How Do I Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne? Read These Tips and FAQs To Find Out!

Tea tree oil helps with inflamed and non-inflamed lesions associated with acne. A lot of people swear by the fact that they went to sleep and woke up with…well, the same zits, albeit much smaller and visibly less irritated when they applied tea tree oil to their whiteheads and zits. But how much do we know about using tea tree oil for acne? Get your cotton pads and Q-Tips ready, because your bumpy ride may come to an end pretty soon. 

Tea Tree Oil For Acne: How It Works

FAQs:

How do I use tea tree oil for acne?

• Before applying, wash your face with a gentle cleanser for acne-prone skin, and pat it dry. 
• Gently apply diluted tea tree oil by dabbing it on your blemishes with a cotton round pad or with a damp Q-tip. 
• Allow to dry. 
• Follow up with your usual moisturizer.
• Tea tree oil has a strong medicinal smell that may or may not be liked by all. 

Which tea tree oil is best for acne?

It’s recommended to apply 100% pure and natural tea tree oil for best results. However, for some people, a diluted solution works better.

How long does tea tree oil take to work on acne?

According to WebMD, tea tree oil might work more slowly than benzoyl peroxide, but seems to be less irritating to facial skin. When applied twice daily for 45 days, tea tree oil reduces several acne symptoms, including acne severity.

How does tea tree oil kill acne?

Benzoyl peroxide is chemically formulated to kill the acne-causing bacteria. It is fast acting but often at an irritating cost. However, tea tree oil uses its natural antibacterial properties to kill off bacteria at a slower, gentler rate. 

So why use tea tree oil, if it’s slower? 

It has a natural anti-inflammatory, meaning it’ll help calm the redness and irritation already on your skin, without causing more. And for anyone with temperamental skin, this can be a huge blessing. 

Pimples and their resulting scars will often develop deep within the skin. The scars are likely to turn a darker shade with age and exposure to the sun. Although tea tree oil helps to combat these effects, positive outcomes are not guaranteed.

Can tea tree oil make acne worse?

Acne-fighting ingredients can cause allergic reactions. If you’re using benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil and find yourself with itchy rashes, redness, or swelling, then the product you use should be discontinued immediately. 

While tea tree oil may work wonders on some peoples’ breakouts, oils in general can be comedogenic, mean[ing] pore clogging, which can trigger acne breakouts.

So if you’ve been using tea tree (or any other) oil and can’t seem to get rid of the acne, that could be the case. 

Can I leave tea tree oil on my face overnight?

You can apply on your skin for a few hours or overnight and then rinse your face with warm water. This treatment can be done daily to help stop breakouts. If it doesn’t, stop immediately. 

What happens if you put tea tree oil directly on skin?

Tea tree oil is safe as a topical treatment, and you can apply it directly to the skin on a daily basis. 

100% oil form seldom causes irritation, but some people develop an allergic rash (contact dermatitis) so it’s best to test the product out (directly first and then diluted) on your arm to check your tolerance. If you want to dilute tea tree oil you can do it with vegetable, coconut, olive, or almond oil.

Tea tree oil can also be really drying on some people, if you use it undiluted, which is the biggest of no-nos. For something that sounds so natural, it’s surprisingly irritating when applied to clean, dry skin, thanks to how intensely concentrated tea tree oil is.

How often should I use tea tree oil for acne?

Everybody reacts differently as everyone’s skin is different, so if you’re looking to add the essential oil to your skincare regimen, you might want to test it on a patch of skin to ensure that you don’t get skin tingling side effects. 

Tea tree oil is also photosensitive meaning you need to avoid direct sunlight or only use at night time. So, when in contact with the sun, tea tree oil changes chemically, and not for the better. Most of the time, this results in sunspots, blisters, rashes, or even burns. We recommend playing it safe and just using it at night.

What the Research Says:

Tea tree oil is known to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. 

It can help reduce the inflammation which is common with acne and prevent acne lesions. 

Tea tree oil for acne is widely accepted, but its effect on scarring is another matter altogether. 

Despite the existence of numerous extensive studies conducted on acne and other related skin conditions, research on the effectiveness of tea tree oil for acne is still lacking. 

Despite these drawbacks, tea tree oil is thought to reduce the appearance of hypertrophic (raised) scars. Most people can attest to the fact that their acne scars often seem to develop below the skin’s surface. Using this essential oil to help prevent active acne breakouts is bound to provide added benefits. At the very least, it might help with the severity of acne and the risk of scarring. 

These are some other ways in which tea tree oil can help: 

• Natural antiseptic: tea tree oil combats viruses, bacteria and fungus which helps prevent the development of acne and several other skin issues, many of which can lead to scarring. 
• Natural moisturizer:  tea tree oil moisturizes the skin and helps to restore its natural oil balance. 
• Tea tree oil contains loads of antioxidants as well as other nutrients, all of which help keep the skin beautiful and healthy. 
• Tea tree oil removes dirt as well as old and dead skin cells from hair follicles (helps with psoriasis of the scalp), helping to regenerate the skin’s tissue. This leads to quick growth of healthy new skin and reduces the likelihood of scarring. 
• Reduces inflammation, removes dead skin cells and helps in the development of new skin cells, restoring skin elasticity and minimizing the appearance of scars. 
• Penetrates deep into pores: this removes toxins and prevents the clogging that contributes to acne outbreaks. This process of disinfection can help lighten scarred areas of the skin. 

3 Ways To Use Tea Tree Oil for Acne Scars:

While this essential oil is considered safe for most users, always do a patch test before any full application just to be sure. 

1. Spot treatment: Put some coconut oil in a bowl, add two or three drops of tea tree oil, and then mix it well. Use a Q-tip to apply the mixture directly onto the pimples or scars. Let it soak in until morning before washing it off. 
2. Mask: Add some yogurt in a bowl and add two or three drops of tea tree oil. Once you’ve mixed it well, apply to your zits or scars. Allow about 20 minutes before washing off. 
3. Mist: Add one cup of water, a teaspoon of witch hazel and two or three drops of tea tree oil in a bowl. Pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle and shake the mixture well before you spray it onto your skin. After you are done spraying, use your hands to rub it in.