Tea tree oil is a natural skin care ingredient that is derived from Australian Tea Tree leaves. It's been used for centuries (if not longer) for its medicinal properties. Tea tree oil has many health benefits, such as treating acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions like irritation. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help keep skin looking healthier. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of tea tree oil, what it's used for, and the positive effects it has on skin!

The Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

As we touched on above, tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and antibacterial agent that can really cleanse pores, but more importantly, help get rid of acne, pimples, and breakouts. It helps to unblock the sebaceous glands and clear away the dead skin cells that can build up over time and cause acne. Tea tree oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which helps to reduce redness or inflammation that can occur in your skin over time. We need to be mindful of the everyday stressors that can come into our lives! Unfortunately, this could have an adverse impact on your skin too :(

Let's get into some acne treatment specifics! Now, we know tea tree oil is a great natural ingredient that can help with acne or breakouts, but just how well can it work. It works just as well as benzoyl peroxide (a synthetic acne treatment ingredient), but it is much gentler. Tea tree oil also causes fewer skin reactions, since it takes a little longer for it to take effect. This gentler, more consistent treatment works better for all skin types, making tea tree oil a perfect option for those with dry skin or sensitive skin!

There are a number of studies that have shown Tea Tree Oil to be an effective treatment for people with moderate acne. For example, a study published in the journal "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine" showed that Tea Tree Oil was more effective than benzoyl peroxide in reducing the number of acne lesions. Additionally, further studies have shown that those with mild to moderate acne, and applied tea tree oil twice daily, had anywhere between a 23% to 63% reduced acne after 4 weeks! There is definitely a positive trend here!

How should you use tea tree oil in your skin care routine?

Tea tree oil should be used topically in order to get its acne cleansing benefits. You can either apply it directly to the skin, or it can be added to a carrier oil like jojoba oil, almond oil, or coconut oil. Tea tree oil can also be added to face wash, shampoo, or body wash. For more concentrated effects, you could always look into a serum, like our Salicylic Acid Serum, for higher percentages of the ingredient. This will help keep your pores clean and free of sebum build up, and the best part is you can use it whenever you want!

Start by applying tea tree oil once a day and assess how it affects your skin. If using a skin serum, like our Salicylic Acid Serum, then we’d recommend starting to use it during your night time routine. The steps are pretty simple! First, always cleanse your skin! Then follow up with a toner or serum. If using a toner, let that set in for a quick minute and then follow up with the serum containing tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil should be used twice daily to see real improvement. Consistency with this natural ingredient is key in order to see long-term benefits for the skin. We recommend staying on it and give your skin at least 12 weeks of consistent use before developing any final thoughts. You will definitely notice, smoother and clearer skin with less acne or breakouts.

If you are not seeing any results after this time frame, you may need more specific help or a stronger products that a certified dermatologist could help you with. Tea tree oil is a very effective treatment for medium to mild acne, but it may not be able to help with severe acne. It may offer some cleansing benefits, but perhaps discuss if using it in combination with other treatments would be beneficial.

In closing, tea tree oil is a great natural option when it comes to treating acne. You cannot sleep on all the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help to clear up breakouts and keep skin looking healthy. Consistency is a HUGE factor when using a cleansing natural ingredient like tea tree oil. Don't give up so soon. Stay in it for the long run and you will see results. Mixing in a Salicylic Acid Serum could do wonders when it comes to treating regular acne and breakouts. If you made it this far, thank you for reading!

Here's an extra 10% off ANY product you'd like to try in our shop (the Salicylic Acid Serum could be a good start ;) ) Use code: CLEANSE10 at checkout!