Tea tree serums and oils are some of the safest natural treatments of a wide range of skin issues and are used widely in skin care products. Due to its various antiseptic and anti-fungal properties and infection-reducing benefits, it’s a common ingredient in everything from deodorants and shampoos to acne treating creams, toners, masks, and so on. So, how to use tea tree serums and oils?
What is tea tree and what is it used for?
This is the Melaleuca alternofolia tree or tall shrub, commonly known as narrow-leaved Tea tree, which is native to Australia and has been used in traditional medicine by the indigenous Bundjalung people in the eastern part of the country for centuries. They inhale the oils from the crushed leaves to treat colds and coughs or apply them on wounds, burns and other skin problems. The essential oil, extracted from the tree is commercially used as a topical antibacterial and can be easily found on the market.
What are the benefits from tea tree oil?
This essential oil is known to be an antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, cicatrisant (it heals wounds quickly and protects them from infections), expectorant (relieves cough, cold, bronchitis, and congestion), fungicide, insecticide, stimulant and sudorific (increases sweating and helps removal of toxins). The tea tree oil is surprisingly versatile – it’s not only used for its healing properties, but also as an all-purpose cleaner. It helps heal and soothe sunburns and infections; relieves itchiness and reduces rashes; treats acne and reduces its appearance; soothes insect bites and works as an antiseptic on small cuts; treats psoriasis, toenail fungus, warts and many others. However, it can be used also as a cleaner, when mixed with water, cleaning and freshening carpets, kitchens and bathrooms. So, do not be surprised to find a detergent with a tea tree label in the supermarket.
How to use it at home?
Besides using tea tree oils in a DIY skin care ointments or as an ingredient in cosmetic products, you can clean mold at home. Mix it with apple cider vinegar and scrub mild from all kinds of surfaces. You can freshen the laundry by adding a few drops in your washing machine to scent the clothes, or if you forgot the put the laundry in dryer, you can wash it once again with a bit of tea tree oil to remove mildew. It cleans almost everything – put a couple of teaspoons of it in a spray bottle and fill it with water. This will keep your home naturally clean and fresh, without having to use chemically-based, allergenic cleaners.
How to make a DIY skincare remedy?
Use tea tree oils to clear acne – mix several drops of 5% solution with 20 drops of witch hazel and apply to skin once or twice a day after cleansing. You can sooth sores with pure tea tree oil by applying it directly on to the skin with a cotton swab. One of its most popular uses is treating toenail fungus, but for this, you will need 100% pure tea tree oil, which is applied on the nail once or twice a day for at least three months. You can’t expect to cure it faster – it’s very tough to eliminate even with prescription creams and ointments. If you mix a few drops of tea tree essential oil with a tablespoon of olive oil, you can treat chicken pox by applying this to the sores two or three times a day.
The oil is very effective in relieving itch and softening plaque in mild cases of psoriasis. Apply the diluted in little olive oil tea tree oil to the affected areas several times a day. Mix 5 drops of the oil with 5 drops of lavender essential oil and then add a few drops of distilled water – applied with a cotton swab, this treats yeast infections.
As tea tree oil is poisonous if taken orally, use it only as a topical product, but don’t overuse – the 100% solution is very strong and can cause skin redness and irritation in some people. Try to mix it with other essential oils and basic oil such as olive oil to prevent this minor allergenic. It blends well with cinnamon, clary sage, clove, geranium, lavender, myrrh, nutmeg, rosewood, rosemary, and thyme essential oils.
Cosmetic products with tea tree oils
There are plenty of products that have tea tree oil as an ingredient. To choose from the wide range of items, you identify your skin problem first and then look for the solution.
100% Pure Tea Tree Oil
The pure tea tree oil is best for home-made remedies and the one featured on the right is one of the highest quality you may find on the market. It’s natural and does not contain parabens, glycols, SLS, phthalates, silicones, EDTA or petroleum, so it’s perfectly safe for external use. For $31.95 you can stock with five bottles from here.
Shine Control & Blemish Clear Serum
This serum can be used to balance oily skin – it reduces the production of sebum, clearing the skin pores and preventing acne and infection. It significantly improves the appearance of the skin and helps collagen production. You may order it here for $23.
Pore Refiner Primer with Tea Tree
This product contains not only tea tree oil, but also lavender oil and linseed extract for a more powerful effect. It slows down oil production and refines the pores, while creating the perfect even skin. You can use it on its own or before makeup, and you can order it in a tinted formula, as well.
This set contains a facial cleanser, an acne treatment concentrate, and a medicated moisturizer – the complete system for effectively combating acne. Using it twice a day will cleanse the skin without irritating, normalize the oily skin, fight the acne and blemishes. The moisturizer is a light cream that doesn’t clog the pores and has anti-aging benefits.
This is a serum with tea tree oil that helps reduce blemishes and inflamed skin on the face and all over the body. It can be used for all skin types and all ages, so it’s perfect even for women with problem skin in their 40s. It also contains witch hazel and vitamin E.
I just add 30 drops of tea tree oil to my regular face wash and watch the magic happen.