Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in a variety of beauty treatments, especially those dedicated to fighting acne. Today we will try to help you understand why this particular oil is so effective so that you can decide whether you should use it to solve some skin problems.
This ingredient originates from Australia. It’s derived from a plant called Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil has been studied intensively and research proves that it does have some potent antibacterial properties. This is the major reason that explains why this element is so effective in treating acne, a condition caused by inflammation and bacteria.
In fact, the disinfecting properties of tea tree oil are so potent that it can combat some stems of Staphylococcus aureus, which causes a great number of health problems. It can also combat the yeast Candida albicans, so acne is not the only condition that can be treated using this particular oil. Even those suffering from herpes cold sores can use tea tree oil as studies prove it as effective against them as 5% acyclovir.
Should I Use Raw Tea Tree Oil?
Hearing about the efficiency of tea tree oil many girls start wondering whether they should use beauty products based on it or just oil itself as it can be easily bought at any drugstore or online. The best choice is to combine both, but use the latter with extreme care.
The trick is that this ingredient shows the best results in fighting acne if its concentrations are between 5% and 10%. The vast majority of beauty products contain about 1% of tea tree oil, so the ingredient’s efficiency is limited.
However, you shouldn’t forget that this is a fragrant oil, so applying its concentrated form on your skin can result in dermatitis and many other problems. This is the main reason why anti-acne treatments contain only a small portion of it. In addition, tea tree oil will make your face look oily and you can’t put any makeup on it.
Professionally formulated cosmetic products that contain tea tree oil may not provide such a fast result, but the positive changes they bring are more long lasting. Tea tree oil only destroys bacteria if applied topically, but specialized anti-acne creams treat the problem on different levels as well as prevent and reduce scarring.
The Bottom Line
Cosmetic products based on tea tree oil can be only marginally effective against acne and similar conditions because the concentration of the ingredient in them is extremely low. However, using ‘pure’ oil is not an option either as this can deal more damage to your skin.
If you really want to get rid of acne, you should use specialized treatments formulated by professionals. You also shouldn’t forget that your diet and lifestyle affect the condition of your skin. To ensure that it stays unblemished, you should eat a well-balanced diet full of antioxidants. You also should reduce intake of sugar and processed foods. Regular exercise will benefit you as well because it will improve your circulation and strengthen your body as a whole.
