Tea Tree Essential Oil Benefits

If there was a multitasking award for skin care ingredients, tea tree oil would be on the shortlist of those worthy of the honor. With a stellar reputation of numerous skin-healing benefits, it’s no wonder this plant is one of nature’s best known offerings.

Through cleaners, moisturizers, and masks we can deliver the powerful benefits of tea tree oil right where our skin needs them most. Find out what makes this superstar such a good pick in the pursuit of clear skin!

Tea tree essential oil comes from steaming the evergreen leaves of the iconic Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree (not be confused with the tea plant that produces the warm beverages we love).

Steam distillation creates a pure, clean oil without being contaminated by chemicals in solvent extraction methods. This process also preserves its active ingredients such as terpinen 4-ol that make it such a potent anti-inflammatory.

It’s hard to miss the potent yet earthly scent of tea tree oil. With more than just an ability to prevent bug bites, this wonder plant can also soothe coughs and colds, and has been the cure-all for killing bacterial conditions and other illnesses for centuries.

Traditionally, tea tree leaves were crushed and placed over skin infections. Soldiers even brought it onto battlefields with them as an antiseptic. Today, tea tree oil’s popularity has grown so much that you’re bound to find it in many topical medicines, household products, and skin care.

What gives tea tree oil its wealth of skin care powers? This mighty oil possesses naturally beneficial compounds that come to the aid of many skin care conditions.

One such compound, terpinen 4-ol, has effective anti-inflammatory properties and wound-healing abilities. The high concentration of this active compound also makes tea tree oil a natural antimicrobial remedy for treating bacterial and fungal skin conditions, and preventing infections.

Thanks to tea tree oil’s potent yet woodsy fragrance, it’s a true staple in aromatherapy. Its fresh, herbal, and camphorous scent notes give your home a clean scent while acting as an air freshener and deodorizer.

We know tea tree oil to be an all-star with its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Unlike many other essential oils, this oil is also non-comedogenic and won't clog pores. Check out some of the top uses of tea tree oil, and how you can use it.

#1. For acne
Bacteria plays a big role in acne flare ups, and tea tree oil is great for treating breakouts, reducing redness, blotchy patches, and acne scarring. Tea tree’s anti-inflammatory properties make it great for soothing and healing skin that’s irritated or reddened from the sun, insect bites, or bacteria.

#2. For warts
Unfortunately, most skin warts seem to pop up out of nowhere. With its antiseptic and antiviral properties, using tea tree oil for warts makes sense. It can treat wounds, fight off infections and, according to some studies, may even activate white blood cells that fight the viral infections that cause warts.

#3: For scalp
As a naturally antifungal herb, tea tree may be helpful for treating fungal scalp conditions. Irritated skin caused by issues like dandruff, cradle cap, and lice can all be treated with tea tree oil.

#4. For itchy skin
Tea tree oil is a powerful natural alternative for relieving the discomfort of itchy skin. Its additional antimicrobial properties help it be effective against infections that might result from scratching, such as calming down irritated skin and alleviating itchy bug bites.

#5. For skin tags
Tag, you’re it! Let’s be honest, nobody likes skin tags. Though they’re painless, these fleshy growths tend to pop up in inconvenient areas like the armpits and around the neck. Skin tags are harmless, and can be effectively and naturally treated. A little dab of tea tree oil around the base of the tag can help cut off blood supply, causing it to dry up and fall off.

#6: For athlete's foot and nail health
Surprise: you can get athlete’s foot even if you haven’t been to a gym. It covers two separate infections: one that affects the skin on your feet (classic athlete’s foot) and another infection that affects your toenails (called mycotic nails).

Tea tree oil can kill many types of bacteria and fungal infections, meaning it’s effective against athlete’s foot. With its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree can soothe itching, scaling, and burning associated with athlete’s foot.

#7: For body odor
Fun fact: sweat doesn’t actually smell. That pungent odor after a steamy sweat-a-thon is thanks to bacteria on your skin, and tea tree’s antibacterial powers are ideal for neutralizing unpleasant odors. Try a tea tree deodorant to keep your underarms smelling fresh!

Tea tree oil smells great, and offers many antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory health benefits. Now that we’ve uncovered the many tea tree oil benefits for skin, you can wield this clean ingredient in your beauty routine, for anything from acne to eczema!