If you have conducted your own research, then you may understand that natural essential oils can be beneficial. Tea tree oil is one of these oils and it can be used as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. This is especially helpful when it comes to treating acne on the face. If you want to buy essential oils online to treat your blemished skin, then keep reading to learn about a few tips you should follow.

Dilute The Oil

Tea tree oil or melaleuca is an oil created by crushing the leaves of the melaleuca tree. The tree is one that is native to Australia and it was originally breathed in by early inhabitants to clear the lungs. The leaves of the tree were also sometimes used to cool or refresh the skin.

The early antibacterial properties of the oil may have been largely unknown by the early Australians, but it has been seen in literature and scientific studies since the 1940s, with a great deal of study completed since the 1990s. These properties of the oil make it incredibly useful when it comes to treating acne. 

Acne is caused by the infection of the sebaceous glands. These glands are the ones that surround the hair follicles. Bacteria spread across the face and work their way into the pores and down into the sebaceous glands. The bacteria get trapped and then an infection begins. The infection causes swelling that creates a red and raised pimple, and pus builds underneath the pimple. 

When a pimple appears, antibacterial agents can be used to kill the bacteria that sit underneath the skin. The agents do need time to seep down into the swollen pores, and this means that tea tree oil needs to remain on the skin for some time. However, the essential oil you purchase is typically in neat or undiluted form. The strong oil contains many aromatic compounds that can cause a stinging sensation. This can be irritating to already infected skin, so it is best to dilute the oil before placing it on your acne.

Adding the tea tree oil to a carrier oil is your best option. There are several oils you can choose from that will not clog the pores, so choose one of these. Jojoba, argan, olive, avocado, and rose hip oil are all good options. Place three or four tablespoons of the oil in a small container and then add five to six drops of the tea tree oil. Mix the oil and then use a cotton swab to lightly dab the oil on your face.

Use A Moisturizer Afterward

Once you dab the diluted oil on your face, allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser afterward. Cleansers that contain an ingredient like salicylic acid are a good choice to clean the skin without disturbing the pH balance of the skin.

Once you are done cleaning, look to see if the acne is irritated or red. If it is, then dilute the tea tree oil a bit more before adding it to the skin again. You can use the tea tree oil once a day or once every other day until the acne heals. Also, think about switching the tea tree oil with another antimicrobial oil every other application. Lemongrass and peppermint oil work well to kill bacteria as well and they may be a bit more gentle on the skin.

If your skin looks red and irritated or if you see some dry and flaking skin after using the tea tree oil, then you should also use a water-based moisturizer. Tea tree oil can dry out the skin. If you do not treat the dryness, then the skin may produce more oil, and this can lead to more clogged pores. This can in turn cause the acne situation to worsen.

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