Use tea tree oil for acne is becoming more and more common. You probably see it advertised as a main ingredient in skincare and personal care products in beauty stores and supermarkets.
Just how effective is tea tree oil? Is it a worthy natural treatment to try out? According to many studies and testimonies, many stand by it firmly as a powerful alternative to chemical products. It is now recognized as an effective antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic.
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternafolia trees found only in Wales and Australia. Besides treating acne, it is commonly used for other ailments like bad breath and athlete’s foot.
Basically it works by killing acne bacteria deep within the skin. As an effective organic solvent, it can dissolve and dry out pus. It is very safe and can be used for different skin types.
This natural ingredient has been shown in studies to have similar antimicrobial effects like benzoyl peroxide. In one study of about 120 people with mild to moderate acne, the effectiveness of tea tree oil for reducing acne was compared with BP.
Both acne remedies were effective, and peoples’ acne improved within a 3-month timeframe. However, there were less side effects using tea tree oil for acne, like dryness, itchiness, or burning in the skin.
Tea tree oil for acne may act more slowly than other OTC products like benzoyl peroxide, but generally its natural properties make it less irritating and suitable for sensitive skin.
This natural remedy has a powerful ingredient that enables it to be effective. This ingredient is called terpinen-4-ol, which kills bacteria and fungi. Not all products contain an effective percentage of this agent.
Look for high-quality tea tree oils containing at least 40% of terpinen-4-ol if the product label offers this information.
In addition, buy products with labels indicating the oil is from the Melaleuca Alternafolia tree leaves. The oil should the first ingredient mentioned. Many products do not contain a high enough concentration of the oil and will not be effective.
Use it topically. Dab the tea tree oil on any pimples or acne 3 times a day. Don’t overdo it. Start out with small amounts and monitor how well your skin takes to the treatment.
Make sure you incorporate a gentle cleanser into your routine. Try out different products that contain tea tree oil like gels or lotions.
If you want to incorporate this natural acne remedy into your daily skin routine, I suggest the 7 Step Acne Plan to Rid Acne to help you get a plan in place and learn to figure out whether a product is working or not.
Click here to learn about a natural method to get your acne under control fast.