Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant, native to Australia. You'll find tea tree oil present in concentrations from 1 to as much as 10 percent in cosmetics such as shampoos, lotions and creams. You can also purchase pure tea tree oil, which may be labeled as an "essential oil," to mix with your own cosmetics or for use undiluted. Before you use tea tree oil for the first time, be sure to perform a patch test to identify whether you might be sensitive to it.
Patch Test
Step 1
Drop one or two drops of pure tea tree oil on the absorbent pad of a small adhesive bandage. If you know you have very sensitive skin, dilute one drop of tea tree oil in four drops of a carrier oil (olive oil works well) and apply this instead of pure tea tree oil.
Step 2
Apply the bandage to your upper back.
Step 3
Leave the adhesive bandage in place for 12 to 24 hours if possible, then remove and inspect the skin it had covered in the mirror. If no redness or swelling has resulted, your skin is unlikely to react adversely to the tea tree oil and you can safely use the oil in the concentration you tested.
Direct Application
Step 1
Mix a single drop of tea tree oil with four drops of carrier oil in a small bowl. You can increase the amounts, keeping the same proportion, to produce a larger quantity of 20 percent tea tree oil, or skip this step if you prefer to use the tea tree oil undiluted.
Step 2
Use an eye dropper to apply the oil mixture to the affected skin, then cover with an adhesive bandage; or apply directly to the bandage ,then put the bandage on the affected skin.
Step 3
Leave the bandage in place until the tea tree oil mixture has completely absorbed.
Indirect Application
Step 1
Mix from 1 to 10 drops of tea tree oil into your favorite cream or lotion. Only use 10 drops in very large containers, and if you are in doubt as to how much you can tolerate, start with 1 drop and work your way up.
Step 2
Stir the cream or lotion with a tongue depressor to thoroughly incorporate the tea tree oil.
Step 3
Apply the cream or lotion as usual. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in use, as tea tree oil will evaporate quickly.
Tips and Warnings
- A doctor can perform a real patch test for you if you're concerned about sensitivity to tea tree oil; the procedure outlined here in Section 1 is an approximation of the standard patch test that you can perform yourself at home, but should not be used for diagnosis.
- Even small amounts of tea tree oil may be toxic to small children. Don't use it while pregnant, and seek a medical professional's advice before using a diluted tea tree oil solution on babies or toddlers.
Things You'll Need
- Tea tree oil
- Adhesive bandage
- Olive oil or other carrier oil
- Small bowl
- Eye dropper
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