Tea Tree Oil has beauty and health applications that make it a powerful multi-tasker in your beauty arsenal.
The lovely Flowering Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia
Tea Tree leaves are crushed to obtain the oil. Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree, is not a source of green tea leaves. Tea tree oil is also called melaleuca oil. We use these terms interchangeably. This natural remedy oil has many useful applications. It is a potent essential oil and almost always requires dilution.
Here are ways to use Tea Tree Oil for scalp health, hair loss, acne, moisturizing skin and to prevent razor burn.
TEA TREE OIL For HAIR
Tea Tree Oil for Hair Growth
Melaleuca oil doesn’t directly cause hair growth, but it removes hair growth barriers. It induces hair growth by unclogging hair follicles and nourishing roots. It also helps prevent hair loss and hair fall.
To use Tea Tree Oil for hair growth, first choose a carrier oil. Jojoba, safflower, grapeseed, and almond are a good choices for hair and scalp care. Add a few drops of Melaleuca oil and massage it into the scalp. It should tingle, but not burn. Straight Tea Tree Oil is too potent for direct contact with the scalp.
When first using Tea Tree Oil, hair may seem a bit dry, this is normal until the scalp finds a balance. If hair seems dry, use less Tea Tree and focus the massage treatments directly on the scalp.
Tea Tree Oil for Dandruff
Melaleuca oil is useful on dandruff when used as a toner or by adding a few drops of melaleuca Oil in shampoo. It reduces dandruff severity, itchiness and greasiness. [1]
Flowering Tea Tree
TEA TREE OIL For SKIN CARE
Tea Tree Oil for Acne
Melaleuca oil contains terpinen-4-ol, which is an amazing antibacterial and antifungal.[2,3]
It is also a moisturizing toner, cleanser and astringent. It effectively treats acne and prevents future breakouts [4]. It is not drying like other acne-treating ingredients, so it is effective on sensitive skin and adult acne. It even treats cystic acne.
Melaleuca oil for acne is gentler than other remedies.[5] It does not irritate the skin, it stops breakouts. It does not preclude using anti-aging treatments on same areas.
How to Treat Acne with Tea Tree Oil
There are two ways to use Melaleuca oil for acne.
- The first way is to mix a ratio of 90% water to 10% Tea Tree Oil and dab it on the spot with a Q-tip or cotton ball, twice a day.
- The second way is to combine one teaspoon of Aloe Vera Gel with two drops of Melaleuca oil and apply the mixture to acne with a q-tip. Let it dry fully, wait a few minutes, and wash with warm water followed by moisturizer.
Melaleuca oil can gently treat acne breakouts but is gentler on the skin than benzoyl peroxide. It also heals while it treats so there is less dry, flaky, red skin after acne treatment.
Melaleuca oil for Dry Skin
Treat dry skin with Almond Oil and Melaleuca oil and gently massage it into skin ten minutes before bathing. It is also an excellent natural treatment for contact dermatitis [6] and psoriasis [7].
Melaleuca oil and Shaving
Melaleuca oil added to water can lather and used for shaving. It moisturizes the skin and can soothe the skin after waxing or threading. Melaleuca oil prevents razor irritation or a razor burn rash. Add Melaleuca oil to your regular shave cream, oil or soap to pre-empt the razor burn.
Other Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory
- Wound healing
- Clears Nail infection
- Natural (diluted) mouthwash
- Use diluted as a wash to inhibit mold on fruit!!
Tea Tree plant offers many natural remedy benefits including an effective gentle acne treatment
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References
- Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 Dec;47(6):852-5. doi: 10.1067/mjd.2002.122734. PMID: 12451368.
- Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006 Jan;19(1):50-62. doi: 10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006. PMID: 16418522; PMCID: PMC1360273.
- Li WR, Li HL, Shi QS, Sun TL, Xie XB, Song B, Huang XM. The dynamics and mechanism of the antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil against bacteria and fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2016 Oct;100(20):8865-75. doi: 10.1007/s00253-016-7692-4. Epub 2016 Jul 7. Erratum in: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2017 Mar;101(5):2201. PMID: 27388769.
- Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Aust. 1990 Oct 15;153(8):455-8. PMID: 2145499.
- Ibid
- Wallengren J. Tea tree oil attenuates experimental contact dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2011 Jul;303(5):333-8. doi: 10.1007/s00403-010-1083-y. Epub 2010 Sep 24. PMID: 20865268.
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R. Tea tree oil as a novel antipsoriasis weapon. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012;25(3):162-3. doi: 10.1159/000337936. Epub 2012 Apr 3. PMID: 22473218.
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The Style Chicks personally researches each ingredient we feature. Our research comes from respected, peer reviewed medical and scientific journals.