Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible Acne Benefits of Tea Tree OilDrawbacks and Side EffectsHow to Use Tea Tree Oil For AcneOther Uses for Tea Tree OilFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Possible Acne Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Drawbacks and Side Effects
How to Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne
Other Uses for Tea Tree Oil
Frequently Asked Questions
Tea tree oil is often credited as being a natural treatment for acne because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Although a few small studies show that tea tree oil may have some acne-fighting abilities, the true effect tea tree oil has on acne is unclear.
Still, tea tree oil has anecdotal support and is probably still your best choice for a natural,alternative acne treatment remedy.
This article discusses what is known about tea tree oil’s benefits for acne, its possible risks, and how to safely try tea tree oil to treat and reduce breakouts.
What Is Tea Tree Oil?Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of theMelaleuca alternifoliaplant, a woody shrub that’s native to Australia. Its oil is thin, clear to yellow in color, with a striking camphorous, medicinal odor.Tea tree oil is also known as:Melaleuca oilTi tree oil
What Is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of theMelaleuca alternifoliaplant, a woody shrub that’s native to Australia. Its oil is thin, clear to yellow in color, with a striking camphorous, medicinal odor.Tea tree oil is also known as:Melaleuca oilTi tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of theMelaleuca alternifoliaplant, a woody shrub that’s native to Australia. Its oil is thin, clear to yellow in color, with a striking camphorous, medicinal odor.
Tea tree oil is also known as:
Tea tree is believed to tame inflammation and help killPropioni acnesbacteria, which are responsible for acne breakouts.
The actual effect tea tree oil has on acne is still unclear, however. This is largely because only a few small studies on this have been done, according to a 2015 Cochrane research review.
In another small study, participants with acne were asked to apply tea tree oil products to their face two times a day for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, researchers concluded that using tea tree oil products had significantly improved mild to moderate acne. They also found that the treatments were well tolerated.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Uses and Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
As exciting as some of the initial information may seem, tea tree oil isn’t a magic cure for acne. It’s biggest drawback is that it’s simply not as effective as some of the otheracne treatment medications available today.
Also, remember that natural treatments aren’t completely benign. Tea tree oil can irritate the skin, especially the delicate skin on the face. Some people who used tea tree oil developcontact dermatitis—a raised, itchy rash.Common symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
Tea tree oil can also be toxic if swallowed. If ingested, it can lead to serious symptoms such as confusion,ataxia(loss of coordination in the body), breathing problems, and coma. It’s also unclear if tea tree oil is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tea tree products are probably best used as spot treatments for the occasional pimple, rather than as a sole treatment for the prevention of acne.
To use tea tree oil to treat acne:
Tea tree essential oil can be purchased at any natural food store.
There are also skincare products that contain tea tree oil available in natural food stores and even some drugstores. If you go this route, make sure that tea tree oil is listed as an active ingredient on the product label.
The 7 Best Tea Tree Oils to Treat Everything From Acne to Infections
Historically, tea tree oil has been used forskin infections, fungal infections, ulcerations, and other wounds.
Limited research suggests that tea tree oil can be used to treat athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), toenail fungal infections,lice, anddandruff.
A Word From Verywell
More studies need to be done on the effects tea tree oil has on acne. Proven acne treatments are still your best option, not only because they have a well-studied track record but because they treat all of the different acne-causing triggers, not just bacteria.
If you have more than just the occasional blemish, and your acne is persistent, tea tree oil simply isn’t the most effective option. You’ll be better off using a provenOTC acne productlike benzoyl peroxide, or getting a prescription medication from your dermatologist. This is especially true for stubborn or severe acne.
Already usingprescription acne treatments? Make sure you ask your healthcare provider before you incorporate tea tree oil products into your routine.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTea tree oil can be applied directly on pimples or areas of skin that are prone to breakouts, but it should always be mixed with a carrier oil like almond oil first.Learn MoreHow to Dilute Tea Tree OilIt can take two to three months of use for you to see the effects of most topical acne treatments.If you don’t see an improvement in your acne within three months of using a treatment, consult with your healthcare provider.Learn MoreCoping With AcneYou may have success with either. But while only limited research suggests that tea tree oil might be helpful in treating mild to moderate acne, salicylic acid is a proven acne-fighting agent.Learn MoreWhat Is Salicylic Acid?Yes, it’s safe to leave diluted tea tree oil on your skin overnight. Before doing so, it’s recommended that you first test the oil on small area of skin to find out if you have a sensitivity or allergy.
Tea tree oil can be applied directly on pimples or areas of skin that are prone to breakouts, but it should always be mixed with a carrier oil like almond oil first.Learn MoreHow to Dilute Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can be applied directly on pimples or areas of skin that are prone to breakouts, but it should always be mixed with a carrier oil like almond oil first.
Learn MoreHow to Dilute Tea Tree Oil
It can take two to three months of use for you to see the effects of most topical acne treatments.If you don’t see an improvement in your acne within three months of using a treatment, consult with your healthcare provider.Learn MoreCoping With Acne
It can take two to three months of use for you to see the effects of most topical acne treatments.If you don’t see an improvement in your acne within three months of using a treatment, consult with your healthcare provider.
Learn MoreCoping With Acne
You may have success with either. But while only limited research suggests that tea tree oil might be helpful in treating mild to moderate acne, salicylic acid is a proven acne-fighting agent.Learn MoreWhat Is Salicylic Acid?
You may have success with either. But while only limited research suggests that tea tree oil might be helpful in treating mild to moderate acne, salicylic acid is a proven acne-fighting agent.
Learn MoreWhat Is Salicylic Acid?
Yes, it’s safe to leave diluted tea tree oil on your skin overnight. Before doing so, it’s recommended that you first test the oil on small area of skin to find out if you have a sensitivity or allergy.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cao H, Yang G, Wang Y, et al.Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD009436. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009436.pub2
Enshaieh S, Jooya A, Siadat AH, Iraji F.The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology.2007;73(1):22-5. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.30646
De groot AC, Schmidt E.Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical composition.Contact Derm. 2016;75(3):129-43. doi:10.1111/cod.12591
MedlinePlus.Contact dermatitis.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Tea tree oil.
Mayo Clinic.Tea tree oil.
Zaenglein AL.Acne in infants, young children, and preadolescents. UpToDate.
Graber E.Patient education: Acne (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
