Regardless of how you use it, there’s no denying its effects. Keep an eye out, and be open to the array of options available to you. Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Hadley King Dermatology in New York City. Here we outline some of the most popular tea tree oil uses that show it’s far more than a skin-soothing superhero. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Tea tree oil’s status as an antibacterial makes it a key ingredient in many natural health products. This includes everything from deodorant and face washes to foot treatments, hand gels, and toothpaste.

Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Aust. 1990;153(8):455-458. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1990.tb126150.x In the 19th century, tea tree became increasingly popular among Europeans. It was discovered that pure tea tree essential oil was effective as a natural antiseptic. It was even used on soldiers during world war 2 to fight infections and heal wounds. Tea tree oil for acne is by far one of its most common uses, which is why it’s often added to face washes and creams. That’s all down to the fact it can help cleanse the skin of impurities while also reducing inflammation and swelling. Tea tree oil has been used throughout history for many reasons as it’s believed to have antibacterial properties. The cleansing powers of tea tree oil are down to its naturalantibacterial and antifungal properties.

Tea tree oil uses

Additionally, using tea tree oil on pets may not be safe. Researchers reported that more than 400 dogs and cats developed tremors and other nervous system problems after receiving between 0.1–85 mL of tea tree oil on the skin or orally ( 40). SUMMARY As you can see, tea tree oil is incorporated into all kinds of products. From shampoo to soap, and more, there are tons of ways to bring it into your beauty routine. For skin ailments, finding a product that comes as a mixture can often be a more beneficial option, because it eases any concerns of causing skin irritation or redness. “The most common mistake people make when incorporating tea tree oil, or other natural oils, into their skincare routine is that they use too much at too high of a concentration directly on their skin, which can cause breakouts in the process,” Dr. Idriss says. The natural oil should never be used directly on the skin alone. If you are looking to keep the solution as natural as possible with few added ingredients, then Dr. Idriss recommends diluting the oil with “some other sort of carrier oil.” Tea tree oil has quite a potent herbal smell, which is not for everyone, so it’s not likely to be one for putting in your oil burner! We compared each tea tree oil’s benefits to its price tag. While some choices on our list may be more expensive, we wanted to give a wide range that would fit all needs and budgets. Based on all of these factors, we compiled this list of the best tea tree oils for a variety of uses.

Tea tree oil has been used as a traditional medicine by the Aboriginal people of Australia for centuries. These native Australians crush tea tree leaves to extract the oil, then inhale it to treat coughs and colds or apply it directly to the skin for healing.The INCI name for organic tea tree essential oil is Melaleuca alternifolia oil. Where does our tea tree essential oil originate from? Price Shirley & Len, Aromatherapy For Health Professionals, fourth edition. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2012