Tea tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia, is a tree native to parts of Australia. Tea tree oil has been marketed and touted as one of the best all-natural products that can help combat acne and soothe acne-prone skin.

Tea tree; Source: Wikipedia

In this article, we will tell you why tea tree oil is good for you and your pimples, how you can incorporate tea tree oil into your beauty routine, and what you should avoid when using it.

In This Article

The Good
The Bad
The Use
1. Belif
2. Derma E
3. Lush
4. The Body Shop
5. Thursday Plantation
6. Wild Products

The Good

According to Organic Facts, tea tree oil has properties of being antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, cicatrizant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant, and a sudorific substance. So what do all these terms mean?

In short, tea tree oil will help eliminate Propionibacterium acnes (or P. acnes), the bacteria that causes acne breakouts. The oil will also help to decongest the pore, speed up healing, and diminish scars left behind by the unwanted pimples.

Having cleaner pores that is rid of the acne bacteria will definitely aid you in achieving that flawless and pimple-less skin you desire.

The Bad

As with any product, we have to be careful with how we use it because we can get adverse reactions to them. These are some potential issues with tea tree oil that you should be aware of.

Practise caution: Natural products does not always mean it will definitely be safe for you to use. Do a patch test first before using tea tree oil to ensure that you are not allergic nor will you experience adverse reactions to it.
Toxic when ingested: Tea tree oil is toxic to the body and must only be applied topically (on the skin) and not ingested.
Sensitising skin: Tea tree oil has the potential to make the skin more sensitive, so do use in moderation and always use sunblock with proper UV protection.
Be realistic: Not everyone will be able to use tea tree oil or get the same results, so be patient or consult a medical professional if the acne does not get better.

The Use

Here are some ways we recommend you to use tea tree oil for your face:

As a spot-treatment: Dispense a few drops of the tea tree oil on a cotton bud or swab, and apply on those blemishes directly.
Mix with moisturiser: This tip from Paula’s Choice recommends you to mix a few drops of the oil with a lightweight moisturiser and apply the mixture on your skin.
Mix with water: You can mix a few drops with your water and splash them over your skin as the last step of your cleansing routine.
Lastly, you can layer your routine with skincare products that contain tea tree oil. We’ve recommended 6 below!

With all these information in mind, read on to see the six products containing tea tree oil that we recommend. They’re all available in Singapore too!

Do you have any cherished tea tree products that you swear by? Let us know in the comment box!