How Does Tea Tree Oil Help Clear Up Acne?
The leaves of an Australian tree called Melaleuca alternifolia are used to make tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic. Tea tree oil is a great way to treat your skin, especially if you have oily skin that is prone to acne. This is why tea tree oil for acne is thought to be the best natural treatment. A DNA test kit can tell you how likely it is that you will get acne. Even though tea tree oil has been shown to help with acne, not many people know how it works.
Acne can’t take over a person’s skin if one of the things that makes it happen isn’t there. Tea tree oil for acne can stop the growth of Propionibacterium acnes when it is put on the skin. This is why this essential oil is so helpful in the fight against acne.
Tea tree oil for acne contains substances that stop the growth of microorganisms. It has powerful antibacterial properties called terpenes, which are a type of volatile oil that work against Propionibacterium acnes to kill the bacteria that cause acne and reduce the number of acne outbreaks.
Several studies have shown that tea tree oil for acne works just as well as some of the most common acne treatments used by dermatologists. Research shows that tea-tree oil has a lot of terpinene-4-ol, which makes it a much better butt acne treatment than commercial products like benzoyl peroxide. Antimicrobial activity is caused by terpinene-4-ol, and this kills the bacteria on the skin that cause acne.
Tea tree oil is not safe to eat, but it is fine to put on the skin. Also, tea tree oil doesn’t cause cancer, which you can’t say about many commercial acne treatments that are full of chemicals. So, it can be used as often as is necessary.
Tea tree oil for acne can get into the pores of the skin and help clean it. By getting deep into the skin and opening up the pores, this essential oil can help clear out the sebaceous glands. Since acne usually starts in the pores, any acne treatment needs to get there.
Tea tree oil for acne is the best solution, especially for oily, acne-prone skin, because oily, dead skin cell plugs will repel water but not oil. It will also kill the acne-causing bacteria that live in the hair follicles, making acne even less likely to happen. This process of disinfection helps dry out whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples, which helps the skin get back to normal.
Tea tree oil for acne can also be used as a cleanser and a way to keep skin moist. It helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and makes it easy to get rid of grease and dust. When tea tree oil is put on the skin, it mixes with the skin’s natural oil. This keeps bacteria from eating the clogged pores. Without food, the bacteria that cause acne can’t grow.
When used on the skin, tea tree oil for acne can also help the skin heal faster. This essential oil can help stop the growth of bacteria that cause acne and make it harder for the skin to heal. Because of this, tea tree oil can help people who are stuck in a cycle of acne.
Tea tree oil can easily cut through dust and grease, and it can also kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and make wounds heal faster. Tea tree oil is known to help treat acne, but it is also thought to stop acne from happening again.
When put on the face, a drop or two of the oil mixed with distilled water can help clear up acne. But you can get the most out of this essential oil by putting a few drops in your bath, especially if other parts of your body are also hurt. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to use tea tree oil for acne that has been watered down.
What does the research say about tea tree oil For acne?
A review of 35 studies on alternative treatments for acne done in 2015 found that there is some evidence that tea tree oil can help with acne. Researchers say, though, that this evidence is not the best.
One study from 2006 found that tea tree oil for acne could both reduce inflammation and kill germs. This might help treat acne lesions that are painful and red, like pimples.
In 2016, researchers looked at how using tea tree oil for acne and resveratrol together could protect the skin from damage from the sun. Even though it wasn’t the point of the study, the researchers found that most of the people who took part had less oil and bacteria on their skin, and their pores were smaller. This might help get rid of acne.
In a study done in 2017, the people who took part put tea tree oil for acne on their faces twice a day for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the researchers came to the conclusion that tea tree oil can “significantly improve” mild to moderate acne without causing any serious problems. But only 14 people took part in this study, and it didn’t meet other standards for good research.
A study from 2018 found that using aloe vera, propolis, and tea tree oil for acne together can also help breakouts.
Overall, the research shows that using tea tree oil for acne might help it, but it’s not a cure-all.
How to Treat Acne with Tea Tree Oil
“Tea tree oil comes in many forms, such as a toner, moisturizer, wash, and spot treatment,” says Chang. However, for it to work, you need to use it twice a day for six to twelve weeks. You can buy one of these products (keep reading to find out which one the dermatologist likes best) or you can just use tea tree oil. Carqueville says that you can either use a cotton swab to put it right on the spots or mix a few drops into a moisturizer to spread it over a larger area.
You don’t have to use it by itself. You can use it with other acne treatments you may already be using. “Tea tree oil can be used with other creams and pills for acne to make them work better. Because P. acnes is becoming more resistant to antibiotics, people are trying to use non-antibiotic products like tea tree oil and a combination of acne-fighting products, “says Chang. Carqueville agrees, calling it “a great way to treat acne that doesn’t involve antibiotics.” No matter what, once your skin clears up, Nazarian says to keep using it to keep the results and stop new breakouts.
Tea tree oil isn’t just good for your skin; it can also help your scalp and hair. “Because it can reduce inflammation and kill fungi, it has been suggested as a treatment for dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis,” says Chang.
Possible Side Effects
Most people can handle tea tree oil well, but Carqueville points out that some people can have an allergic reaction to it. She says that if you are prone to allergies or have very sensitive skin, you should try it on a small patch first and stop using it if you get irritation, redness, swelling, or itching. Another sure thing? Nazarian says that if you are worried about how your skin will react, you should use diluted forms or products that are already made with a small amount.
In Conclusion
Researchers think that using tea tree oil for acne might help with mild to moderate acne. This is because it helps reduce inflammation and kills germs.
Even though it may not treat acne as well as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, trying tea tree oil for acne may be a good over-the-counter (OTC) alternative if you are sensitive to these ingredients.
If over-the-counter (OTC) products don’t help your acne, you may need to see a doctor to get a prescription. A dermatologist can help you find the best way to treat your skin problems. Some possible treatments are:
- retinoids
- oral or topical antibiotics
- anti-androgen therapy
- birth control pills
Tea tree oil shouldn’t replace what you’re already doing to treat acne, but it could be a good addition.