When you embrace the fact that oils are not the enemy, you’ll open your skin to receive the goodness these gifts from nature have for you. Tea tree essential oil has shown exceptional uses in treating skin concerns like acne and other cosmetic issues that trouble the face.
Like every other oil and skincare ingredient, you need to be sure tea tree oil and your face are in a good-for-body relationship. To find out, you should carry out a patch test on a small part of your jaw or neck. Watch the oil for a while to notice any reactions.
If it’s all good with your skin, then, you can use tea tree oil on your face. Read on to see a list of ways you can use tea tree oil in your beauty routine.
How to Dilute Tea Tree Oil for Face
Applying 100% pure tea tree oil to your face can be irritating to your skin. Before you use it for your face, you should dilute the oil with oils like jojoba oil, rosehip oil, almond oil, argan oil, coconut oil, moisturizer, aloe gel, honey, and even a face cleanser.
Diluting tea tree oil makes it tolerable for your skin. When diluting your oil, follow this ration; for every 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil, add 12 drops of carrier oil. This will make the oil more tolerable for use.
To use non-oils, you can add a drop or two drops depending on the quantity of the product you’re adding tea tree oil to.
1. Routine Face Oil
Before using tea tree oil as face oil, you should have diluted it with the above ratio. Also, your oils should be stored in a dark glass bottle and kept away from sunlight.
- Cleansing your face is the most important part of your routine. Applying products to a pore-clogged face will only be a waste
- Dampen a clean cotton pad with a cleanser and use the pad to wipe across your face and neck to remove oil, makeup, dust, and dead skin cells
- Afterward, you may double cleanse with a toner, if it’s a part of your routine
- While your face is still damp, pump out the serum and gently tap it all over your face and neck
- Allow the serum to absorb into your skin for some seconds into a minute
- Then, apply moisturizer all over your face and neck to seal in moisture
- Thereafter, take your bottle of tea tree oil and release a few drops in your palm
- Gently rub the oil all over your face and neck. The oil creates a protective barrier over your skin and prevents moisture loss and the penetration of pollutants
- Finish off your routine with sunscreen lotion before you step out to protect your skin from UV rays
2. Face Cleansing
Tea tree essential oil is a powerful cleanser that helps to get rid of excess oil that clogs your pores. Also, it is a very potent antibacterial oil; while it cleanses your face, it makes your skin inhabitable for acne-causing bacteria.
- To cleanse your face with tea tree essential oil, you need a diluted version of the oil (one mixed with carrier oils)
- You’re not cleansing your face of dirt, so, you should apply the oil to your pre-washed face
- Gently rub the oil into your skin until it is evenly distributed
- Dampen a clean lint-free towel with hot water that will not scald your face
- Thereafter, put the hot towel over your face and stay put for 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, take off the towel and use it to wipe the oil off your face
- You may double cleanse with a cleanser to completely clean off the oil
- Do not forget to moisturize your face afterward
3. To Treat Rosacea
Rosacea is characterized by dry, itchy, and red skin with a burning sensation. It also comes with enlarged pores. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties which calm your skin. Moreover, it moisturizes your skin and alleviates dryness.
Follow this recipe to make an oil serum to help treat rosacea:
Materials: 8 tablespoons jojoba oil, 6-8 drops tea tree essential oil, 6-8 drops lavender essential oil, a dark glass bottle, dropper applicator
How to:
- Mix all the oils in the clean, dark, glass bottle
- Cover the bottle and roll it in between your palms to mix all the oils
- Pump out the oil serum and release some drops onto your palm
- With clean fingers, apply the oil all over the affected area and massage it in
- Leave the oil serum on your face for up to 30 minutes or overnight before you wash it off
- Repeat this every day to get results
4. For Acne Spot Treatment
Tea tree oil uses its antibacterial properties to treat acne by inhibiting the action of the acne-causing bacteria Cutibacterium acnes. In addition, it reduces redness and inflammation and speeds up the healing process.
- Mix tea tree oil with coconut oil in a small glass bowl. Add 3 drops of tea tree oil to one tablespoon of coconut oil
- Use a clean q-tip to take oil and apply it to the spots
- This spot treatment is best used as an overnight treatment. However, if you want to use it during the day, leave the oil on the spots for 20 minutes before you rinse it off
- Moisturize your face with a face cream
5. For Glowing Skin
You can incorporate tea tree oil into a face mask to glow up your skin without bleaching it. Tea tree oil, when used appropriately, is a mild oil that works well for skin brightening.
Materials: 1 tablespoon jojoba oil, 3 drops tea tree essential oil, a medium-sized tomato
How to:
- Mash or blend the tomato into a paste
- Then, add the oil and mix it well until you get a uniform paste
- Apply the paste all over your face to make a mask
- Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes. Thereafter, rinse it off with lukewarm water
- Most importantly, you should moisturize your face afterward
6. DIY Face Wash
The cleansing, disinfecting and antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil cannot be overemphasized. Follow this recipe to make a DIY face wash that will help to remove excess oil, dirt, kill germs, refine your pores, firm and soothe your skin.
Materials: 10 drops of tea tree oil, 4 drops of lavender oil, 4 drops of liquid castile soap, 6 drops of rosewater, 1 tablespoon of glycerin, 1 tablespoon of aloe gel, and a dispensing bottle
How to:
- Begin by pouring the rosewater and liquid soap into the bottle
- Then, add in glycerin and aloe gel
- Follow up with tea tree oil and lavender oil
- Cover the bottle firmly and shake to mix the contents
- Use the face wash to wash your face two times every day
7. Eye Serum for Dark Circles
To remove dark circles with tea tree oil, mix the oil with carrier oil. The skin around the eyes is very thin and sensitive and should be treated with the utmost care.
- Every night, before you go to bed, apply the oil around your eyes
- Gently use your fingertips to massage the oil on the areas with dark circles
- Leave the oil on overnight and rinse in the morning
8. Face Mist
Misting tea tree oil over your face for a midday touch-up or during your routine is very refreshing and can help calm your skin. For the face mist, what you need is water, witch hazel, and tea tree oil.
- In a clean bowl, make a solution of a cup of water, 1 teaspoon of witch hazel, and 3 drops of tea tree oil
- Thereafter, transfer the solution into a spray bottle and shake
- Spray the solution onto your pre-washed face and gently tap it in
Can You Apply Tea Tree Oil Directly to Your Face?
You should not apply tea tree oil directly to your face. When you apply `100% tea tree oil to your face, you may experience reactions like contact dermatitis which is characterized by skin redness, swelling, dryness, and itching.
Therefore, you should dilute tea tree oil before applying it to your face. Safe options include carrier oils like jojoba oil and coconut oil, moisturizer, aloe vera, and honey.
How Often Should You Use Tea Tree Oil on Your Face?
Use tea tree oil on your face every day to effectively treat your skin concerns. Incorporate it into your morning and evening routine. Moreover, you may use it as a face oil or use products that incorporate tea tree oil into their formula.
Can You Leave Tea Tree Oil on Your Face Overnight?
Yes, you can. It is advised that when you use tea tree oil on your face, you should leave the oil on for a while, and overnight does it best.
While you sleep, your skin is not only protected from the harsh elements, but it’s also the time when tea tree oil absorbs better into your skin.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects of Using Tea Tree Oil?
If you use tea tree oil correctly, you’re least likely to experience side effects of any kind. You should not ingest the oil or apply the undiluted form to your skin.
Moreover, before you fully incorporate the oil into your routine, you should run a patch test to be sure your skin and the oil will work in harmony.
FAQs
Is tea tree oil essential oil comedogenic?
No, it is not. Tea tree essential oil is a non-comedogenic oil and will not clog your pores. It is a lightweight oil that quickly absorbs into your skin and leaves no residues. This makes it safe for people with oily and acne-prone skin types.
How long does tea tree oil take to work on the face?
You should use tea tree oil on your face dedicatedly for up to 12 weeks before you see remarkable results. However, this does not mean it is not working; your skin gradually acclimatizes with the oil, and then it helps to regulate sebum production.
Should you wash tea tree oil off your face?
No, you should not. After applying tea tree oil to your face, leave it on for some minutes to absorb into your skin. It is best to use tea tree oil on your face as a leave-on treatment unless you used it for oil cleansing, or you used it overnight.
Can you apply tea tree oil to your lips?
Yes, you can apply tea tree oil to your lips. As a moisturizing oil, it helps to fix chapped lips, keep your lips plump and give you a soft pout. Additionally, you can incorporate tea tree oil into a DIY lip scrub to treat chapped lips.
Conclusion
When you are sure you can use tea tree oil on your face, you begin to wonder what you can use it for. There is a lot of things tea tree oil can do for your face and it owes this to the wonderful nutrients it contains.
It helps to moisturize your skin, treat acne, improve your complexion, soothe inflammation, refine your pores, and regulate sebum production. If you use tea tree oil the right way, better skin days aren’t so far away anymore.
Most importantly, do not apply 100% tea tree oil directly to your face. Follow the dilution formula; mix it with oils, face creams, moisturizers, and even your bath water, and use it as prescribed.
Thanks for reading.
Check Serum101 for related articles on how to use oils in your beauty routine.
