Tea tree essential oil is a type of oil often used for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It is made from the Melaleuaca alternifolia plant, which comes from Australia. The oil is usually a yellowish color and is used in everything from shampoo to body wash. It is also a popular ingredient in acne-fighting products and may even be added to shampoos for dogs and cats because it can act as an insect repellent as well. The oil is usually purchased in pure or diluted form from most health food stores as well as online.
People in Australia have known about the benefits of tea tree essential oil for hundreds of years. Over time, it has become popular worldwide. Unlike some other types of essential oils, tea tree essential oil should never be consumed because it could be poisonous. The benefits are normally best achieved when it is applied topically, and ingesting it may result in some negative side effects such as hallucinations, drowsiness, and severe rashes. It is also typically recommended to dilute the oil before applying it directly to the skin, and this is also important for a person to keep in mind when using it on animals for killing fleas and ticks.
Tea tree essential oil is used by many people for fighting acne. Its antiseptic properties help it kill bacteria and unclog dirt and grime from pores. Many people use soaps or foaming facial cleansers containing tea tree essential oil, but it may also be applied directly to skin blemishes with a cotton swab. When a person uses the cotton swab method, she should also dip the swab into some water after dipping it into the oil to dilute it. Face masks containing tea tree may also be helpful for acne treatment, and these can usually be left on overnight.
In addition to its acne-fighting benefits, tea tree oil could also be effective for controlling dandruff. Many shampoos for fighting dandruff, particularly all-natural brands, contain varying amounts of tea tree oil. This may be a preferred option for anyone who is concerned about the chemicals that are in most conventional brands of dandruff shampoo. The oil can help to eliminate dry skin on the scalp and kill any existing bacteria, which may result in less dandruff. Some people prefer to add about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to the shampoo they use every day instead of purchasing special tea tree shampoo, and this may work just as well for controlling dandruff.