How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne
Whether you’re a naturalist looking for an herbal alternative to chemically derived acne treatments, or are simply tired of trying cleanser after cleanser and cream after cream and seeing no change in the clarity of your skin, tea tree oil is the perfect natural acne treatment.
Tea Tree Oil for acne is a perfect alternative to harsh chemicals and other treatments that may end up doing more damage than good!
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is a natural oil derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. The tea tree leaves and their oil have been used for centuries by the indigenous people of the northeast coast of Australia for medicinal purposes. This oil has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties and has therefore been used to treat wounds, heal infection, and to treat colds, sinus infections, and coughs.
The oil has also been used as a general healing formula due to its intense cleansing ability. Although tea tree oil has been used for hundreds of years, Western science has only begun to take hold of the benefits that come from using tea tree oil.
How Can Tea Tree Oil Treat Acne?
Tea tree oil is comparable to benzoyl peroxide in relation to its cleansing and acne healing properties. Then “why” do you ask, “would I use tea tree oil instead of benzoyl peroxide” to treat my acne? Because tea tree oil is a natural formula, and benzoyl peroxide is chemically derived, you run the risk of worsening the problem and causing unwanted side effects by using a chemical formula on the delicate skin of your face.
Tea tree oil is a strong oil, but when diluted correctly, is much more gentle on your skin than chemically derived formulas, and will deliver the same benefits while promoting the healing of your skin.
Other more harsh formulas, like benzoyl peroxide, can leave your skin red and dry, and can cause eye sensitivity when you use the product on your face.
Tea Tree oil on the other hand, works with your skin to cleanse and heal it so that acne breakouts are less likely to return in the future. Also because tea tree oil is well…an oil, it won’t leave your skin red and dry, but rather will moisturize your skin without blocking your pores or leaving your face feeling oily.
Tea Tree Oil is Inexpensive and Practical
This oil can be found at natural grocery stores and at most drugstores. It’s not difficult to find and usually runs for $8.00 per bottle (this bottle will last you at least one month) which is worth it because of all the tea tree oil uses including skincare.
Because tea tree oil is a strong oil in its pure form, it needs to be diluted with either water or another more mild oil like olive or almond. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 part tea tree oil and 9 parts dilutant. If you experience any redness or discomfort, you may need to dilute your mixture further until your skin gets used to the new formula. Overall, using tea tree oil for acne is a wise decision and products have even been developed that dilute the oil for you.
Our Recommendation for Using Tea Tree Oil For Acne
One tea tree oil product we’ve found to be particularly effective is an acne treatment called Acnetox. This product gently cleanses your skin with a mixture of tea tree oil and other acne fighting agents in order to leave your skin smooth, healthy, and in a state where acne breakouts are less likely to return in the future. You can find out more about Acsonix here.