What Is Tea Tree Oil?
I was first introduced to the healing properties of Tea Tree Oil about five years ago. Ever since that time, it has been a staple in my medicine cabinet. It has been dubbed my many as a "medicine chest in a bottle"! This oil comes from the "melaleuca alternifolia" tree, which grows in Australia. It's roots can be traced back to Aboriginal Australia, and it was used during World War II. It was first introduced to westerners when Captain Cook sailed to Australia in the 18th century and observed Aborigine's making a poultice from the leaves of this tree and then using them, successfully, to treat many skin problems. "Tea Tree" is the common name we use today. This is truly a great product that nature has given us! Many products on the market today contain Tea Tree Oil.

It's Use for Acne
Tea Tree Oil has long been used to treat acne. Acne occurs when oil glands become plugged and bacteria forms under the skin. Tea Tree Oil has germicidal and antiseptic properties, and the oil is able to penetrate the dermal layers to kill the underlying bacteria. It has proven effective for me when I get the occasional break out.

Body Shop
A very convenient product for acne is available at the Body Shop. This product is in a small tube that can easily slip into your purse. It has a sponge applicator so you can direct it right to the acne, and it comes out as a clear gel. The Body Shop also adds some helpful ingredients to this acne fighter, because the tea tree oil can be drying to your skin. The addition of "allantoin" and "bisabolol" are very helpful in soothing the skin and to off set the drying effects of the oil. Just dab it right onto the pimples and it will go to work - very easy to apply. At first you may notice that it does tend to dry your skin, if that's the case, use it just once or twice a day and work up to the amount your skin can handle. I love the more natural products, if you do too, you should try this.

Allantoin
So, what is allantoin, anyway? It is an ingredient that the FDA classifies as a "safe and effective skin protectant".
It helps speed the healing of minor cuts and scrapes, aids in cell regeneration, and helps to soften the skin.

Bisabolol
Okay, so then what is "bisabolol"? This ingredient comes from the chamomile plant. From what I know, it also soothes the skin, and has an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action.

Tea Tree Oil Stinks!
If you haven't smelled this oil, it smells a bit like terpentine. In fact, to be effective, Tea Tree Oil must have two ingredients - Terpinene and Cineole. Products differ in how much of these ingredients they contain. Cineole gives the oil the ability to penetrate. The ideal oil would contain a higher degree of Terpinen (35%-45%) and a lesser degree of Cineole, because in very high percentages it can be caustic. It took me a while to get past the smell of this product - (well, all products containing Tea Tree Oil should smell this way) - but it does work and the smell does fade with time. It does wonders for a stuffy nose! I do not know anything about the quality of the Tea Tree oil that the Body Shop uses in this acne treater. But it does work.

Other Uses for Tea Tree Oil
This stuff is amazing! It has been used to treat minor burns, boils, dermatitis, bee stings, planter warts, poison ivy, ringworm, scabies, head lice, sinus congestion (add a small amount of oil to boiling water and steam your face), cold sores (apply as soon as you feel the "tingle", several times a day!! It works!), athlete's foot, and the list goes on and on.

One note about head lice! I recently had two children come into my daycare with head lice, which they picked up at school. The parents tried all the toxic shampoo treatments, but the little buggers kept coming back! How frustrating. I recommended they treat it with tea tree oil and it has worked. Just massage a small amount into the scalp and hair, wrap in a hot towel and leave on for about 15 minutes. Follow up washing hair with a conditioning shampoo - and be sure to wash all bedding, coats, etc. in hot water. Vacuum furniture! Lice eggs stick to the hair shaft with a "glue like" material, the oil helps dissolve this so they can be removed easier.

Conclusion
This product is great for oily skin, and will help speed up acne break outs. It is convenient to apply and carry around. I believe it is safer than other products that contain alcohol and a myriad of preservatives. My daughter won't use any products containing Tea Tree Oil due to the smell, but it doesn't bother me a bit now. You just have to get used to it.

Recommended: Yes