The Affordable Skincare Essential Meghan Markle Never Leaves Home Without

There's little doubt that Meghan Markle has the inside scoop on all of the newest and trendiest fashion, cosmetic, and related beauty trends. After all, long before she married Prince Harry and became a duchess, she was a successful Hollywood actor in her own right. Now she's known for rubbing elbows with tastemakers like Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and even Beyoncé. That said, she also likes to embrace the basics, like strolling farmers markets for homegrown items or snagging beauty and fashion deals on Amazon. 

One of her essential skincare items, tea tree oil, is downright affordable and a staple in the medicine cabinets of many so-called "regular" women. No word yet on whether Harry, Archie, or Lilibet use tea tree oil, but it's probably a safe bet that they do, since the lady of the house swears by it. How can you give your skin the royal treatment with this affordable product endorsed by a duchess? 

Although essential oils have been around for millennia, thanks to Ancient Egyptians who used them as far back as 4500 B.C., the modern craze really hit its stride in the late '90s-early 2000s thanks to ramped-up interest in naturopathic remedies. As a result, different oils are recommended for different purposes. For example, lavender oil is often suggested to people dealing with stress or sleep problems, and peppermint oil is a go-to for people dealing with digestion problems, headaches, or fatigue, according to Cleveland Clinic. 

Tea tree oil's many uses are generally tied to its antiseptic and antibacterial capabilities. Because of this, Meghan Markle and other fans use it for disinfectant purposes. In 2017, Markle told Allure, "The one thing that I cannot live without when I'm traveling is a small container of tea tree oil. It's not the most glamorous thing, but if you get a cut, a mosquito bite, a small breakout, no matter what it is, it's my little cure-all."

According to Mayo Clinic, tea tree oil can help with treating dandruff and lice eggs.

Just because she's a duchess doesn't mean Meghan Markle only uses expensive skincare products. As she revealed to Allure about her favorite tea tree oil, "It's inexpensive, it's small enough to carry on, and I bring it with me all the time." 

Tea tree oil can be used numerous ways. If a minor breakout is the problem, you can dip a cotton swab into the oil, then dab it directly onto the problem area. Most other tea tree oil uses require it to be diluted, but this one does not. Tea tree oil can also be used to combat some pretty icky situations, like ringworm or athlete's foot. To treat these ailments, Dr. Yufang Lin told Cleveland Clinic, "Dilute it with a carrier oil (a base or vegetable oil like coconut or jojoba oil that helps dilute essential oils) and put the blend on the affected skin." There are also shampoos and body products that contain tea tree oil if you don't want to use the product directly on your skin.

Although many essential oils are extremely safe to diffuse, tea tree oil is actually neurotoxic, per Cleveland Clinic, so it's best to skip diffusing it if you live in a home with pets or young children. Since Duchess Meghan has pets and kids at home, it's likely that she chooses topical application.