Tea Tree Oil For Acne
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which makes it effective for reducing acne symptoms. Dermatologists claim that it is effective against Cutibacterium acne, which is a bacteria found in the formation of acne and also in normal skin. An essential component of the healing process is white blood cells, and tea tree oil activates the movement of these cells.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil
When going about the usage of tea tree oil, avoid directly applying the oil to your skin. That can cause intense irritation, and we don’t want that! If you have sensitive skin or a history of irritation, chat with your dermatologist beforehand. Also remember that tea tree oil used in facial products should be 100% natural. The country of origin should be printed on the label. Always shop for skin care products from a reputable brand that features all-natural ingredients!
We recommend combining tea tree oil with a moisturizer like this one, or avoid the hassle and simply pick up the highly rated Meltdown Acne Oil which contains tea tree oil and many other naturally powerful ingredients.
Remember, Test Your Skin First
You shouldn’t simply use tea tree oil for face conditions without a patch test first. Don’t apply straight tea tree oil to your skin. It should be mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut or almond oil. Use tea tree oil with caution near your eyes or mouth. Before using a product with tea tree oil, test it out on a small patch of skin to make sure the product won’t irritate your skin.
Tea Tree Oil Also Helps Treat Other Skin Conditions
Tea tree oil has been commercially manufactured since the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s when the industry really took off. Today, it’s mixed into many skin care products to get the benefits of tea tree oil in a skin care routine.
In addition to acne, tea tree oil is also recommended for these skin conditions:
- Dry skin and eczema: the essential tea tree oil reduces itching and irritation.
- Oily skin: one of the uses of tea tree oil is in reducing oiliness on the skin.
- Hair and scalp: tea tree oil can be used on the hair and scalp to remove dead skin cells and promote growth of the hair. There is minimal evidence that it completely treats dandruff, but it can reduce the number of flakes.
- Wounds and infections: tea tree oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that boost the healing properties of skin. It’s soothing to cuts and nicks from razors and to small blemishes that cause break out.
- Psoriasis: the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil are thought be beneficial for treating the symptoms of psoriasis. Tea tree oil reduces inflammation of the skin.
Stronger tea tree oil solutions may be effective for athlete’s foot or nail fungus, but the concentration of tea tree oil in the product must be very high. Be cautious when using a strength of 50 to 100% tea tree oil, because it can irritate the skin around the issue.
When you're shopping for tea tree oil, we recommend shopping for an all natural acne treatment with tea tree oil to help effectively improve your skin.