Do you struggle with acne-prone skin? Many people try to use chemical-based face washes and topical creams to eliminate blemishes. However, there is an all-natural way to fight acne. It's on of the awesome tea tree oil benefits you can easily enjoy!
Tea tree oil is one of nature's little miracles. This simple, all-natural essential oil can be used to help achieve clear skin and healthy hair.
Let's take a look at what tea tree oil is good for, how you can benefit from it, and how to safely use it to get the healthy skin and hair of your dreams.
What is Tea Tree Oil Good For?
Tea tree oil is not a new invention. It was widely used by the native Australian aborigines as an antiseptic and antifungal. The tea tree is native to Australia and got its name from 18th-century sailors who used the leaves of the tree to make tea.
However, the popularity of its use has grown since World War II. During the war, there was a widespread outbreak of foot fungus in hospitalized Australian soldiers. Doctors tried every medical solution they could. When they had given up hope, an aborigine suggested applying tea tree oil to the infected areas. Within days, the fungal infection disappeared.
The oil is extracted by steaming the leaves and bark of the tea tree.
But what else is tea tree essential oil good for?
Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal. It is also naturally:
- Antiseptic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
These attributes are what give tea tree oil its wide variety of medicinal and disinfecting purposes.
For example, tea tree oil is often used as an all-natural sanitizer. Scientific studies show that it is effective at killing many different germs. This includes viruses and bacteria like E. coli, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae, which are the culprits behind many common illnesses like the cold and flu. Using tea tree oil as a hand sanitizer is one way to help prevent disease and infection.
Tea tree oil is also a potent and all-natural insect repellent. It smells similar to nutmeg. It has a vibrant and spicy aroma. Scientific studies suggest that it may be more effective at repelling flies and mosquitoes than the harsh, human-made chemical, DEET.
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil make it perfect for use in all-natural deodorants. Tea tree oil works to fight the bacteria in sweat. While sweat itself doesn't naturally smell bad, the bacteria in sweat can lead to a smelly funk. If you prefer natural deodorant, tea tree oil can be combined with other basic ingredients to fight smelly bacteria and keep you smelling fresh all day long.
Because tea tree oil is naturally antiseptic, it is perfect for use in first aid situations.
While you wouldn't want to pour it on an open wound, it can help prevent infection in minor cuts and scrapes. You will want to make sure you dilute it before applying it to the wound. After cleaning the wound with good, old-fashioned soap and water, mix some tea tree oil with coconut oil and apply it to the affected area.
Not only does tea tree oil help prevent infection, but it can also promote and accelerate wound healing. Because it can help reduce inflammation, it may trigger an increase in white blood cells in a wounded area. These white blood cells are essential to the healing process.
Tea tree oil can also be used as an all-natural, chemical-free mouthwash. Because it is an effective, all-natural sanitizer, it can also help kill germs in the mouth that cause bad breath. Although it may not help prevent the buildup of plaque, a warm water and tea tree oil mouthwash can help fight tooth decay and bad breath.
If you're looking for an all-natural, all-purpose household cleaner, tea tree oil may be just the solution for you. Instead of spraying your hard surfaces with harsh chemicals, try using a tea tree oil based cleaning solution. Mix up a few drops of it with warm water and some apple cider vinegar for the perfect, all-natural cleaning solution. With tea tree oil, make sure to rinse the cleansed area after, as it can be toxic to animals in large doses.
Tea tree oil can also promote healthy skin and hair. It can be used to treat conditions like:
- Psoriasis
- Athlete's foot
- Dandruff
- Acne
- Nail fungus
It's natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties make it the perfect, all-natural solution for many skin and hair conditions. Just make sure to dilute it before applying directly to the skin or scalp.
Top Tea Tree Oil Benefits for Skin
Now that you understand the wide variety of uses for tea tree oil, let's take a closer look at how your skin can benefit from it.
Tea tree oil can help relieve dry skin and eczema. The oil soothes dry, scratchy skin by reducing itching and irritation. Try mixing a few drops of the essential oil into your regular moisturizer. You can apply it one to two times per day for relief.
Tea tree oil isn't just good for dry, scratchy skin. It can also help regulate oily skin. Try mixing a few drops into your moisturizer or look for a toner with tea tree oil in the ingredients. Others prefer to mix it with some clay to make an all-natural face mask. Using it regularly in your skin regimen can help control and combat oily skin.
Tea tree oil can also be effective in treating and controlling acne. It helps to calm redness and reduce swelling and inflammation. Because it naturally boosts healing, it may also help to prevent and reduce scarring from acne.
Don't forget about the skin on your head – the scalp! Tea tree oil can also be used to reinvigorate the scalp and treat dandruff. It can help remove the buildup of chemicals and dead skin from the scalp that often cause itching and dandruff. Using it on your scalp can also help your hair stay healthy and moisturized.
When Should You Use Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil can be used at any time throughout the day. It should be applied to fresh, clean skin for maximum effect. Many people like to use tea tree oil products during or after a shower. Try incorporating it into your regular face care regimen.
Tea tree oil can be added to sunscreens, lotions, and toners – its uses are nearly limitless! You don't need to worry about adverse reactions in the sun. Simply apply to the skin and let it absorb before layering on more moisturizers or makeup.
Avoiding Tea Tree Oil Burns
Although tea tree oil is good for the skin, you need to follow a few rules when using it. Tea tree oil burns are a very real, painful thing, but they are easy to avoid.
There are many different over-the-counter products available that contain tea tree oil. These products dilute the oil for you.
However, pure tea tree essential oil cannot be applied directly to the skin. Always make sure you dilute the tea tree oil before using it. Try mixing it with a base oil, like coconut oil. You can also dilute it in aloe vera or apple cider vinegar.
If you'd simply like to incorporate tea tree oil into your current products, you can try adding it to your shampoos or lotions.
In general, you should dilute the tea tree oil to a concentration of 5%.
How Do Tea Tree Oil Benefits Work for Hair?
Tea tree oil doesn't just help with the visible skin on your body. It can also help promote a healthy scalp.
So how exactly does your scalp benefit from tea tree oil?
If you struggle with dandruff, it may be the result of a minor fungal infection. Because tea tree oil is naturally anti-fungal, it can help eliminate this cause of dandruff. Using a shampoo with tea tree oil can help boost the health of your scalp and promote healthy hair growth.
You may also have an itchy scalp due to psoriasis. This condition causes inflammation of the skin that leads to itchy, red patches of skin. Tea tree oil may help reduce the inflammation and relieve some of the irritating symptoms associated with psoriasis.
Tea tree oil can also help give the scalp a good, deep cleanse. Over time, products and dead skin can build up on the scalp. This buildup doesn't just result in a flaky scalp; it can also clog pores and slow the growth of new, healthy hair. Tea tree oil can open up the pores on your scalp and reinvigorate growth.
Tea tree oil is a versatile, all-natural solution for many problems. This powerful essential oil might be the perfect addition to your cleaning or beauty routine. Whether you use it to clean your house or to reduce and prevent acne, it is an excellent alternative to harsh, human-made chemicals. Try substituting your synthetic products with this all-natural solution. You might be amazed at the results that you see.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-113/tea-tree-oil
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-tree-oil
https://www.healthline.com/health/tea-tree-oil-for-skin
https://www.healthline.com/health/tea-tree-oil-for-hair
Comments
Loading…