How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne
This article was co-authored by Lorena Barcal. Lorena Barcal is a Clinical Herbalist, Clean Beauty Specialist, and Writer for IslandBeauty.co, a blog dedicated to sharing the benefits of using all-natural beauty products and recipes created by herbalists. Lorena specializes in studying and developing natural alternatives for beauty products. After finishing her herbal studies, Lorena managed an herbal lab in Barcelona developing natural beauty products. As a writer for IslandBeauty.co, she shares knowledge and insights to promote the natural beauty industry.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 51 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,114,244 times.
Tea tree oil can be used as a natural solution for getting rid of pimples. It contains natural antibacterial properties, which makes it an excellent alternative to harsh synthetic chemicals and it will not strip your skin of its natural oils. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to acne or it can be used as an ingredient in a variety of skin treatments. Once you learn how to use tea tree oil, it can become an effective tool in your battle against pimples.
How To Apply Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can be found in multiple formulations, including toner, moisturizer, washes, and spot treatment, though it should be used twice daily for six to 12 weeks to start seeing a benefit, says Chang. You can pick up one of those products , or you can use straight-up tea tree oil. In this case, you can either apply it directly onto blemishes with a cotton swab, or mix a few drops in with a moisturizer to spread it onto wider areas, Carqueville suggests. You also dont have to use it on its own, but rather as an accompaniment to any other acne treatments you may already be using. Tea tree oil can be used with other topical and oral acne medications for increased efficacy. Given the increased rate of antimicrobial resistance in p. acnes, theres been a push to use non-antibiotic products, like tea tree oil, as well as a combination of acne-fighting products together, says Chang. Carqueville agrees calling it, a great, non-antibiotic approach to treating acne. Either way, once your skin does clear up, Nazarian suggests continuing to use it in order to both maintain results and prevent future breakouts.
Its also worth pointing out that tea tree oil shouldnt be reserved solely for your skincare routine it can be beneficial for your scalp and hair, too. Given its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal potential, its been suggested for use in dealing with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, explains Chang.
Tea Tree Oil Aloe Vera Gel & Coconut Oil Overnight Face Mask For Acne
Contrary to popular belief, you can oil on your face, even if you have oily skin. Most products for oily skin tend to overdry the skin, consequently triggering the glands to secrete more oil. Coconut, almond, and olive oil hydrate the skin without overdrying. They help maintain the natural oil balance of your skin.
Ingredients:
- Unrefined coconut oil
Directions: Use 1-2 drops of 100% pure tea tree essential oil, 2 tablespoons of 100% pure aloe vera gel, ½ teaspoon unrefined coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients until well blended. Apply a thin layer to your face at bedtime. Rinse with warm water in the morning.
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How To Keep Whipped Shea Butter From Hardening
Depending on the temperature of where you live or where you store it, your body butter could lose volume, and in a cooler climate, it could stiffen up.
If the fluffy consistency of the body butter hardens in a couple of days, it can make it harder to apply. To keep it soft and fluffy, add a little bit of jojoba oil to the whipped shea .
How To Use Tea Tree Oil
Though its effects on acne scars arent proven, there generally isnt any harm in trying it out.
Tea tree oil is safe for most users, but its important to make sure before youdo a full application.
To do a patch test:
From there, the way you use the oil will depend on the type of product you purchase.
Pure essential oil forms will need to be diluted with a carrier oil before use. A general rule of thumb is to add at least 1 ounce of carrier oil to every 12 drops of essential oil.
OTC products that contain tea tree oil in them dont need this extra step you can simply apply as directed.
In either case, you can get the best results from using tea tree oil as an all-over treatment, applied twice per day.
considered safe for most users. However, you shouldnt use tea tree oil if youve had reactions to any related products in the past.
Pure essential oils are extremely powerful. You should never use this type of tea tree oil without diluting it with a carrier oil first.
Using undiluted tea tree oil can lead to additional redness, hives, and even rash. The affected area may also be itchy and uncomfortable.
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Body Butter Vs Lotion: The Difference
Body butter is a nutrient-dense thick cream made of natural oils and butter designed to hydrate and nourish your skin.
It is more concentrated than a lotion, and because body butter contains no water, it isnt prone to microbial growth and has a longer shelf life.
While it takes longer to penetrate the skin, it can soften very dry and rough spots like the knees, elbows, and feet. By whipping it, the body butter will become soft, fluffy, and easy to apply.
Add Tea Tree Oil To Your Cleanser
What about mixing tea tree oil with your moisturizer or cleanser? This could work out really well because tea tree oil would come in contact with your skin every time youâll apply your cleanser and would cut down the slightest possibility of acne-causing bacteria residing inside your skin pores.
All youve to do is mix 2-6 drops of tea tree oil with your cleanser. The dilution of tea tree oil depends on the extent to which your skin can bear it. Apply the cleanser on your skin in circular motions so that the tea tree oil can get easily absorbed into your skin. Take care of your eyes while applying this altered moisturizer, as the contact of eyes with tea tree oil could trigger burning in eyes.
You can try this method every single day if your skin is acne-prone. If you are worried if tea tree oil will work well with your cleanser, then you should definitely try out our Anti-Acne Cleansing Foam that contains tea tree oil as one of the key anti-acne ingredients.
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Using Tea Tree Oil In Skin Treatments
How Long Does It Take For Tea Tree Oil To Work On Acne
In this article, we will answer the question How long does it take for tea tree oil to work on acne?, and how to use tea tree oil for acne?
Read on to know more about the safety tips related to the application of tea tree oil on your skin. This article also includes a brief guide on some of the other uses of tea tree oil.
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Tea Tree Oil + Baking Soda
Step 1: Mix together two to three drops of tea tree oil and one teaspoon jojoba or almond oil
Step 2: Take one teaspoon baking soda in a bowl and add enough water to make a paste
Step 3: Add the oil blend to the baking soda paste and mix well
Step 4: Apply the paste on the acne spots and leave it to dry
Step 5: Rinse with cool water after about 5 minutes
Benefits: Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are what make baking soda one of the best treatments for acne breakouts and inflammation. However, using baking soda alone on the face is not a good option as it can irritate skin and strip your skin of natural oils. Therefore, mix it with tea tree essential oil to treat acne. Using the mixture of baking soda and tea tree oil for acne once in every two days can unclog pores and reduce the growth of bacteria.
Does Tea Tree Oil Help With Breakouts
You might wonder, why turn to tea tree oil if there are already numerous prescription and over-the-counter acne treatment options out there?
Many of the common topical options, like retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, work well for acne but can irritate and dry out your skin . Antibiotics can also be used, but arent as popular anymore because the bacteria that causes acne can become resistant to the medication.
Currently, the amount of information available for natural health and skincare products is scarce. This is because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates drugs differently than supplements and skincare products . For example, the FDA approved an antibiotic called Clindagel after it had been clinically proven to be safe and effective for treating acne rel=nofollow> FDA, 2000).
Tea tree oil, on the other hand, is not an FDA-approved treatment. That being said, there has been research published on tea tree oil-containing products and their effects on acne. One small study in 2018 found that creams containing tea tree oil were more effective for treating acne compared to other synthetic products .
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Its Moisturizing As Much As It Works Against Acne
Tree tea oil might be a sworn enemy of acne but that does not keep it from being a moisturizer and a skin-nourisher. If anything, this is what separates it from ordinary topical treatments such as retinoids and benzoyl peroxide which are not for their characteristic skin-drying properties. In a way, apart from not having to worry about side effects like irritation and perpetual dryness haunting your acne treatment regimen, tea tree oil can also double up as an emollient to go along with your makeup kit.
Does Tea Tree Oil Work For Acne
Tea tree oil has antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, making it effective for combating most forms of acne, from non-inflamed blackheads and whiteheads to painful nodules . If you’re dealing with a host of comedonal acne , Green says tea tree oil can be an effective form of treatment. One study found that a 5% tea tree oil topical gel helped to significantly improve mild to moderate acne symptoms. Researchers have also seen an increase in white blood cell activity associated with tea tree oil use, which is integral when it comes to the acne-healing process.
We know what you’re thinkingthis sounds strangely familiar to benzoyl peroxide. The difference? Tea tree oil is also anti-inflammatory, which means it has the ability to “soothe and relieve irritated, itchy, red, swollen skin,” notes , aboard-certified dermatologist in New York. This mitigates the risk of developing skin sensitivitiesas is often the case with traditional acne-clearing ingredients like our little friend benzoyl peroxideand is a much gentler, non-irritating alternative to combating acne that can also reduce the risk of scarring. True, tea tree oil is slower at warding off acne than benzoyl peroxide, but for those with easily irritated skin, the gentler approach may be worth the wait.
TL DR: Tea tree oil possesses qualities that make it an effective fighter against acne, inflammation, and bacteria that leads to breakouts.
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What Is Acne Again
Acne can be quite confusing, whether you are experiencing it as an adolescent or adult. Although its more common in teenagers, it can happen to anyone at any age. Many things can contribute to acne, including overproduction of oil, bacteria, stress and hormonal imbalances.
So what is acne exactly? Acne can be defined as a skin disorder in which hair follicles become plugged up with dead skin cells and oils. This skin clogging situation can result in pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts or nodules.
This common skin concern is most commonly located on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Acne can come and go. It can also leave behind scars and cause emotional distress.
When youre struggling with acne, your skin is not functioning in its healthiest or most ideal way, but there are natural things you can do to help yourself, such as using tea tree oil.
Get Rid Of Nail Fungus
Fungal nail infections are quite common. Although they arent dangerous, they can be unsightly. There are medications that can treat nail fungus, but some people may prefer a more natural approach.
Tea tree oil has been shown to help get rid of nail fungus when used alone or in combination with other natural remedies, with fewer side effects than traditional medications .
In a controlled study, people with nail fungus used straight tea tree oil or an antifungal medication for 6 months. At the end of the study, about 60% of people in each group experienced partial or full resolution of the fungus .
You can use a few drops of tea tree oil alone or mix it with an equal amount of coconut oil and apply it to the affected area. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after applying in order to avoid spreading the fungus to other areas.
SUMMARY
Tea tree oil appears to be as effective against fungal nail infections as antifungal medications applied to the area.
22 ).
One study found that tea tree oil was more effective against plaque-causing bacteria than chlorhexidine, a common disinfectant and oral rinse. Whats more, its taste was found to be less objectionable .
A 2020 study found that a tea tree oil mouthwash was an effective treatment to reduce the inflammation of gingivitis .
To make your own chemical-free mouthwash, simply add a drop of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water, mix thoroughly, and swish in your mouth for 30 seconds or so.
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Apple Cider Vinegar And Tea Tree Oil For Acne Scars
Apple cider vinegar leaves stupendous results on acne affected skin. Heres how to apply:
Things you need:
- 2-3 drops tea tree oil
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
How to do: First of all, dilute the oil in the apple cider vinegar. Dip the Q tip in the mixture and dab on the acne spots. Let it dry for 10 minutes and wash off for good results.
Best time to do:You can do it anytime you want.
Number of repetitions: Do it once every other day.
Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil
- Tea tree oil has antifungal and antiviral properties that are helpful to treat acne scars.
- Its great for treating chickenpox and shingles.
- Tea tree oil is antiseptic and antibacterial. It is one of the best things you could use in terms of essential oil for wounds because oftentimes bacteria can get into a wound and cause an infection.
- It can be used for treating toenail fungus or athletes foot or ringworm because of its antifungal properties.
- Its great for treating dandruff and just in general any type of skin issue, even eczema, and psoriasis.
- It can be used as an anti-mold.
- You can use tea tree oil as a natural household cleaner. Its a natural deodorizer.
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Will Tea Tree Oil Help With Acne Scars
Although acne can be unpleasant, its comforting to know that blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads will heal with time. But some may notice that after a breakout clears up, it has left behind red and purple marks. While these scars usually go away on their own, there are treatments that can speed up the healing process.
Research has found products containing aloe vera, tea tree oil, and propolis extract significantly reduced redness in acne scars. This combination cream was also better at reducing the appearance of scars compared to synthetically produced creams .
While many acne scars will go away on their own, talk to a dermatologist if scars havent gone away after many months or years. In this case, there are treatment options, such as chemical peels, laser therapy, and fillers, that can help reduce their appearance .