Benefits of Tea Tree Oil in Skin Care

Tea Tree Oil, originally discovered and derived from the tea trees in Australia, has been used for centuries by the Aboriginal people as a first-aid remedy for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities. In the 1920s, the skin care benefits were discovered, and Tea Tree Oil entered into the skin care industry as a miracle ingredient. In addition to its medicinal properties, Tea Tree Oil is incredibly effective for a myriad of skin care woes. Read on to find out more about what Tea Tree Oil is, how the essential oil is created, and how it can remedy your skin care concerns.

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree Oil is a product of Australia, derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree (also known as the tea tree). These trees, native to New South Wales and Queensland, produce Camphoraceous (think minty) leaves that have sometimes been used as a substitute for tea — hence the name. In the 1920s, Australian chemist Arthur Penfold popularized Tea Tree Oil by including it in his studies of essential oils, and it exploded into the mainstream market.

Tea Tree Oil contains high amounts of terpenes, meaning it’s highly aromatic; the vapor alone has been found to be useful as aromatherapy. Because the oil is so highly concentrated, it should not be applied directly to the skin without dilution in a skin-safe carrier oil such as Coconut, Almond, or Jojoba.

How is it made?

To extract Tea Tree Oil, crushed leaves from Melaleuca alternifolia trees are steamed and distilled. Then, the distillation is cooled and condensed to create the highly-concentrated Tea Tree Oil that is available for purchase.

History of Tea Tree Oil in skin care

While Arthur Penfold popularized tea tree essential oil, he was far from the first to discover its medicinal purposes. The Aboriginal people of Australia used Tea Tree Oil for centuries as an antiseptic, fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory ingredient. Skin wounds and conditions such as athlete’s foot, head lice, and bacterial infections are greatly reduced or even cured by the aromatic oil. Before the discovery of penicillin, Tea Tree Oil was such a crucial antiseptic that it was included in care kits for World War II soldiers. In fact, there are legends of lagoons in India that were natural healing pools because of the fallen leaves from the tea trees surrounding them, treating everything from skin infections to wounds.

In more recent decades, further benefits were discovered, specifically for your skin. The antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of Tea Tree Oil were found to be incredibly effective at fighting and healing acne.

Skin care benefits of Tea Tree Oil

There are plenty of other products on the market that help breakouts and treat acne, but they can often come with their own drawbacks. For example, Benzoyl Peroxide contains many of the same acne-reducing benefits as Tea Tree Oil, but in exchange, it can create dry, peeling skin, stinging, and even increased redness. Tea Tree Oil has been scientifically proven to be just as effective as Benzoyl Peroxide, but without the harsh side effects. So how does this natural ingredient benefit the skin?

Antibacterial

Antibacterial properties kill bacteria on the face, cleaning the skin and preventing infections and inflammation that exacerbate acne, and preventing new breakouts from forming.

Anti-inflammatory

As an anti-inflammatory, Tea Tree Oil reduces itchy skin, rosacea inflammation, and redness, which are all symptoms of contact dermatitis. When the inflammation is reduced, the skin is soothed and no longer shows a red, uneven appearance. However, in order to see this benefit, it’s crucial to have a diluted formula; pure Tea Tree Oil is incredibly concentrated and will actually create inflammation.

Antiseptic

When applied to broken skin, Tea Tree Oil disinfects the wound and fights off germs, preventing infection and speeding up the healing process. While this is used as a first-aid treatment, it also benefits the face by gently cleaning away germs on the surface of the skin that could cause acne or other skin conditions.

Helps oily skin

It may seem counterintuitive, but oil products actually help oily skin by moisturizing the skin and reducing sebum production. Tea Tree Oil balances the skin, reducing the skin’s need to produce extra oil to protect the surface.

Also helps dry skin

Tea Tree Oil’s anti-inflammatory qualities also help heal irritated skin by providing a light moisturization that protects the skin’s barrier without creating an oily appearance. While other acne-fighting skin care products dry out the skin, you won’t see that drawback with Tea Tree Oil.

Heals scars & dark spots

The healing properties of Tea Tree Oil also help heal scars and even out hyperpigmentation by fading and reducing their appearance, while also preventing new acne scars from appearing.

Things to keep in mind

While topical application of Tea Tree Oil is incredibly beneficial, it should never be ingested; it is toxic to humans and can cause adverse side effects like gastrointestinal issues, hallucinations, or even comas. In fact, one should avoid even using it near the mouth to avoid the risk. In addition, some people (such as pregnant women or those with hormone-sensitive cancers) may experience harmful reactions. When in doubt, consult your dermatologist to ensure that you only receive the benefits and no unexpected side effects.

In addition, when using tea tree essential oil at home, remember to always dilute it in a carrier oil, like Coconut, Almond, and Jojoba Oils. Alternatively, there are many great products available that already include Tea Tree Oil, created by skin care companies that expertly combine the perfect quantity of the oil in combination with other beneficial ingredients. For example, our toning serum contains just enough Tea Tree Oil (and other natural ingredients like Chamomile and Witch Hazel) to create a gentle, clarifying toner that doesn’t dry out the skin or cause irritation.

See how Tea Tree Oil can help your skin today

When incorporated into carefully-formulated products, Tea Tree Oil can give you the benefits of the ancient ingredient without the risks of trying to create your own home remedy. Thanks to years of research and expertise, you can incorporate Tea Tree Oil into your skin care routine with products that include Tea Tree Oil alongside other healthy ingredients. If you’re ready to see the results for yourself, pick up our Balance Restoring Serum and experience the magic of Tea Tree Oil today.