How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne – Expert Guide

Is acne your biggest skin concern? Does your acne leave behind scars that don’t fade away with time? If yes, then you are not alone. As many as 90 percent of the world population is affected by acne at some point in their life.

What’s worse is that research has shown that acne can affect a person’s self-esteem and confidence. Acne can cause a lot of anxiety and the medications used to treat acne often result in side-effects of their own.

So, the question becomes - Is there a way to treat acne naturally? 

And, the answer is using Tea Tree Oil for acne

tea tree oil for acne

You might have noticed Tea Tree Oil becoming a popular ingredient in skin care products and it’s not without reason. Tea tree oil is a natural way of curing skin ailments. It is capable of treating a wide range of problems be it blisters on your skin, or cold sores or hair fall or even acne. 

Native to Australia, the pure essential oil of Tea Tree is prepared by distilling the leaves of a tree named as Melaleuca Alternifolia. This oil is a well-known topical antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment with superb acne fighting properties. 

tea tree oil for skin

Let’s now understand how tea tree oil actually works on the skin to prevent and treat acne.

How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne Spots?

Applying tea tree oil to acne spots can be an effective way to harness its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it's important to use it correctly to avoid skin irritation. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Dilute the Tea Tree Oil: 

Pure tea tree oil is potent and can be harsh on the skin if applied directly. Dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil. A general guideline is to mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts carrier oil.

  1. Perform a Patch Test: 

Before applying it to your face, do a patch test on a small area of your skin, like the inside of your elbow, to ensure you don't have an allergic reaction.

  1. Cleanse Your Face:

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and excess oil. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

  1. Apply the Oil to Acne Spots: 

Using a cotton swab or a clean fingertip, apply a small amount of the diluted tea tree oil directly onto the acne spots. Avoid rubbing or spreading it over large areas of the skin.

  1. Leave it On: 

Allow the oil to penetrate your skin. There's no need to rinse it off as it should absorb naturally. However, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to rinse it off after 20-30 minutes to avoid irritation.

  1. Moisturize: 

After the tea tree oil has been absorbed, follow up with a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

  1. Repeat: 

You can apply diluted tea tree oil to your acne spots 1-2 times a day. However, if you notice any redness, burning, or irritation, reduce the frequency or discontinue use.

  1. Monitor Your Skin's Response: 

Pay attention to how your skin reacts over the next few days. If you notice improvement without irritation, you can continue using it as part of your skincare routine.

Remember, while tea tree oil can be effective for mild acne, it might not be suitable for more severe cases. In such instances, it's best to consult with a dermatologist for appropriate treatment.

How Does Tea Tree Oil Help With Acne?

Acne develops when dirt, oil or bacteria gets accumulated in our pores. Those of us who have larger pores are at a greater risk of developing acne. 

If you're dealing with acne, it might be because your skin is making too much oil and not shedding dead skin cells properly. This can clog your pores. 

 acne caused by bacteria


Also, a bacteria called propionibacterium could be causing redness and swelling, and it's tough to get rid of. Here’s how tea tree oil works on acne -  

 

1. Attacking Acne-Causing Bacteria

Tea tree oil's primary weapon against acne is its ability to combat bacteria. It contains a potent component called terpene, which is effective in killing the microbial action on the skin. 

Specifically, terpene targets Propionibacterium, the bacteria primarily responsible for acne formation. This action not only treats existing acne but also prevents future breakouts. 

Studies have shown that terpinen-4-ol, a major component of tea tree oil, is particularly effective in treating acne, potentially more so than traditional chemical treatments like benzoyl peroxide.


2. Cleansing and Preventing Clogged Pores

Tea tree oil goes beyond just eliminating bacteria. It also acts as a natural cleanser, penetrating and unclogging pores. This is crucial because clogged pores, filled with oil and dead skin cells, are prime spots for acne formation. 

Unlike some cleansers that can't penetrate oil-filled pores, tea tree oil mixes with the natural oils produced by the skin, allowing it to cleanse these pores deeply and effectively.

3. Regulating Sebum Production

For those with oily skin, a common contributor to acne, tea tree oil can be a game-changer. It helps regulate sebum production, reducing the likelihood of excessive oiliness. By controlling sebum levels, tea tree oil minimizes the chances of pores becoming clogged with oil, which is a key factor in acne development.

4. Accelerating Skin Healing

Tea tree oil is not just about prevention; it also aids in healing. Its properties inhibit the growth of harmful parasites and bacteria on the skin, promoting a faster healing process. This is particularly beneficial for those trapped in a cycle of recurring acne.

5. Treats Acne Scars

Recent studies, including one from PubMed in 2015, have highlighted tea tree oil's effectiveness in minimizing the appearance of hypertrophic acne scarring. This suggests that tea tree oil can be a supportive treatment in conjunction with other dermatological procedures for acne scars.

If you’re convinced that the tea tree oil is a natural healer and one of the safest ways of curing acne, let’s explore how to actually use it to get rid of acne.


Also read - How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Dark Spots?

Other Ways To Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne

Tea tree oil does not cause side-effects when used in low concentrations on the skin. But if used directly in high concentration, it might cause irritation.

Before using it as a remedy for your acne, first dab a drop of it onto your skin, if it doesn't cause any irritation or redness then, you can carry on with your remedy preparation. Otherwise, dilute it to the extent that your skin does not react to it. 

Now, let's dig deep into it to explore the best and doable ways of getting rid of acne on the skin by using tea tree oil. 

1. Diluting Tea Tree Oil with Honey

Honey is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which makes it useful for treating acne when combined with tea tree oil. It also soothes acne spots and improves overall complexion.

To prepare the mask, blend honey and tea tree oil into a smooth mixture. Store this blend in a glass container to keep it safe from extreme temperatures. To apply, use a cotton swab or earbud to gently dab the mixture onto the acne spots. 

Let it sit for several hours before rinsing off with warm water and gently patting your face dry. This remedy is versatile and can be used either during the day or at night, depending on what works best for your routine.

2. Diluting Tea Tree Oil with Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a well-known healer of the skin. If most skin care products tend to dry out your skin, you should use aloe vera and tea tree oil together to treat your acne. Simply scoop out fresh aloe vera gel from the leaf of the aloe vera plant and add a few drops of tea tree oil to it. 

To apply, rub a small amount onto clean skin at night before bed. Make sure your hands are clean before dipping into the container. Rinse with warm water in the morning.

3. Diluting Tea Tree Oil with a carrier oil

You can use Tea Tree Oil after diluting with a carrier oil such as Coconut Oil, Almond Oil or Sesame oil. 

Add one or two drops of essential oil to a teaspoon of your chosen career oil and blend well. When combined, Coconut oil and Tea tree oil produce a magic combination, effective in reducing redness, rashes and acne.

tea tree oil for acne

4. Making A Tea Tree Oil Scrub

If you're struggling with clogged pores, a homemade scrub can be more effective than face masks. You can easily create a tea tree oil scrub with ingredients from your kitchen. Here's a simple recipe:

You'll need:

  • ½ cup of sugar
  • ¼ cup of coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of organic honey
  • 10 drops of tea tree oil

Combine all these ingredients in a bowl and mix them thoroughly. Gently massage the scrub onto your skin in circular motions for 2-5 minutes, focusing on areas with clogged pores. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry.

After scrubbing, it's crucial to apply a moisturizer. Scrubbing deeply cleanses and opens up your pores, which, while beneficial for removing impurities, can also make your skin more vulnerable to bacteria and fungi. Moisturizing helps to protect your skin by sealing these open pores and keeping your skin hydrated.

Pro tip - If making your own tea tree oil scrub at home is too much trouble, we have the perfect scrub for you that combines tea tree oil with natural exfoliators Walnut Shell Powder and Sugar. It also has powerful anti-acne ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Neem, Holy Basil and Calendula.

tea tree oil scrub for acne

5. Add tea tree oil to your cleanser

Incorporating tea tree oil into your daily skincare routine can be as simple as adding it to your cleanser or moisturizer. 

Simply add 2-6 drops of the oil to your regular cleanser, adjusting the quantity based on how sensitive your skin is. When using the cleanser, massage it gently onto your skin in circular motions, which helps the tea tree oil absorb effectively. 

However, be careful around the eyes to prevent irritation. This method is especially useful for those with acne-prone skin and can be safely incorporated into your daily skincare regimen.

If you're uncertain about how tea tree oil will interact with your current cleanser, consider trying a specialized product like our Anti-Acne Cleansing Foam, which already contains tea tree oil as a key ingredient for combating acne.

tea tree oil cleanser for acne

Read - Which Is The Best Face Wash For Pimples and Marks?

6. Add Tea tree Oil To Your Bath

If you’ve acne on your chest, back and other parts of the body, then you should try this method.

You need to add a few drops of tea tree oil in a bucket of water or Jacuzzi/bath-tub. This will alleviate congestion and add fragrance to your bathing experience. You can try this method once a week as too much use of tea tree oil can cause some side effects. 

Also read - 8 Ways To Use Tea Tree Oil For Healthy Hair

FAQs about Tea Tree Oil For Acne

In the next segment, we will answer your most common doubts related to using tea tree oil for acne. Let’s get started.

How to use tea tree oil for acne scars?

Acne scars are caused when acne penetrates deep into your skin, whereas active acne is limited to skin pores. Studies on tea tree oil have suggested its effectiveness on mild to moderate acne only. But, you can try reducing your acne scars by using tea tree oil and aloe vera mixture.

How to dilute tea tree oil for acne?

For diluting tea tree oil for acne you need to mix it with any carrier oil (coconut oil, sesame oil or almond oil), aloe vera gel, warm water or honey. 

Which is the best tea tree oil for acne in India?

It’s recommended to use 100% pure and natural tea tree oil for best results. In India, Kama Ayurveda offers Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil that is 100% percent natural and clears out acne and pimples.

Alternatively, you can also explore. Kama Ayurvedas’s Anti-Acne range. It has a Tea Tree oil based cleanser, a natural toner and a face pack to help you get rid of acne. 

Can tea tree oil cause any side effects?

Well, tea tree oil is a safe option for most people but can result in symptoms like redness, swelling or irritation in some cases. Always perform a patch test before using the product extensively.

Can I put tea tree oil directly on my skin?

If you've performed the patch test and your skin didn’t show any sign of irritation, then you can directly apply it on your skin in small quantities. Otherwise, it is recommended to dilute the tea tree oil and then use it for topical application.

Conclusion

Ayurveda considers Tea Tree Oil as a must-have essential oil in your medicine cabinet. Don’t miss out on such a valuable essential oil as you have got a chance of curing your acne without any chemicals.

Once your acne cycle is on the onset, you are advised to keep a clean cloth/handkerchief always with you as a failure in maintenance of cleanliness on your part would result in worsening the situation. Reduce the intake of oily food items to further increase the speed of recovery.

References:

  1. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.htm
  2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
  3. https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijdrt/journal-of-dermatology-research-and-therapy-ijdrt-2-032.php?jid=ijdr#
  4. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-113/tea-tree-oil