Tea tree oil is often used to treat acne because it is one of the most powerful, anti-infectious essential oils in the Myrataceae plant family. If acne is left untreated, it can form depressed acne scars that may require surgery. Consult a qualified health professional before using tea tree oil to treat acne.
Acne
Acne affects both teenagers and adults, forming painful red lumps and bumps on the skin that become inflamed, red and tender to touch. Bacteria, overproduction of sebum and irregular dead skin cell shedding are the three main causes of acne. Acne scars form when acne is left untreated. Tea tree oil is believed to be an effective treatment for controlling and treating an outbreak of acne.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves of the tea tree. According to Julia Lawless in "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils," tea tree oil is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, bactericidal, fungicidal and anti-infectious. Valerie Ann Worwood in "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," writes that tea tree oil not only fights infection but also rebalances the skin.
Clinical Studies
Shirley and Len Price in "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals," write that tea tree oil was compared to benzoyl peroxide in a 1990 single-blind randomized study on 124 people who had acne. The study was conducted by Bassett, Pannowitz and Barnetson and published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Although significant improvement was noted in the use of both treatments, those people who had used tea tree oil suffered less side effects than those people who had used benzoyl peroxide.
How to Use
Patricia Davis in "Aromatherapy: An A-Z," recommends using tea tree oil as a skin wash to treat acne. She also recommends applying undiluted tea tree oil on acne spots to reduce redness and pain. You can also mix tea tree oil with a base oil, such as jojoba oil, and apply to the skin to treat mild acne scars. According to Len Price in "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage," jojoba oil is also useful in the treatment of acne.
Cautions
In general, tea tree oil is not an irritant and is not toxic. However, although Davis recommends using tea tree oil undiluted on the skin, she also cautions that if you have sensitive skin, you may experience a reaction, such as itchiness or inflammation. Use tea tree oil to treat acne before scarring occurs. Although tea tree oil may be used to treat mild acne scars, depressed acne scars usually require surgery. Consult a health professional for advice before using tea tree oil.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Acne
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils"; Julia Lawless; 1995
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie Ann Worwood; 1991
- "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals": Shirley Price, Len Price; 2002
- "Aromatherapy: An A-Z"; Patricia Davis; 1999
- "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage"; Len Price; 1999
Member Comments