Tea Tree Oil for Acne: Benefits & How to Use It In addition to the research-proven products that target breakouts, such as exfoliants with BHA (salicylic acid), there are a handful of natural ingredients to combat acne-prone skin, of which tea tree oil is the most common. The question is whether or not a tea tree oil acne treatment is worth trying; if so, that leads to the next question: how do you use tea tree oil for acne-prone skin? As it turns out, tea tree oil does have some benefit for acne-prone skin – if you use the right concentration. However, conclusive research has not shown tea tree oil to be significantly better for acne-prone skin than for example a leave-on exfoliant with 2% salicylic acid. What is tea tree oil? Tea tree oil is a popular skincare ingredient with a distinctive herbal scent. However, it can be a double-edged sword for your skin. While some of tea tree oil’s compounds have been cited in research for helping improve symptoms common to those with breakout-prone skin, these benefits are less likely to transpire with the low concentrations of tea tree oil commonly used in skincare products. How does tea tree oil work? Pure tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree. Its herbal, slightly medicinal scent includes a mix of over 100 compounds! Some of these compounds are believed to calm factors in skin that contribute to how acne looks and feels. Research has shown that application of a 5% concentration of tea tree oil can reduce the number of papules and pustules – both types of breakouts that people with acne-prone skin usually experience. Is tea tree oil good for breakouts? The concentration is the sticking point: the highest concentration of tea tree oil we’ve seen in a cosmetic product is less than 0.5%, far below what research has shown is needed for skin to benefit. You may find higher concentrations of tea tree oil in health food stores. These tea tree oil products can contain up to 100% tea tree oil, although some products contain tea tree oil that has been diluted with a carrier oil. Check the label to see what percentage of tea tree oil the product contains. If you can find a strong enough concentration of tea tree oil, it’ll likely be too strong, which can trigger a sensitised reaction if you don’t dilute it before applying to skin. Among the 100 compounds in tea tree oil are fragrance ingredients like limonene, linalool, and eucalyptol, all believed to be responsible for skin reactions to tea tree oil. Our advice? Why take the risk or go through the guessing game of dilution when other over-the-counter (and many prescription) products for acne-prone skin can work with greater certainty? How to use tea tree oil for pimples? What if you still want to try tea tree oil for acne-prone skin? We understand the pull, especially if skincare products for breakouts and acne-prone skin haven't worked the way you hoped. If you decide to try tea tree oil, proceed with caution and stop using it if you see signs of irritation. Here’s how to use it: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser for breakout-prone skin. Apply a leave-on exfoliant with salicylic acid. Dispense a few drops of tea tree oil onto a damp cotton bud and dot it directly on breakouts. Alternatively, you can mix 5–6 drops of tea tree oil into a lightweight facial moisturiser and apply it to your entire face. As with any skincare routine, protect your skin every morning with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater. To sum up, when used in 100% concentration, tea tree oil’s scent can be overpowering, and its volatile components such as linalool, limonene, and eucalyptol can irritate skin. The irritation risk increases as tea tree oil oxidises (oxidation makes these volatile components even more potent). If you choose to use tea tree oil, tread cautiously and ensure proper storage that restricts exposure to air and light (i.e. packaging such as an opaque pump bottle). Learn more about acne-prone skin and breakouts.
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