Acne skin? Tea tree can help…
Are you suffering with acne? Tea tree can help
Acne skin? Tea tree oil can help… I know you are probably thinking you have tried everything!! However, would you believe that maybe something as simple and affordable as tea tree oil essential oil can really help?
Of course, you already know, I am obsessed with research-proven products that target breakouts, such as salicylic acid. However, there are a handful of natural ingredients to combat acne-prone skin and tea tree oil is one of them!
Should you try it? Acne skin? Tea tree
Now, I bet you are thinking whether it is worth trying tea tree oil. Firstly, maybe we should look at ways in which you can use tea tree oil for acne-prone skin?
Research shows that tea tree oil does have some benefit for acne-prone skin, used in the right concentration. However, it has not shown to be any better than salicylic acid. However, it does have benefits and it is something you can use at home and can be an extremely cost effective way to help your skin.
So, how does Tea Tree Oil work?
Pure tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree.
It has a herbal, slightly medicinal scent and includes a mix of over 100 compounds! Some of these compounds are believed to calm factors in skin that contribute to how acne looks and feels.
Research has shown that application of a 5% concentration of tea tree oil can reduce the number of papules and pustules – both types of breakouts that people with acne-prone skin usually experience.
How much should I use?
The concentration is the sticking point: the highest concentration of tea tree oil we’ve seen in a cosmetic product is less than 0.5%, far below what research has shown is needed for skin to benefit.
You may find higher concentrations of tea tree oil in health food stores. These tea tree oil products can contain up to 100% tea tree oil, although some products contain tea tree oil that has been diluted with a carrier oil. Check the label to see what percentage of tea tree oil the product contains.
If you can find a strong enough concentration of tea tree oil, it’ll likely be too strong, which can trigger a sensitised reaction if you don’t dilute it before applying to skin.
Among the 100 compounds in tea tree oil are fragrance ingredients like limonene, linalool, and eucalyptol, all believed to be responsible for skin reactions to tea tree oil.
Our advice? Why take the risk or go through the guessing game of dilution when other over-the-counter (and many prescription) products for acne-prone skin can work with greater certainty?
Personally, I would buy a bottle of Tea Tree essential oil and create your own product at home. Don’t be scared, you can always add tea tree into your current products as well.
How can I use the essential oil?
I get you may just want to try some DIY techniques yourself. I get that, totally!! That is why I am here to help, because I am exactly the same…
If you decide to try tea tree oil, proceed with caution and stop using it if you see signs of irritation.
Here are a couple of ways you can use it yourself. Firstly, buy a bottle here.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser for breakout-prone skin. You could always add 1 drop of tea tree to this pre done cleanser.
- Dispense a few drops of tea tree oil onto a damp cotton pad and apply to skin, like you would a toner or you could use olive oil on your cotton pad and add 1-2 drops of tea tree to it. This is my favourite way to incorporate tea tree essential oil into my facial routine.
- Alternatively, you can mix 5–6 drops of tea tree oil into a lightweight facial moisturiser and apply it to your entire face.
Lots of love
This is all said with love, I know many people have different opinions and that is absolutely fine. The biggest piece of advice I always say is:
If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. These should not cause any damage to your skin, if used correctly for YOUR skin!
Any questions, just ask…
Much love.
