When To Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Skincare Routine?

Tea tree oil may already sound familiar to you. It’s one of the most common essential oils on the market, and most people swear by its effectiveness in treating a lot of skin-related concerns!

If you are prone to acne breakouts and popular skincare products don’t work for you, then you may want to include tea tree oil in your skincare routine.

But we know you have plenty of questions:

• When to use tea tree oil in skincare routine?
• What does it do for your skin?
• What are the dos and dont’s?

Read on for answers to these questions and more.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Sure, let’s tackle the most fundamental question first: what exactly is tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is predominantly found in Australia. This oil is celebrated for its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic qualities, making it a powerful ally in fighting acne and helping to prevent future breakouts.

That said, tea tree oil isn’t everyone’s favorite, especially among those with acne-prone skin. Its reputation can be affected by its strong, camphor-like aroma, which might be too intense for individuals sensitive to scents. However, if you can handle the fragrance, the advantages of using tea tree oil often outweigh the unpleasant smell.

Tea Tree Oil Benefits

1. It works on comedonal and inflammatory acne

Unlike some other anti-acne ingredients in the market, tea tree Oil is not picky on what kind of acne it purges.

Whether you suffer from comedonal acne (blackheads, whiteheads, small blemishes) or inflammatory acne (angry, big, red pimples), tea tree oil will work both of them.

In fact, it’s been studied that tea tree oil is as effective as one of the most common acne-fighting skincare ingredients, benzoyl peroxide.

A study published in Medical Journal of Australia compared the effects of 5% tea tree oil with 5% benzoyl peroxide. It found that the former has less drying side effects than the latter while delivering similar results.

2. Anti-inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory effects of tea tree oil help soothe the inflammatory cascades that stimulate redness and skin irritability.

According to research, tea tree oil effectively reduces inflamed skin that is caused by sensitivity to nickel. Note, however, the study used pure tea tree oil on skin while we usually would have diluted the oil with a carrier oil before application, so results may differ in reality.

3. Kills bacteria

Acne is caused in part because of the presence of p.acnes bacteria on the skin. Tea Tree Oil has a comprehensive antimicrobial activity, including being powerful against p.acnes bacteria, and even staphylococcus aureus (AKA staph)!

When To Use Tea Tree Oil in Skincare Routine?

There are already many tea tree oil-infused skincare products on the market, including spot treatments, cleansers, moisturisers, and toners. Once you use some of these products, remember to be consistent for six to 12 weeks to start to see the effects on your skin.

But when to use tea tree oil in skincare routine?

When used as an ingredient within one of your skincare products, you should use it just as advised on the product’s instructions. If it’s a toner, use it after cleansing. If it’s a serum, sandwich it between your toner and moisturiser.

For those who are using pure tea tree oil, there are a few ways you can use it.

The first way is to add a few drops into your moisturiser. For this method, you use it just like a moisturiser, as the final step of your skincare routine before you apply a sunscreen.

You can also use it as a spot treatment by applying it directly onto your blemishes using a cotton swab. If this is how you’re using it, apply right after toning.

For those who suffer from body acne, you can consider adding a few drops into your bath water.

What if Your Skin Reacts Badly to Tea Tree Oil?

If you’re trying tea tree oil for the first time, it’s important to do a patch test. Just apply a small amount to the inner part of your wrist or behind your ears. Leave it for a few hours and see if you notice any redness, itching, or irritation.

If you skip the patch test and experience a negative reaction (like burning, rash, itching, swelling, or redness) after using tea tree oil, rinse your face immediately with cold water. Avoid using hot water, as it can make the oil absorb more deeply into your skin, leading to increased sensitivity.

Do not use soap or a cleanser to wash it off, and steer clear of using a flannel or washcloth, as scrubbing can irritate your skin further. Just gently splash your face with cold water to remove the oil.

After rinsing, it’s best to leave your skin bare and avoid applying any skincare products, including moisturizers. You want to prevent trapping any tea tree oil residue on your skin. Allow your skin to rest overnight to help soothe any irritation caused by the tea tree oil.

Best Products With Tea Tree Oil

Featured images taken from @pipicomel89, @thebodyshopnorthamerica, @manyo_official on TikTok.