21 Tea Tree Oil Benefits For Your Skin; The All-In-One Scent

Our skin is the largest organ of the body, which includes the fingernails and toenails. Scientifically known as Melaleuca alternifolia, this scent has been used as a treatment for many skin issues by the aboriginal people of Australia for generations. We’ve thrown a list together of 21 benefits tea tree oil has for the skin.

21 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for the Skin

With a large organ like the skin, there is no surprise that it comes with its own unique set of issues at times. Here are 21 ways that this scent, blended with a good carrier substance, will help you with skin problems.

Dry Skin

When it comes to skin issues, this one is one of the most annoying. Your skin dries, gets flaky, scaly, and can even become red and infected if not taken care of. When it reaches that state, it is known as dermatitis.

The compounds found in this extract have been proven to have an effect on “contact dermatitis”, which can be caused by a myriad of issues including your age, the season your area is experiencing, how you bath, and genetics.

A nice way to battle that would be to create a skin moisturizing blend that includes lavender and jojoba as a carrier substance. Since tea tree is strong, it is important to know how to make blends with it before just jumping in.

Eczema

Next, we have a disorder with symptoms that are similar to other issues on this list, but it does fall into a category in all of its own. There are different types of eczema, which include atopic dermatitis, contact, dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. We can’t touch on them all individually, but no matter which group you fall into, you are probably dealing with skin that is red, inflamed, and itchy.

If eczema is in your family history then you have a better chance of getting it yourself and your chances of having dry skin are much higher in winter when the humidity is low. Taking long hot baths may feel great but they can wreak havoc on the moisture levels in your skin.

Since this volatile compound helps reduce itching and inflammation, it is no surprise it has been used as a remedy for eczema. When blended with some geranium and some sweet almond, this mixture should help ease the outbreak.

Psoriasis

Here we have another skin disorder that leaves the skin looking red and inflamed, yet this one works in a different way. Psoriasis stimulates the growth of skin cells ten times the normal rate of production. With this disorder, you will have scaled covered red skin that looks broken and can be painful. It also itches and can even bleed and crack.

There are four different types- pustular, guttate, inverse, and erythrodermic, which can affect everyone from children to adults. There is no known cause, but when an outbreak occurs, the anti-inflammatory powers in tea tree oil can help ease the pain and itching.

Try mixing a few drops of this extract with a drop or two of peppermint oil all mixed fractionated coconut oil for a nice cooling blend.

Skin Tags

This next issue doesn’t necessarily cause any pain, itching, or inflammation, and it’s not a sign of something more serious but we still like to get rid of skin tags. Why? Because they make us look old and they aren’t that pretty to look at.

But, why head out to the doctor when you might be able to find a quick remedy right in your own home? Some suggest that a few drops of tea tree oil placed on a cotton ball and affixed to the tags three times a day will do the trick. It may take a few weeks but it should work.

All of that said, we always suggest diluting your extracts in some kind of carrier oil before applying it to your skin. You should also avoid using it near your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is a strong oil and can cause irritation if you have a sensitivity.

Oily Skin

We’ve been focusing a great deal on the anti-inflammatory benefits of tea tree oil but the truth is- this scent has a lot more to offer. When it comes to oily skin, there are few things that beat this fragrant treatment.

A study was conducted in 2016 that showed a significant correlation in the reduction of oil on the skin with the use of a sunscreen made with tea tree oil. This potential to remove excess oil from our skin comes in handy in so many ways, which you will see.

A great way to utilize this benefit is to mix a few drops of this scent with twice as many drops of chamomile oil. Add that to some witch hazel and use a cotton pad to remove excess oil.

Itchy Skin

We’ve mentioned this issue in association with a number of disorders we’ve already covered. While those are associated with itchiness, the fact is- there are tons of reasons why your skin might itch.

Luckily, tea tree oil has been proven to reduce the itch on the eyelids of study participants in 2012. When it comes to all types of itching, this scent has been used by native people for centuries.

Of course, this is no time to forget that this volatile compound is powerful so you need to dilute it well before applying it anywhere on your body. Start with a low concentration and grow from there. I would also recommend spot testing on your arm before applying it to larger portions of the skin.

Inflammation

One of the reasons why this scent works so well on the disorders we’ve discussed is due to its ability to reduce inflammation. The American Society for Microbiology did a study in 2006 that showed tea tree oil reduces inflammatory responses.

This is great news for people with eczema, psoriasis, acne, and anything else that makes our skin get red and swell a little. Depending on the type of inflammation you are experiencing, mix some of this scent with a good carrier and apply directly to the sight. Of course, if it does not go away in a reasonable amount of time, you may need medical attention.

Infections

Infection is a word that can describe all kinds of body irritations. There are staph infections, infections from wounds, and more. But, most infections do have something in common, which is redness and swelling. Anyone with a sore or cut that hasn’t been treated right knows what I mean.

Due to the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties in this extract, it is a good choice for all types of infections, especially those that are apparent on the skin. Of course, we already stated that it isn’t safe to ingest this scent so it shouldn’t be used to treat internal infections.

The blend suggestion we made under the dry skin category would also work great with skin infections.

Cuts / Wounds

This issue seems like the next logical step because we just mentioned cuts as a place of common infection, which tea tree oil fights. Add the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties we’ve discussed and you might be wondering why I’m repeating myself.

But, we had yet to mention the antifungal and antibacterial powers that lie within a little brown bottle of extract, which is also necessary if you are looking to clean out a cut or wound. Just make sure to add a nice carrier like avocado oil before treating.

Of course, we only recommend this for the type of cuts and wounds you would use an over the counter remedy for. If you have something that is much worse, you should consult a healthcare professional about the correct course of action.

Dandruff

While we don’t normally think of it, the hair on our head is anchored into the skin up there. Just like any other area of our body, our scalp can be prone to dryness, which results in dandruff. This disorder has several causes, which include skin that is oily and/or irritated, dry scalp, a fungus called Malassezia, poor hygiene, and contact dermatitis.

Tea tree oil has all the benefits we’ve discussed regarding inflammation and oily skin. But, when it comes to fungus, it’s powerful as well. So, there isn’t a type of dandruff that can’t be treated with a nice blend that includes this scent.

Some suggestions are to create a nice blend with coconut oil and create a scalp massage blend. You want to let that sit for a few minutes and then wash thoroughly so the pores on your head don’t get clogged.

Acne

This issue can be a problem for both teens and adults alike. I am a middle-aged woman who still gets pimples and I still do what I can to get rid of them once they arrive. This scent is a great ally in the acne battle because it comes at them from so many angles.

It fights the inflammation while cleaning the area with its antiseptic properties, which is great news for those with acne prone skin. It removes excess oil and battles any infection that might be starting. When it comes to pimples, it’s hard to find an essential oil that does the job better.

While all of this is promising, there are risks. First off, teenage boys should not be using tea tree oil for anything since it is a hormone disruptor and can cause abnormalities during puberty.

Athlete’s Foot

Next, we have a fungal infection called tinea pedis in laboratories, but on the street, it’s Athlete’s foot. The symptoms include a rash that appears scaly accompanied by stinging, burning, and itching. This fungus is contagious, and you should clean your bathrooms if you suspect you do indeed have this disorder.

When it comes to treating it, it seems that this is a great selection when it comes to easing the symptoms. One study used a tea tree oil cream for one group and a placebo cream for another. More than 70% of the people who used the tea tree oil cream showed a significant difference in their symptoms.

 Boils

While this term might remind you of something water does when you are making pasta, in a medical sense, it’s an infection of the skin that starts in an oil gland or hair follicle. These can be painful and relieving the pressure of the infection is key to easing the pain.

This scent is great for that because of its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-infection, and antifungal properties. Depending on where your boil is, we recommend that you put together a little blend of this oil with witch hazel and apply at the site of the boil.

Once again, you should avoid your eyes when applying this remedy.

Chicken Pox

This virus is typically caught when we are children, but most kids are vaccinated against it due to school regulations. There are some people who don’t believe in vaccinating their children, and they turn to other natural options.

Unfortunately, this is not a preventative treatment nor a cure for chickenpox. It is a helpful tool for those that find those little itchy red sores starting to develop on their bodies. This is due to the way it fights itching, infections, and inflammation.

Yet, there is one other reason why this extract is a good choice for treating an outbreak of the chickenpox. It has been shown to work as an antiviral against a similar virus.

Cuticle Care

The place where your skin meets your nail is known as your cuticle. You have them on your fingers and your toes. When they become dry, they can crack and even become infected. It’s important to keep them clean, dry, and well moisturized.

Due to its ability to fight fungus, work against infections, and the help it gives dry skin, it stands to reason that people use this oil to soften their cuticles. You can mix some of this scent with jojoba, avocado, and a little bit of lavender oil for a powerful serum that focuses on the health of your nail bed.

Nail Fungus

You may not realize this but fingernails are skin cells and so are toenails. While it might seem that the toenails are the typical area where fungus can grow, the truth is- it can grow on your fingernails as well. It can begin as a spot on the tip of your nail that appears white or yellow but can get deep into the bed and cause your nails to start crumbling.

As it turns out, this extract is wonderful for fighting all kinds of fungi. In fact, an article published in the International Journal of Aromatherapy states that tea tree oil combined with lavender shows to be effective against tinea infection, which is a fancy way to say nail fungus.

Cold Sores

This type of skin disorder shows up on your lip as a cluster of blisters that tingle. It eventually forms into a scab that, in some cases, can make it look like your face just exploded. Cold sores, otherwise known as fever blisters, are caused by a virus known as herpes simplex 1, which lays dormant in your system whether or not you are experiencing symptoms.

Since it’s an antiviral, it makes sense that people would use it to treat their cold sores. A study published in the Oxford Academic showed that tea tree oil was effective when used to treat herpes labialis.

Jock Itch

As it turns out, one type of fungus can affect us in many parts of our body. This one, known as tinea cruris, hits men right where the name implies. It causes redness, itching, and appears as a ring-shaped rash at times.

There are so many aspects to tea tree oil that can help anyone suffering from this disorder. Among the antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch compounds, jock itch is no match for this volatile compound. You should not apply pure extract directly to your genitals or any other area of your body.

Be sure to dilute it well before application and test your blend out on a small patch of your skin.

Ringworm

Here we have another fungus and one that is closely related to jock itch and athlete’s foot. It’s a small ring-like rash that resembles a worm and can itch like there is one crawling in your skin. But it is not caused by a worm and, in fact, is caused by mold-like fungi.

As you’ve seen with other examples on this list, tea tree oil is a powerhouse when it comes to fungi. It fights in the same way it fights jock itch and athlete’s foot because they are all basically the same thing.

Makeup Remover

After a night out, it is tempting to just jump into bed and fall asleep. However, it’s important to remove all that makeup before it seeps even deeper into our pores. Since this extract has the ability to remove excess oils from our skin, it is used often in commercial makeup removers, toners, body washes, and bath bars.

To make your own, you can blend some tea tree with chamomile or lavender along with a bit of witch hazel and some fractionated coconut oil. There are recipes available for homemade skin care blends.

Bug Bites

The last skin issue on our list is on top when summer comes and the mosquitos start to invade our yards. When a bug bites us, be it mosquito or a spider, you will find swelling, redness, and a constant itch around the bite area. They are very annoying, and it takes all I can not to scratch them ‘til they bleed.

Mix this scent into a good carrier, and once applied to the area, it should relieve the inflammation and stop the itch so they can heal faster.

Conclusion

When some people think of skin, their mind goes right to their face. But, as you can see, there are skin issues that happen in many other areas of the body. Luckily, tea tree oil has been proven to take care of certain skin disorders, so one little bottle can go a long way.

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