Acne is a long term skin disease in which dead skin cells and naturally produce oil in the body clog hair follicles. This condition can be treated with natural remedies such as tea tree oil effectively.
Acne affects the area of skin with relatively high number of oil glands such as face, chest and upper back. They are characterised by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and scarring.
Acne generally appears on the face in teenage. It can also develop on the back and other parts of the upper body. Adults also can get acne.
Whether you have acne or face or back or any other part of your body, tea tree oil will help it to heal faster and prevent it from recurring when used with effective natural products.
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How Good is Tea Tree Oil for Skin?
Due to it's proven antifungal and antimicrobial capabilities, tea tree oil has been extensively used for topical application on many skin conditions. Following are some of the main applications of tea tree oil on skin conditions.
- Fungal Infection of Nails(Onychomycosis)
- Acne
- Lice
- Scabies
- Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis)
- Ringworm
- Boils
- Cuts
- Burns
- Insect bites and stings
- Vaginal infections
- Recurrent herpes labialis
- Infections of mouth
- Toothache
- Ear infections
The chemical composition of tea tree oil can kill bacteria and fungus, that is why it is widely used for various skin Infections and allergies.
Why Tea Tree Oil Works on Acne?
Tree tea oil is very effective on mild to moderate acne on your skin.
Researchers have found it more effective than the conventional 5% benzoyl peroxide for treating acne. Tea tree oil works slower than Benzoyl peroxide but is less irritating to skin and provides a much better skin condition after the acne is gone. Use of 5% tea tree oil twice daily for 45 days can reduce severity of acne and completely remove mild acne.
The antimicrobial capabilities of tea tree oil kills bacteria from the acne to heal it.
Since this is an essential oil it reaches deep inside the skin to unblock the sebaceous gland and opens pores to disinfect them.
It also removes dust and dead skin from the pores by dissolving and removing to clean the pores.
So if you have oily and acne prone skin when tea tree oil is one of your best home remedies to get rid of the nasty bumps from your facial skin.
How to Use Tea Tea Oil to Treat Acne?
You can use tree tea oil in a number of different ways to treat your acne. it works very well alone as well as with some other natural acne healing products.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Use diluted tea tree oil on your acne.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon water
- 3 drops tea tree oil
- Q-tips
How to use it?
- Pour one tablespoon water in a small crucible
- Add 3 drops of tea tree oil in it and mix well to dilute it
- Apply the diluted tea tree oil with Q-tips by dabbing on each acne and surrounding skin.
- Keep it for 30 minutes.
- Wash your face and apply moisturizer.
- Do it twice daily for quick results
The antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil works on your skin to kill bacteria and reverse dead skin to clear acne and prevent future breakouts.
What to expect?
You may get a sting as you use the tea tree oil for the first time. It is normal. If you don’t then maybe your mix is too diluted. Add an extra drop. Once you are satisfied with the tea tea oil water ratio, maintain it every time. It might take about 45 days to get clear skin.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil
The pH balancing capabilities of ACV helps heal acne fast.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon water
- 3 drops of tea tree oil
- Q-tip or cotton ball
How to Use:
- Dilute 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in one teaspoon of water in a small bowl
- Add 3 drops of tea tree oil and mix well
- Apply the mix on your acne by q-tips
- Leave it for 15-30 minutes
- Wash it with warm water
- Do it twice daily
What to Expect:
It can sting the skin but nothing to worry.
The malic acid in ACV helps exfoliate the skin and balances the pH to reduce excess production of sebum which is the main cause of acne.
3. Tea Tree Oil with Lemon
Lemon acts as an astringent on your skin to deal with acne.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon water
- 3 drops lemon juice
- Q-tips
How to Use:
- Mix all ingredients well
- Apply the mix on your acne with q-tips
- Leave it there for 30 minutes
- Rinse it with warm water
- Do it once or twice daily
What to Expect:
Lemon also gives sting to skin, that is why we have diluted with water.
The antimicrobial nature of both lemon and tea tree oil and astringent capabilities of citric acid in lemon helps to effectively get rid of acne.
4. Witch Hazel and Tea Tree oil
Both witch hazel and tea tree essential oils together will heal your acne fast.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon witch hazel
- 3 drops of tea tree oil
- Q-tips
How to Use:
- Mix both essential oils well
- Apply on acne with q-tips
- Leave for 5-10 minutes
- Don't once daily
What to Expect:
It will give sting in the beginning. No need to dilute it with anything. The tannins in witch hazel act as astringent to counter excess production of sebum that causes acne.
5. Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel. Fresh is better
- 3 drops tea tree oil
- Cotton swab
How to Use:
- Mix both ingredients well
- Apply it on your acne with cotton swab before going to bed
- Leave it overnight
- Rinse it off with warm water
- Do it daily before going to bed
What to Expect:
Your skin will feel relaxed. Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory. It hydrates and rejuvenate your skin and tea tree oil will get rid of bacteria.
6. Almond Oil and Tea Tree Oil
Almond oil due to its antioxidant capabilities is good for your skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon almond oil
- 3 drops tea tree oil
- Cotton swab
How to Use:
- Mix almond oil and tea tree oil well
- Apply in your acne affected skin with cotton swab
- Leave it overnight
- Rinse it iff with warm water in the morning
- Do it every night
What to Expect:
There will be no sting on skin. If at all it happens then it will be too mild to bother. Almond oil rejuvenates your skin with antioxidants. It also acts as carrier oil for tea tree oil to kill bacteria.
7. Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been used for ages to protect your skin from external forces such as bacteria, UV rays and harmful chemical fumes.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- 3 drops of tea tree oil
- Cotton swab
How to Use:
- Mix coconut oil and tea tree oil well
- Apply on your acne with cotton swab
- Leave it for couple of hours
- Rinse it off with warm water
- Do it twice daily
What to Expect:
Slowly and steadily your skin becomes acne free.
You would have noticed that everywhere the tea tree oil is not used alone as it is highly concentrated and can burn skin. All the other ingredients ranging from water to lemon are carriers and some of them are themselves capable to cure acne. So the combination is even more effective.
Precautions and Tips
You may be able to use tea tree oil topically on your skin without any problems.
- It can cause, itching, burning sensation, redness and dryness in some skins.
- It can irritate eczema. Do not use tea tree oil if you have eczema
- It can cause swelling of breast tissue in young boys who have not yet reached puberty. Some cases of breast swelling has been observed with the repeated use of tea tree oil as well as lavender oil.
- Do not swallow tea tree oil. It is toxic and can cause confusion, reduces muscle movement s and even decreases consciousness.
If you skin is not sensitive then topical application of tea tree oil will remove your acne and make your skin smooth again.