Of all the essential oils, tea tree oil is one of the most extensively researched, proven to offer many beneficial effects, particularly for the skin. It’s derived from a shrub-like tree called Melaleuca that grows in Australia. The University of Sydney reports that the native aboriginals have used the healing benefits of the oil for treating conditions for thousands of years – long before chemist Arthur Penfold discovered its powerful antiseptic properties in the 1920s.

These days, tea tree oils are utilized for a myriad of different things and is a  popular active ingredient in a wide range of personal care products such as face wash and skin creams thanks to its exceptionally strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It’s one of the best oils you can use for eliminating acne, and even getting rid of marks and scars while helping to make your skin clearer and more radiant. It may even help fade those dark, aging spots, providing a more youthful look as well.

Here’s how you can take advantage of tea tree oil to heal your skin, transforming it into the beautifully clear, radiant skin you’ve been coveting.

Using Tea Tree Oil to Treat Acne

The powerful antibacterial,  antifungal and anti-inflammatory compounds found in tea tree oil are well-known to help decrease inflammation that often results in redness and swelling of the skin. Research from the Department of Dermatology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia discovered that when tea tree oil’s effectiveness as compared to the common acne medication benzoyl peroxide, it had a dramatic effect in clearing participants’ acne.

Another study out of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan, Iran, also confirmed its effectiveness in treating acne, specifically for mild to moderate cases. As part of the research, acne sufferers were divided up into two groups, one of which was treated with tea tree oil and the other with a placebo. They were followed for a 45-day period. The patients that had actually used the tea tree oil experienced dramatic results, showing that it was nearly six times more effective for treating the severity of their overall acne. You can use tea tree oil at home for this same purpose.

How to use tea tree oil for treating acne

You can use tea tree oil on its own, but be sure to use only a tiny amount (be sure to use 100% pure tea tree oil, not products containing tea tree oil). It can easily penetrate the skin and unblock sebaceous glands since it’s so incredibly potent. Tea tree oil contains terpinen–4, an antimicrobial component that kills the bacteria which causes acne, helping to dry out blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples while disinfecting the pores. Unlike other acne treatments, tea tree oil won’t strip your skin of its natural oils, causing further damage in the process. After cleansing your face, apply by adding a drop or two of the oil onto the head of a Q-tip or cotton ball. Gently dab the oil onto any pimples or other spots. Do not rinse.

If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your tea tree oil. Keep in mind that while it is more gentle than benzoyl peroxide, it can also dry out the skin which triggers the body to overproduce its own oils and ultimately make things worse. If you’re suffering from breakouts on various parts of your body, such as your chest or back, you may want to add a few drops of tea tree oil to a warm bath and enjoy a soak to help clear it up.

Another option is to use it as an ingredient in a face mask. Simply combine 3 to 4 of the oil with green clay powder, available at many health food stores and online. Add just enough water to create a spreadable paste, and then stir it up well. Apply the mixture evenly onto your face and mask, and allow it to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the clay is completely dry. Afterwards, rinse with warm water.

Using Tea Tree Oil to Eliminate Scars and Other Marks

Even when acne heals, it can leave behind scars that are very difficult to remove, making them nearly as frustrating as the blemishes themselves, but as mentioned, tea tree oil can help with that too – and, without the potentially damaging chemicals that come with most pricey commercial skin creams. You can also use tea tree oil to fade or eliminate other marks and problems like age spots. It not only helps to restore the skin’s natural oil balance, it penetrates deeply into pores, removing toxins while preventing the clogging that can cause acne, and lighten scars. It also aids in removing dead skin cells, to minimize the appearance of scars.

Here are a couple of very effective options for using tea tree oil for this purpose:

Honey and Tea Tree Oil

According to Heart Views, the Gulf Heart Association‘s journal, honey is able to stimulate the healing process, making it effective not only for treating wounds but for stimulating tissue regeneration. Combined with tea tree oil, it provides kind of a “double whammy” against those scars.

1. Combine two drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of raw honey.
2. Apply this mixture to clean skin, gently massaging it into affected areas for a few minutes.
3. Let this mask sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or until thoroughly dry.
4. Rinse with cool water and gently pat dry. Repeat once daily.

Brown Sugar and Tea Tree Oil

Brown sugar is an excellent exfoliant that won’t cause irritation, and its glycolic acid content helps to diminish those scars. Rose water contains antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that make it a great for fighting acne, but not only does it help kill off that acne-causing bacteria, it also helps heal scars, making the mixture highly effective.

1. Mix two tablespoons brown sugar, two tablespoons rose water and three drops of tea tree oil.
2. Gently massage the mixture into clean skin using a circular motion.
3. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Repeat three times each week.

Rejuvenate Dry Skin

Tea tree oil is incredibly rejuvenating and can even help hydrate dry, parched skin. To do so, combine a tablespoon of sweet almond oil with 5 drops of tea tree oil. Massage the results gently into your skin after washing your face. Using this one a day can keep your skin hydrated for longer periods.

Are you ready for beautiful skin?

-Susan Patterson