Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has several properties that give it many uses in our lives. It is said to be antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral as well as antifungal. One use that I have found for Tea Tree oil is for acne remediation.
I have had mild acne flare-ups since adolescence and am approaching 30. I have also tried the western medicine approach of various salves, creams, lotions, and soaps. They all seemed to help, but they also dried out my skin. In addition, I have mild Rosacea and the active ingredient in most of the acne treatments in a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide. This ingredient is not very kind to Rosacea sufferers and did make my Rosacea much worse. In contrast, the Tea Tree oil does not affect my Rosacea. Granted, the Tea Tree oil did take two weeks longer to see results in my acne, but my Rosacea has stayed at bay!!
There is a study concerning the use of 5% Tea Tree Oil compared to 5% Benzoyl Peroxide. In this study they tested 124 patients and found no significant difference between the use of Tea Tree oil vs Benzoyl Peroxide. Either treatment worked and the Tea Tree oil resulted in fewer side effects. Check howellsac. (Baaset IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS “A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne” *The Medical Journal of Australia* [1990, 153(8):455-458]).
Any 5% solution of Tea Tree oil can be created from the essential oil we sell in the shop and one of the carrier oils. Stop on by for help and advice. Keep in mind a 20 part carrier to 1 part Tea Tree oil will create a 5% solution and can make desert trainers help you in yielding your original fitness.