Tea tree oil has become a household name in terms of being a holistic home remedy for skin, hair, and nails. If this powerfully healing essential oil isn’t a go-to in your house, get ready, because it’s about to be.
Tea tree oil derives from a tree species called melaleuca alternifolia native to Australia. Aborigines in Australia, where the tree most commonly grows, have been using tea tree oil as a skincare treatment for thousands of years. This is because the oil contains many benefits that promote healthy skin. With all that good stuff packed into one essential oil, tea tree is an excellent natural acne remedy. Read on to find out how to use tea tree oil for acne.
Acne 101
Sadly, acne doesn’t just make your life miserable and wreak havoc on your skin throughout your teen years; it can happen to anyone, at any time, and at any age. It is the number one skin condition plaguing Americans, with 50 million people suffering from it annually.
Acne occurs when sebum, an oily substance within your pores and hair follicles comingles with hair within the follicle, as well as skin cells, and thickens. The pore or hair follicle then becomes clogged and bacteria cause swelling, which then causes a pimple to grow.
Additionally, acne causes inflammation and redness. This type of acne presents itself in the form of lesions, as well as white and blackheads and can cause scarring. That’s why it’s crucial to treat acne right away.
Maintain a healthy glow. Take care of your skin with nature’s remedies.
How Does Tea Tree Oil Help Fight Acne?
Since acne is a build-up of bacteria within the pores, and tea tree oil boasts amazing antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, that antimicrobial activity found within the essential oil works to break down the bacteria in acne cells.
Tea tree oil also works by soothing redness and swelling with its anti-inflammatory properties, namely, a compound called terpinen-4-ol. The compound has not only shown the ability to reduce inflammation associated with acne, but it also boosts white blood cell activity, which can help prevent further bacteria and inflammation from forming.
Research says…
One study, conducted in 2018, found that tea tree oil, when used in combination with aloe vera and propolis, a compound produced by honeybees, was more effective in reducing acne than those who used a cream containing synthetic pharmaceutical ingredients. A leading cause for this is that prescription acne treatments are becoming less and less effective given the fact that resistant strains are beginning to emerge. And one person can have several different resistant strains, so your acne medication might work in one area, but does absolutely nothing in another area. Either that, or it can cause further skin irritation, as many prescription acne antibiotics and topicals come with unwanted and unpleasant side effects.
Tea tree oil offers a holistic way to address the causes of acne, not just the symptoms— meaning it treats the acne overall and is not susceptible to resistance.
When combined with active ingredient salicylic acid, it becomes a superpower to push away the visible signs of bacterial and sebaceous build-up, and keep new blemishes from forming. That’s why our Acne Treatment Medicated Cream contains both of these superpower ingredients alongside other naturally-derived ingredients that dry up pimples and soothe the skin.
Tea Tree Oil Application Tips
It is important to remember, while studies have demonstrated tea tree oil improves the efficacy of curing acne, it should not be used as a stand-alone—as it can irritate or burn sensitive skin. As previously mentioned (several times, in fact), tea tree oil is extremely potent and powerful. Therefore, you should never apply tea tree oil directly to the skin, as it can cause irritation, swelling, and redness; the polar opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish when trying to clear up acne.
- Do not use tea tree undiluted. Always dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, or jojoba. A good rule of thumb is to use one to two drops of tea tree oil per every twelve drops of carrier oil.
- You should never, ever ingest tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is safe for the skin, fighting vaginal yeast infections, and even brushing your teeth; but it is not safe for swallowing.
- Use pure tea tree essential oil. When purchasing tea tree oil, look for one that is organic and the purest form possible. Always make sure it’s 100 percent tea tree oil without any additional additives.
- Conduct a patch test. Before applying tea tree, or the carrier oil you’re using, be sure to do a patch test on your skin to ensure you’re not sensitive or allergic. The best place to apply a patch test is on the inside of your elbow. If the spot becomes red, itchy, swollen, or starts to burn, you’re having a reaction and should avoid further use.
If you did a patch test and you’re good to go, wash your face as normal. A great product to use is CBDMEDIC™’s Natural Foaming Facial Cleanser, which contains tea tree oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, CBD hemp extract, jojoba seed oil, and other soothing ingredients that leave your skin feeling refreshed.
Pat your face dry and apply your diluted tea tree oil directly to your blemishes by using a cotton ball or round. Once that dries, apply your usual daily moisturizer and any other products you regularly use. Feel free to use this tea tree regimen daily until your acne heals.
Clear Your Skin with Acne Treatment Medicated Cream
If DIY home remedies are not your thing, you can try CBDMEDIC’s Acne Treatment Medicated Cream. The active ingredient salicylic acid, derived from willow trees (if you are concerned about natural remedies) will help dry up the excess oil. For powerful absorption, bentonite clay and colloidal oatmeal offer a helping hand to restore the skin’s pH balance. In addition, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil offer refreshing relief while the emollients CBD oil and jojoba seed oil prove nourishing, soothing, and moisturizing benefits for your skin. Coconut oil especially can be good for oily skin as well as acne prone skin.
To use
Simple squeeze a tiny amount of the cream on your finger and cover just the surface area of the blemish. Using the product on the whole face can dry the skin. If you have dry skin or experience acne on large surface areas, we recommend that you test a small area first before applying the product to the whole face
Avoid
This product is designed for the face. As with most topical products, avoid sensitive areas like the eyelids, lips, nostrils, and groin area. If you experience any sensitivity, please wash the product off with luke-warm water.
Takeaway
Acne breakouts can seem like a never-ending condition, however, the health benefits found in tea tree oil, most notably, its antibacterial properties, can work as a preventative, effectively helping to break that never-ending acne cycle.
What’s your favorite way to use tea tree oil? Tell us what you think. And be sure to join the CBDMEDIC Facebook community to keep up with the latest tips.
