Taking a short break between fashion, for my first beauty post, I would like to talk about Tea Tree Oil. I have been using the 100% pure tea tree oil on my face when I get an occasional breakout. I always apply some on before I go to bed as I would like it to work on my face overnight. For me, dabbing the oil on the affected area has helped in healing marks on my face, left behind by a hormonal pimple, quite quickly. My skin type is combination/oily, I'm not acne prone and was lucky enough not to have it. Although, I don't have flawless skin. When a hormonal pimple appears and disappears, it always leaves behind a small dark mark which will take a few weeks to fade away completely. And by the time it fades, it will be time for the next one to appear. Hilarious cycle, really. I don't have a severe problem of marks, so I try my best to help them fade faster. And that's when I discovered Tea Tree Oil. I have researched about it, curious to see if it will actually work its wonders on me. Here are some of the things I came across while searching for it:
Image credit: http://www.herbsinmedicine.com/styled-16/page16.html
---------------------------------------------------
Updated: March 2017
Thank you to Chris Challis for bringing their article about Tea Tree Dandruff Shampoos to my attention. On there you will find a list of shampoos that are targeted to treat Dandruff, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Scalp Psoriasis, and Dry Scalp. I personally haven't tried any of the products on that list but if you suffer from scalp psoriasis, I would recommend the Mineral Fusion Anti-Dandruff Mineral Shampoo that they suggest. Why? Because it has Salicylic Acid, and that ingredient is widely suggested when treating scalp psoriasis. Do be aware of the other ingredients listed in that product.
I have been using a shampoo, purchased from my local pharmacy, with salicylic acid and it has definitely helped me with my scalp psoriasis drama. It was just a tiny patch behind my ear and nowhere else, thank goodness. But I knew it was there, I felt it was there, I felt embarrassed, even though no one could see it and I couldn't find a way to get rid of it. So, from my personal experience, if you are dealing with scalp psoriasis, my best recommendation for you is to buy a shampoo with salicylic acid to treat it. It really did help me. I plan to make a separate post about this in the future.
I have not had any skin reactions at all from using it but do be aware that Salicylic Acid may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Please stop using immediately if it occurs.
Direct link to the article: https://www.dandruffdeconstructed.com/best-tea-tree-shampoo/
---------------------------------------------------
Tea-tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is a yellowish colored essential oil that is made from the leaves of the plant Melaleuca alternifolia (native to Australia).
Well known uses:
1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and dry scalp.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and dry scalp.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.
I can say that I have been using numbers 1, 3, 9 on myself and so far it has been quite helpful for me. In regards to number 9, sometimes I get a dry/itchy scalp when it gets too hot so I do a hot oil treatment with a few squeezes of tree tea oil mixed in. It does make my scalp feel refreshed and helps combat the dryness. You just need to continue the treatment for better results.
How much tea tree oil should you take?
Tea tree oil is only a topical treatment it should never be taken by mouth.
Because tea tree oil is an unproven treatment, there is no established dose. The concentrations of tea tree oil used in studies have varied depending on the medical condition. For instance, a 5% tea tree oil gel might be used for acne, while a 10% or higher tea tree oil cream might be used for athlete's foot. 100% tea tree oil solution has been used with toenail fungus. If you use tea tree oil, follow the instructions on the label or get advice from your doctor.
Risks. Topical tea tree oil has been reported to cause allergic reactions that can be severe. Tea tree oil may also cause redness, itching, and blistering. It may aggravate burns and skin conditions like eczema. Using large quantities of tea tree oil on the skin could cause severe side effects.
Read more: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-tea-tree-oil
Tea tree oil is LIKELY SAFE for most people when put on the skin, but it can cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
Tea tree oil is UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Don’t take tea tree oil by mouth. As a general rule never take undiluted essential oils by mouth due to the possibility of serious side effects. Taking tree tea oil by mouth has caused confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma.
This is the pure oil that I use:
I purchased it from my local pharmacy. Here is one of many websites that sell it, notice that prices vary from different sites. You don't have to get this exact brand, they're all the same in the end. I would just like to put an example out there, plus you can read some reviews on the site.
I've read many reviews from people online about how sensitive their skin can get when using the pure oil, as mentioned above. I have not had any bad reaction since I do not have sensitive skin. Please be wary when trying it on yourself if you do have sensitive skin. Some say you can mix it with other types of oil such as lavender, which also helps the smell of the tree tea oil quite a bit. Believe me when I say it has a very strong, rather unpleasing scent. Well, in my opinion. And my mother's. Which brings me to mention another type of product you can use.
Sometimes in the day, if I see a tiny breakout about to happen, I would like to dab some of the oil on it. But since it has such a strong scent, I can't because I worry someone will sniff it on me. It's not exactly "turn your head around" in a good way scent. I wanted this treatment in a product I can use that hopefully had its healing properties, without the smell. So I found out that The Body Shop has a line of tea tree oil products. Face wash, body wash, face mask, cleanser, toner, you name it! I was very pleased to find that they have a concealer and blemish gel in their line as well. You can recognise the smell of the oil in them but it has been toned down, smells mintier in my opinion and that's acceptable to me. I purchased just those 2 products first because I'd like to try them before buying any of other items and I have been using them for the past 5 months. Just as well, I still need to finish my other facial wash and such.
 |
| When you apply it, it feels very cool on the skin and it dries fast. I've noticed this helped heal a pimple or mark quite fast (Not within the day itself, but faster than average). |
 |
| Surprisingly, the concealer gives a good enough coverage on its own. The way I like to use it is after I dab on the gel, I put the concealer over it. I use this on fresh breakouts, rather than my regular concealer because I think it at least helps with its medicinal properties, plus coverage. So far, I've never had a bad reaction when I put this on. And when I need complete coverage, I just had my regular concealer over it.
Check out their website to see more of the line.
Well, I hope you got something out of this post that would help you in any way when it comes to making a decision on using Tea Tree Oil on your skin. :)
This is NOT a sponsored post.
|
