3 Ways To Beat Breakouts With Tea Tree Oil

The worst breakouts always seem to come at the most inopportune times.

Whether it’s the day before your college graduation, the eve of a crucial job interview, or the date night you’ve been looking forward to all week, a swollen, pink pimple can totally ruin you day.

Next time you feel one coming on, try tea tree oil instead of harsh chemical medications. This all-natural treatment can actually work just as well—if not better—than mass-market brands.

Skeptical? Look at the research, which shows that tea tree oil rivals benzoyl peroxide, the main ingredient in most over-the-counter acne creams, in its effectiveness.

Here are just a few ways you can use this useful oil to clear up your skin.

1. Shrink pimples overnight.

Next time you feel one of those swollen, painful, red bumps coming on, skip the chemical-filled cream and dab on a drop of pure tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil is antiseptic and antibacterial, so it goes right to the source of pimples, cleaning out the oil and bacteria that cause breakouts.

2. Make your own spot treatment.

If pure tea tree oil is too harsh on your skin, you can create your own two-ingredient spot treatment. Mix a few drops of the oil with a teaspoon of soothing aloe vera gel, and smooth it over a zit. Some also say this trick works with raw honey, too.

While the tea tree oil dries out the pimples, the aloe vera gel gently conditions the skin around it. You can even mix up a big batch and store it in a small jar for later!

3. Mix up a tea tree oil face mask.

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to any DIY face mask for an acne-fighting boost. Try adding some to this natural face toner, or even a simple mask of sea salt and olive oil.

Not into the DIY scene? You don’t have to be—feel free to doctor a store-bought face wash or moisturizer with a few drops of tea tree oil for a bacteria-fighting boost.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont