Among numerous oils used in skincare, tea tree oil is perhaps one of the most beneficial. Though it may be lesser known than olive oil or coconut oil, tea tree oil offers a range of benefits for your skin. This article will introduce you to various uses and benefits of tree oil.

What Is Tea Tree Oil, and Where Does It Come From?

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil has been used as a traditional medicine by the Aboriginal people of Australia for centuries. These native Australians crush tea tree leaves to extract the oil, then inhale it to treat coughs and colds or apply it directly to the skin for healing.

Tea tree oil has become increasingly popular in recent decades. This essential oil has been used for almost 100 years in Australia but is now available worldwide both as neat oil and as an active component in various products. The primary uses of tea tree oil have historically capitalized on the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of the oil. 

Although it has gained historical popularity in complementary and alternative medicines, it now spreads to a broader range – helping with skin, hair, and nail health. In this blog, we will focus on the positive effects on your skin.

 

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Skin

Tea tree oil is an essential oil, meaning it is a distilled plant extract that contains beneficial compounds in high concentrations. As essential oils can be highly potent, people often mix them with a carrier oil to make them safe for use.

The main component of tea tree oil, terpinen-4-ol, is a naturally occurring substance with antibacterial and antifungal properties. When applied to the skin, it helps to reduce inflammation and redness associated with acne. 

Tea tree oil is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory suited to problematic skin. Antimicrobial properties clear the skin while the rich oil base prevents overdrying, significantly soothing blemish-induced irritation. It’s an irreplaceable aid for problematic and oily skin that faces breakouts due to excess sebum trapped in the pores. It also effectively reduces redness and swelling, so it’s a valued healing agent for a damaged and compromised skin surface. Here is a list of its numerous benefits:

Protecting skin from free radicals

Prevention is super important, so we’re putting this benefit at the top of our list. 

The tea tree oil is rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, leading to inflammation and premature skin aging.

Helps with acne-prone skin

If you deal with acne, tea tree oil might help due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Note that research from the National Library of Medicine has indicated that applying tea tree oil twice a day can improve milder forms of acne and that tea tree oil, in combination with other anti-inflammatory natural treatments such as aloe vera, can help to improve your acne over time.

Reducing redness and swelling associated with acne

Tea tree oil can also be used to reduce the redness and swelling associated with acne. When applied to the skin, it helps to soothe irritation and inflammation. On the other hand, swelling and redness can be a side effect of using tea tree oil, but we will come to that later in the post.

 

acne FOREO

Tea tree oil helps to promote the growth of new skin cells which is why it helps to reduce the appearance of acne scars.

 

Reducing acne scars

Tea tree oil can also help to reduce the appearance of acne scars. In 2015, PubMed found that using tea tree oil on hypertrophic acne scarring minimizes the appearance of those scars. There is another research that supports tea tree oil’s positive effects on significantly reducing the number of acne lesions. 

How to use it? You should apply tea tree oil to your skin in a concentrated amount that is diluted with a carrier oil or moisturizer. As a home remedy for acne, it can be prepared in various ways – read more about it in a guide to using tea tree oil for acne spots.

Treating psoriasis and eczema symptoms 

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes the buildup of dead skin cells. This can lead to red, scaly patches on the skin. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are treatments that can help people to reduce the frequency and severity of psoriasis flares. Tea tree oil can help reduce psoriasis symptoms by soothing inflammation and itchiness.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition that causes itchy, rough, and cracked patches of skin. There is also no cure for eczema, so this condition can only be made easier to live with, like psoriasis. Tea tree’s anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties can help reduce some of the most significant symptoms associated with eczema.

How to use it? Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your favorite lotion or cream and apply it to the affected area. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a carrier oil such as coconut oil and massage it into the skin. We highly recommend you inform yourself about detailed instructions on using tea tree oil to help treat psoriasis and learn about the risks and precautions.

Treating dandruff

Tea tree oil could help treat dandruff by reducing the fungus that causes it. 

How to use it? Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo or conditioner and apply it to your hair as usual. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a carrier oil such as coconut oil (since coconut oil is great for hair) and massage it into your scalp. Not only will it treat dandruff, but it will also promote hair growth.

Tea tree oil shampoo helps to soothe irritation and inflammation of the scalp and unblocks pores, which also helps to reduce dandruff, strengthens the roots of your hair, and helps to wash away dead skin and oil from your scalp.

Immediate relief for burns 

You have probably heard of a few different alternatives for immediate relief to burns, such as aloe vera or saliva, but did you know that tea tree oil is one of them? Scientific results show that treating partial thickness burn injuries with tea tree oil significantly decreases subdermal temperature within the skin during the treatment.

 

Can You Put Tea Tree Oil Directly on Your Face?

We don’t recommend applying tea tree oil directly on your skin but dilute it with water or another carrier oil first.

How to dilute essential oils?

Diluting essential oils is something you need to learn how to do for you to get optimal benefits and to be perfectly safe. We have found a comprehensive guide on how to dilute essential oils.

Patch test is always a good idea

Patch testing is often recommended to determine if you have an existing sensitivity/irritation to the natural constituents present in a particular essential oil. When using tea tree oil for the first time, it’s important to do a patch test to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction. Apply a small amount of diluted tea tree oil to an area of the skin and wait 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. We don’t need to emphasize the importance of patch tests if you have sensitive or reactive skin.

 

Are There Any Side Effects of Using Tea Tree Oil?

Interestingly, tea tree oil’s most critical side effects are the same as the conditions they help treat. According to WebMD, it may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness. It will be helpful to fully inform yourself about the special precautions and warnings to be 100 percent safe.

Tea tree oil allergic reactions

Some essential oils can cause irritation, sensitization, or reactions, even ones considered perfectly safe to use. Some people may experience unpleasant effects, even allergic reactions. An allergic reaction to tea tree oil is called allergic contact dermatitis. The rash isn’t contagious, but it is very uncomfortable, a skin rash that may be red, swollen, and itchy. Using older or improperly stored tea tree oil is often associated with these reactions, but fresh tea tree oil can cause this skin reaction, too.
As said, a patch test is always a good idea, and remember to dilute tea tree oil first. Start with a small amount and increase it gradually if needed.