How to use tea tree oil on face

Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the Australian tree of the same name. Aboriginal Australians have used it as a traditional medicine for many centuries.

Today, people use tea tree oil in a variety of ways, including keeping the skin healthy. Does this include acne?

Let’s take a closer look at how tea tree oil may help with acne breakouts, the best way to use it, and safety precautions to keep in mind.

A 2015 review of 35 studies on the use of complementary treatments for acne concluded that there’s some evidence to support using tea tree oil for acne. But researchers note that this evidence isn’t of the best quality.

One 2006 study found that tea tree oil has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This may help with treating inflammatory acne lesions, such as pimples.

A 2016 study looked at using a combination of tea tree oil and resveratrol to protect the skin from sun damage. Although not the aim of the study, researchers found most participants had less oil and bacteria on their skin, as well as smaller pores. This could potentially improve acne.

In a 2017 study, participants applied tea tree oil to their face twice daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, researchers concluded tea tree oil has the ability to “significantly improve” mild to moderate acne with no serious side effects. But this study only had 14 participants and didn’t adhere to other research quality standards.

A 2018 study found combining aloe vera, propolis, and tea tree oil can also improve acne.

Overall, the research says tea tree oil might help improve acne, but it’s not a cure-all.

Follow these steps for safe dilution and application.

With most acne treatments, you’ll want to use the treatment every day for best results. This includes tea tree oil.

Once you’ve done a patch test and know it’s safe to use diluted tea tree oil on your skin, you can apply the oil to the affected area twice a day as part of your morning and evening skin care routine.

Tea tree oil is generally safe to use on the skin. It’s not safe to swallow it. Ingesting it can cause serious symptoms, including confusion and ataxia. Ataxia is a loss of muscle coordination.

Also be careful not to get tea tree oil in your eyes, as it can cause redness and irritation.

If tea tree oil is correctly diluted, most people can use it on their skin without any serious problems. However, some people may develop an allergic skin reaction or skin irritation on the area where the oil was used.

That’s why it’s important to do a patch test on a small area of your skin before using diluted tea tree oil on your face. Make sure you stop using the oil right away if you notice any:

• itching
• redness
• swelling
• irritation

Tea tree oil is widely available and easy to find. You can find it at most drugstores as well as online. You may even find it at your local grocery store in the personal care section.

If you’re looking to buy tea tree oil to use on your skin, buy the purest oil available. Make sure the label says it’s 100 percent tea tree oil.

Research suggests tea tree oil may be helpful for mild to moderate acne breakouts. This is thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

While it may not be as effective as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid for treating acne, tea tree oil may be an over-the-counter (OTC) option if you have a sensitivity to these ingredients.

If you don’t see an improvement in your acne with OTC products, you may need prescription medications. A dermatologist can help find the best treatment for you. Treatment options may include:

• retinoids
• oral or topical antibiotics
• anti-androgen therapy
• birth control pills

While tea tree oil shouldn’t replace your current acne regimen, it may be a good complementary treatment.

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Tea tree oil is a popular remedy. It helps treat several conditions and provides numerous benefits for the skin. Most people can tolerate it well.

This essential oil comes from the leaves of a species of tree called Melaleuca alternifolia, which grows in Australia.

In this article, we cover the uses, benefits, and risks of tea tree oil for skin.

Using tea tree oil for the skin may help with a variety of conditions. We cover some of these in the sections below.

Acne

Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil may help treat acne.

The results of one study, which involved 14 participants with acne, support the use of tea tree oil for treating acne. The participants applied the oil to their face twice per day for 12 weeks. The researchers measured the efficacy of the tea tree oil based on any decreases in acne lesions.

There were 23.7 acne lesions across the 14 participants at the start of the study. By the end of the 12 weeks, the total number of lesions for the group had dropped to 10.7.

The researchers also found that the participants tolerated the tea tree oil well. Although mild peeling and dryness occurred, no serious adverse effects developed.

Therefore, the results indicated that tea tree oil may help treat mild or moderate acne.

Oily skin

Tea tree oil may also benefit oily skin. One study evaluated the use of sunscreen containing tea tree oil to determine whether or not it reduced oily skin in study participants.

For 30 days, the participants applied sunscreen containing tea tree oil to their skin. After 30 days, at least 1 out of 2 areas of the face showed a reduction in oiliness and a decrease in pore size.

Dry skin

Applying tea tree essential oil to the skin may help relieve dryness. Although studies on tea tree oil and skin dryness are lacking, decreasing inflammation may reduce dryness that typically occurs with irritation.

Itching

As a result of its anti-inflammatory effects, tea tree oil may also help reduce itchy skin.

One study in The Archives of Dermatological Research compared the use of zinc oxide and clobetasone butyrate with that of tea tree oil in people with dermatitis.

The results revealed that tea tree oil was better at decreasing allergic dermatitis than the other topical agents.

Wound healing

Due to its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil may help speed up wound healing. However, studies in this area are lacking.

One small study, with four participants, compared healing times when using tea tree oil for wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus. The researchers compared healing time using conventional treatment alone and conventional treatment plus the fumes from tea tree oil.

The results indicated that 3 of the 4 participants had decreased healing time in the wounds they treated using tea tree oil.

Other benefits

Tea tree oil contains terpenoids, which may have some benefits for the skin. Although research is not extensive, tea tree oil for the skin may have the following benefits:

• anti-inflammatory
• anti-fungal
• antiseptic

Never take tea tree oil orally, as ingesting it can result in serious health issues. Only ever apply it to the skin.

Tea tree oil is an ingredient in many products, including ointments, mouthwashes, lotions, and skin care creams. It is also available as pure essential oil. Most commonly, it is available in a 5% concentration, but higher concentrations are also available.

Apply tea tree oil to the skin after diluting it with a carrier oil or moisturizer. Diluting tea tree oil decreases the risk of skin irritation. It is also important to avoid applying the oil too close to the eyes, as exposure to the eyes may cause irritation and redness.

To use tea tree oil on the skin, mix a few drops with a carrier oil, and put it on the skin with a cotton ball. Another option is to place a few drops of tea tree essential oil in a warm bath. Apply products that contain tea tree oil, such as lotions, as the manufacturer directs.

Tea tree oil is available to purchase online, along with carrier oils.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, most people can tolerate products containing tea tree oil. However, side effects are possible.

Side effects are more likely to occur when using the oil in higher concentrations. They include:

• skin irritation
• dryness
• flaking
• rash
• itching

As with any product, an allergic reaction is also possible. Before using tea tree oil on the skin, it is best to do a patch test to make sure that it will not cause irritation.

Always consider the risks when using essential oils, as some are harmful to children, pregnant women, and pets.

For example, one study in the New England Journal of Medicine concerns the link between tea tree oil use and gynecomastia in prepubescent boys.

The study includes a case review involving three boys — ages 4, 7, and 10 — who had normal hormone levels but unexplained breast development.

The boys were using products containing tea tree or lavender oil. After discontinuing use of the products, gynecomastia resolved in all three boys. However, this finding alone cannot confirm an association between tea tree oil and gynecomastia.

Using tea tree oil for the skin can offer several benefits. For example, it may help treat certain skin conditions, including acne, itching, and oily skin. It may also promote wound healing.

Although most people tolerate tea tree oil well at low concentrations, it can also lead to side effects, including skin irritation.

If signs of an allergic reaction develop, such as a rash or itching, discontinue use immediately.

People with preexisting skin conditions and woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with their healthcare provider before using tea tree oil.