Acne Home Remedies - Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant Melaleuca alternifolia by steam distillation. It’s use in acne home remedies is still being studied but preliminary trials are encouraging. It is an essential oil that can be found in some commercial preparations such as shampoos, lotions and gels. It has a long history of being used as a skin treatment for infections as it has antimicrobial properties and is used in some acne remedies. As it can kill bacteria and can be used on the skin to kill Propionibacterium acnes which causes acne.
Clinical studies Using Tree Tree Oil
One study that compared the use of tea tree oil in a gel with very popular acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide found that it was almost as effective or cause much less drying of the skin. It also had fewer side effects than benzyl peroxide which can cause burning, stinging and itching. The trial of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in Australia used a gel containing 5% tea tree oil which was compared to a benzoyl peroxide lotion of the same concentration. 79% of the group using the benzoyl peroxide reported side effects while those using the tea tree oil preparation reported very little burning, dryness, itching or stinging. Although this is only one study, more are needed to determine just how effective tea tree oil is in the treatment of acne, but it does point to use at home by those with mild acne. [Lancet, December 8, 1990; p.1438, Medical Journal of Australia, 1990;153: pp.455-458]
How to Use Tea Tree Oil
Never use tea tree oil undiluted on the skin as it can lead to blistering, redness and other side effects that you are trying to avoid. The study quoted above used a 5% concentration of tea tree oil in a gel so if you are using it at home is a good concentration to begin with. Dilute pure tea tree oil by mixing 95 parts water and five parts of the tea tree oil. You could for instance use 95 mL of water in 5 mL of the tea tree oil. Apply only to the acne prone areas and do not use all over the skin. If you find you get some irritation dilute the solution further and use until your skin is more used to the treatment.
Conclusion
Tea tree oil appears to be an effective alternative for benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. It appears to be effective in acne home remedies and you can make a solution yourself very cheaply. You would need to persevere for a few weeks before you see any effects, remembering that tea tree oil is slightly less effective than benzoyl peroxide and takes a little longer to show results.
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