Tea Tree Oil.... For acne?

Question

A friend told me that when she got a few large red pimples, she simply put a little bit of 100% tea tree oil and in about 4-5 days it had shrunk and was like almost completely gone. Should I even bother trying this? Has anyone here had luck with that?

Answer 1

There is some research that suggests the hormones found in dairy products and a western diet in general may be a factor, but there are many others.  Hormones, heredity, greasy cosmetics, stress, humid polluted climates, irritation to the skin, chafing, and squeezing pimples all can contribute to acne.  

Beware of using any acne products unless they have been prescribed or recommended by your doctor.  People make all kinds of suggestions about the best thing to do to cure acne.  Some cures I’ve heard include putting oatmeal, honey, lemon juice, tea tree oil, cucumber, vinegar, milk of magnesia or toothpaste on your face.  Practically every cosmetics company and company that makes personal care products makes something that is a “sure cure” for acne.  If we think about this, and use some common sense, we have to come to the conclusion that there is no quick or easy cure for acne, because if there was it would be well known and doctors would be telling everyone about it.  



Numerous companies make a lot of money persuading people to buy products that at worst will make the acne worse, and at best may help some people a little.  Often fewer products are better.  People often make their acne much worse by using too many products.  There really is no quick fix for acne.  Don’t spend a lot of money on products just because their ads say that they will cure acne.  Your doctor is the best person to ask for help, and he or she may recommend some prescription medication or non-prescription treatment that may be suitable for you..  



There are some very simple and basic things you can do that cost nothing.  Keep your face or any other area affected by acne very clean.  Any mild antibacterial soap will help with that.  Rinse the area well to remove all soap residue.   Drink plenty of water – it really does help to clear up acne.  Eat a nutritious diet and get enough sleep.  A healthy life style will make a difference.  Try to reduce the stress in your life – stress contributes to acne, so also probably the more you worry about the acne and focus on it, the worse it will be.  

Probably the most useful and effective things you can do are to apply hot compresses to pustules and cysts and never to pick or squeeze pimples. Playing with or popping pimples, no matter how careful and clean you are, nearly always makes bumps stay redder and bumpier longer.  

Here are a few informative links with additional ideas about preventing and treating acne.

http://www.medicinenet.com/acne/article....

http://www.acne.com/cause_effects/causes...

http://www.acnerecovery.com/acne-informa...

Answer 2

I've used it before, but I always dilute the 100% tea tree with a little jojoba oil (or sometimes just plain water). Otherwise it burns my skin and makes it go red, although the redness goes away fairly quickly. So if you have sensitive skin you might want to be careful!

I think it does help with my acne, but personally if I get a big spot that I'm desperate to get rid of, I use something called Nixoderm. You can read reviews of it on acne.org. I find that really helps to dry out and shrink the spot.  

Answer 3

Yes I have used it for a lot of skin irritations including acne.  It helps get the redness out of the skin irritation.