Tea Tree Oil 101: Health Benefits, Uses, Potential Side Effects, and More

Tea tree oil is available as a pure essential oil. It may also be used in personal-care products, particularly those that aim to prevent or reduce acne, including cleansers, toners, body washes, gels, lotions, and other treatments.

Read on to learn more about this popular oil and its uses on the face and skin.

The main benefit of tea tree oil is its pimple-fighting ability. For that reason, tea tree oil may be a good choice for people with acne, says Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans.

To understand why, consider the four main contributors to the development of acne: inflammation, bacteria, hormones, and sebum, says Dr. Hooper. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it addresses two of those main players.

First, keep in mind that tea tree oil should only be used topically and that ingesting the ingredient isn’t safe. It’s a good idea to try a patch test first, by applying the oil on the inside of your forearm and waiting a day or two to see if a rash forms.

To get started with adding tea tree oil to your skin-care routine, either purchase a skin-care product that contains tea tree oil or use the essential oil itself, says Dr. Holman. To use the essential oil, it’s very important to dilute it first by mixing it with a carrier, such as a witch hazel toner or moisturizer. (Applying the undiluted oil can cause an allergic reaction on the skin, Holman says.)

Holman recommends using three drops of tea tree oil to two ounces (oz) of product. You can use tea tree oil in the morning or at night. Combine tea tree oil with a witch hazel toner if you have acne, which can be done after cleansing your skin, or combine the oil with a moisturizer (such as coconut oil) as a last step in your evening skin-care routine, if you also have dry or sensitive skin.

It can make skin more sun sensitive, says Holman. For that reason, don’t apply it immediately before going outdoors. No matter what skin-care products you’re using, though, it’s always important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your face every morning.

Hooper recommends that people with acne-prone skin apply a product containing tea tree oil once or twice a day, focusing on pimple trouble zones like the chin or T-zone. You can apply this product in the morning, at night, or both, but choose a time when you’re most likely to consistently apply it, she adds. Use the ingredient routinely to see the best results, Hooper suggests.

She also points out that it may take a few months to see real improvement in your skin, so give it 12 weeks of consistent use before assessing the effects on your acne. (That’s because pimple formation can begin months before the red bump appears, she says.)

If, after 12 weeks, you’re not seeing results, you may need a stronger acne product. A board-certified dermatologist can help develop an acne-fighting plan appropriate for your skin. Tea tree oil is also better suited for mild acne, and is likely not strong enough if you have more moderate or severe forms of the skin condition, says Hooper.

If you are using tea tree oil to treat a nail fungal infection, dilute it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. (Aim for a ratio of two to three drops of tea tree oil to 15 to 20 drops of carrier oil.) “For nail fungus, use a stronger concentration of tea tree oil than you would on the skin of your face,” says Holman.

The main side effect to watch for when using tea tree oil is irritation. “Up to 4 percent of people can be allergic [to tea tree oil],” Hooper says. It’s always a good idea to do a patch test before you start treating an area with tea tree. And yet you still may find that your skin reacts negatively to the ingredient later on. If you are allergic to it, “tea tree will irritate your skin within the first two to three weeks, and then the product will irritate your skin each time you use it thereafter,” she says. That skin irritation indicates that you are allergic to tea tree oil, and you should stop using it entirely.

Tea Tree Oil and Skin Conditions

• Along with routine dermatologist-guided care, tea tree oil may help treat mild acne and other skin issues, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• It might take a few months to see noticeable improvements.
• Perform a patch test before using tea tree oil on your skin, and monitor for any irritation or allergic reactions.
• Always properly dilute pure essential oil before using it, or use a product that contains tea tree oil but is formulated for skin.
• Avoid sun exposure, or use quality sunblock after application.