Recent research indicates that the clean beauty trend continues to grow. Approximately 25% of adults in the United States believe that their skin-care products should consist of natural ingredients, although there is some uncertainty about what “natural” means. If you are among this group and want a reliable, natural, plant-based ingredient to fight acne that has been tested and proven, consider tea tree oil.
You may also know it as melaleuca oil.
Jennifer Holman, MD
, a board-certified dermatologist and the regional president of U.S. Dermatology Partners in East and South Texas.
acne, including cleansers, toners, body washes, gels, lotions, and other treatments.
Tea tree oil should be applied topically, never swallowed.
Remember that tea tree oil should only be applied topically and it’s not safe to consume. Testing a patch is recommended, where the oil is applied to the inside of the forearm and monitored for a day or two to detect any skin rashes.
According to Dr. Holman, if you want to incorporate tea tree oil into your skincare routine, you can either buy a skincare product that already contains it or directly use the essential oil after mixing it with a carrier like a toner or moisturizer. Dr. Holman warns that applying undiluted oil can lead to an allergic reaction on the skin.
She suggests mixing three drops of tea tree oil into two ounces (oz) of your chosen product. You have the option of applying it in the morning or evening. If you have acne, you can blend tea tree oil with a witch hazel toner after you cleanse your skin. Alternatively, if you have dry or sensitive skin, you can combine the oil with a moisturizer (such as coconut oil) during the last step of your night-time skin-care routine.
According to Holman, it has the ability to increase skin sensitivity to the sun, so it’s advisable not to use it just before heading outside. However, irrespective of the skin-care products you use, it’s crucial to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 to your face every morning.
According to Hooper, individuals with acne-prone skin should use a tea tree oil based product on their pimple trouble zones, such as the chin or T-zone, once or twice daily. Hooper suggests using the product consistently either in the morning, at night or both; however, it is important to choose a time that is convenient. The best results can be achieved by making the use of this ingredient a routine, Hooper recommends.
According to her, it may require a couple of months to observe a genuine enhancement in your skin; therefore, evaluating the impact of the product on your acne should be done after using it consistently for 12 weeks. This is due to the fact that the creation of pimples can commence several months prior to the emergence of the red bump.
If you do not observe any progress within 12 weeks, you may require a more potent acne remedy. Consult a certified dermatologist who can devise a suitable treatment plan to combat your acne. Hooper indicates that tea tree oil is more effective for milder acne and may not be sufficiently potent for severe or moderate forms of the skin condition.
Benefits
1. Fights Acne and Other Skin Conditions
Tea tree oil possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, making it a potential natural treatment for acne as well as other skin conditions marked by inflammation such as psoriasis and eczema.
During a 2017 pilot study in Australia, researchers assessed the effectiveness of tea tree oil gel versus a non-tea tree face wash in managing mild to moderate facial acne. Those in the tea tree group administered the oil to their face twice a day for 12 weeks.
Individuals who utilized tea tree saw a noteworthy decrease in the quantity of facial acne eruptions in contrast to those utilizing the facial wash. Although there were minor side effects such as peeling, dryness, and scaling, no serious negative reactions were observed and all of these side effects subsided without any intervention.
2. Improves Dry Scalp
According to research, tea tree oil has shown the ability to relieve symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, a prevalent skin condition that causes scaly patches and dandruff on the scalp. It has also been found helpful in easing symptoms of contact dermatitis.
In 2002, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology released a study that explored the effectiveness of both placebo and 5 percent tea tree oil shampoo in individuals with mild to moderate dandruff.
Following a duration of four weeks of treatment, individuals who were administered tea tree demonstrated a 41 percent enhancement in dandruff severity, in contrast to just 11 percent of those who were given the inactive treatment. Additionally, scientists reported that patients experienced relief from both itching and excessive oiliness following the application of tea tree oil shampoo.
3. Soothes Skin Irritations
Despite the limited research available, tea tree oil’s characteristics of being antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory could prove beneficial in calming skin irritations and mending wounds. A pilot study has revealed that tea tree oil treatment can reduce the size of wounds and promote healing.
Several case studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of tea tree oil in the treatment of chronic wounds that are infected.
When applied topically, tea tree oil has potential to decrease inflammation, combat skin or wound infections, and minimize wound dimensions. Additionally, it has properties that can alleviate discomfort from sunburn, sores, and insect bites. However, before full application, it is recommended to test a small area of skin to confirm there is no sensitivity.
4. Fights Bacterial, Fungal and Viral Infections
According to a scientific review on tea tree published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews, data clearly shows the broad-spectrum activity of tea tree oil due to its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
In theory, tea tree oil has the potential to combat a variety of infections ranging from MRSA to athlete’s foot. While researchers are still scrutinizing these advantages of tea tree, they have been exhibited in several human studies, lab experiments, and personal accounts.
The growth of harmful bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae can be inhibited by tea tree oil according to laboratory studies. These types of bacteria are responsible for causing severe infections.
- pneumonia
- urinary tract infections
- respiratory illness
- bloodstream infections
- strep throat
- sinus infections
- impetigo
Tea tree oil’s antifungal properties make it capable of combatting or preventing fungal infections such as candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot, and toenail fungus. According to a randomized, placebo-controlled, and blinded study, tea tree users showed a clinical response when treating athlete’s foot.
Research conducted in laboratories has indicated that tea tree oil can combat the herpes virus that causes cold sores and influenza on a recurring basis. The antiviral effects observed in the studies are believed to be a result of terpinen-4-ol, which is one of the primary active ingredients in the oil.
5. May Help Prevent Antibiotic Resistance
Tea tree oil and oregano oil are being utilized as potent antibacterial agents, either in substitution for or in combination with traditional medicines, due to their ability to avoid adverse side effects.
The Open Microbiology Journal has published research showing that conventional antibiotics can be enhanced by the addition of certain plant oils, such as tea tree oil. The combination of these two types of treatment results in a positive synergistic effect.
There is optimism among researchers regarding the potential of plant oils to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. This is crucial in contemporary healthcare as antibiotic resistance can result in treatment ineffectiveness, augmented healthcare expenses, and the propagation of infection control issues.
6. Relieves Congestion and Respiratory Tract Infections
In the past, the leaves of the melaleuca plant were crushed and sniffed as a remedy for coughs and colds during its initial development. Additionally, the practice of soaking and brewing the leaves to create an infusion to alleviate sore throats was customary.
According to current research, tea tree oil possesses antimicrobial properties, enabling it to combat the bacteria responsible for severe respiratory ailments, and has antiviral capabilities that aid in the resistance or prevention of inflammation, coughs, and the flu. This is why tea tree oil is one of the most effective essential oils for treating respiratory problems and coughs.
7. Helps Treat Head Lice
The insecticidal properties of tea tree oil make it a viable option for eliminating head lice, a tiny parasitic bug that feeds on human blood. An Italian research team conducted a laboratory experiment to test the effectiveness of tea tree oil against both lice and their eggs.
During a six-month study, tea tree oil was used both by itself and in combination with nerolidol, at varying ratios, to test its efficacy against 69 head lice and 187 eggs. The results revealed that tea tree oil applied on its own was more efficient at killing head lice, as 100% were found to be dead after just half an hour of exposure.
The use of a more concentrated tea tree oil led to a 50 percent decrease in the number of hatched eggs. By combining tea tree oil with nerolidol in a 1:2 ratio, both substances were able to completely eliminate head lice within half an hour and prevent the eggs from hatching after five days of treatment.
8. Helps Treat Scabies
Lab studies have shown that tea tree oil can indeed eliminate scabies, which is a question that is frequently asked.
At Flinders University in Australia, a research showed that tea tree oil, composed of 5 percent and its active component terpinen-4-ol, significantly decreased the survival of scabies mites. Tea tree’s potent antimicrobial properties make it a natural cure for scabies, as it can treat the condition both on the surface and under the skin.
9. Improves Bad Breath
The presence of bacteria in certain areas of the mouth, such as the tongue’s rear, throat, and tonsils, causes bad breath. Tea tree oil can act as a natural solution for this issue due to its antimicrobial abilities, which can eliminate said bacteria.
A study conducted in a laboratory has demonstrated that tea tree oil is effective in combating oral pathogens such as Candida albicans, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. This benefit of tea tree oil can be highly beneficial following oral surgery such as a root canal where the risk of developing a bacterial or fungal infection is increased.
It is important to remember that tea tree oil is not intended for internal use. Therefore, when using it as a mouthwash to eliminate oral bacteria, it is essential to eject the substance from your mouth and wash with water thereafter.
Other Uses for Tea Tree Oil
the name for the fungal infection of fingernails and toenails that causes thick, discolored, distorted, and even smelly nails. That said, more research is needed to evaluate it. If the condition is not resolving or is getting worse, seek your doctor’s advice.
seborrheic dermatitis
(a variation of dandruff) and scalp folliculitis, as well as general itchiness of the scalp,” says Holman. (“Clarifying” means that a product can help remove product buildup and oil from the scalp.)
The main side effect to watch for when using tea tree oil is irritation. “Up to 4 percent of people can be allergic [to tea tree oil],” Hooper says. It’s always a good idea to do a patch test before you start treating an area with tea tree. And yet you still may find that your skin reacts negatively to the ingredient later on.
If you are allergic to it, “tea tree will irritate your skin within the first two to three weeks, and then the product will irritate your skin each time you use it thereafter,” she says. That skin irritation indicates that you are allergic to tea tree oil, and you should stop using it entirely.