What To Know About Using Tea Tree Oil For Acne

Anyone who suffers from acne has surely heard of tea tree oil and its numerous (almost miraculous) benefits. However, we wanted to know for sure whether tea tree oil is worth trying before we recommend it to anyone dealing with zits and pimples. So, we reached out to Dr. Ellen Marmur, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare. In an exclusive conversation with Glam, Dr. Marmur explains that tea tree oil is a great tool to use in fighting breakouts.

"Tea tree oil has many anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help benefit acne-prone skin," she explains to us. "Tea tree oil can be used to cleanse the skin or can be used as an acne spot treatment." Now, if this sounds like something that could benefit you, let's delve further into how to incorporate tea tree oil into your skincare routine to fend off acne — and what you need to pay extra attention to!

"Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil is great to help treat red and inflamed acne," Dr. Ellen Marmur tells us exclusively. "Tea tree oil also has the ability to minimize acne scarring." So, if you are someone who is prone to acne scarring, testing out tea tree oil might be worth a shot. "Overall, tea tree oil is a nice alternative acne remedy if you want to use something that is more natural and will unlikely irritate the skin," Dr. Marmur adds. However, keep in mind that it is a natural remedy, and for many, those simply don't work as well as a medical-grade acne spot treatment that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

As with most acne remedies, tea tree oil also takes time to work. "If you apply tea tree oil to the affected areas on your face twice a day, it will take around 45 days to see results," Dr. Marmur explains. Now, this doesn't mean that you won't see any improvement before; in fact, if you are using tea tree oil as a spot treatment overnight, the acne should look a tad less in a couple of days. However, Dr. Marmur clarifies that this alternative remedy won't work for everyone. "It's important to note that tea tree oil is just an alternative to treat acne-prone skin, and may only work with mild to moderate acne," she adds, recommending that those with severe acne consult with a dermatologist to find the best products for them. 

Adding tea tree oil to your skincare routine can seem scary, especially as there seems to be so much contradicting information available — from adding it to a face oil to using it as a spot treatment. However, the truth is that there are simply multiple ways of using the potent acne-fighting oil. "You should apply tea tree oil to your skin twice a day," Dr. Ellen Marmur shares exclusively with Glam. "Before applying the oil to your skin, make sure to cleanse the skin with a facial cleanser that is gentle and formulated for acne-prone skin."

Those who tend to have allergic reactions to new skincare products should definitely be careful when adding tea tree oil to their routine and should stick to applying it to their spots only. "If you have sensitive skin, it's recommended to test the oil on the inside of your elbow to see if you get a reaction," Dr. Marmur adds. "When applying the tea tree oil, use a minimal amount and gently dab onto your blemishes using a Q-tip or cotton round. Once applied, remove any excess oil on the skin with a clean towel to prevent your pores from getting clogged and making your acne worse." Of course, regardless of your skin type, if you prefer using tea tree oil as only a spot treatment, you totally can. 

While you can mix tea tree oil with other skincare products that target acne, Dr. Ellen Marmur recommends choosing gentler products. "I would not recommend using tea tree oil with other harsh actives," she explains exclusively to Glam. "Instead, top it with a gentle hydrating and balancing serum such as MMSkincare Balance, which contains calming aloe and wild indigo which reduces the blemishes. If you have super-dry skin, add a calming cream such as the MMSkincare Rescue Cream." The bottom line is, if you are already using actives like retinol or another form of retinoids or chemical exfoliants in your routine, it's best to skip the tea tree oil or alternatively, use it only as a spot treatment. 

While it isn't necessary to dilute your tea tree oil, Dr. Marmur does recommend it, especially for those with more sensitive skin. "You can combine two to three drops of tea tree oil with a serum like MMSkincare Balance, however, it is important to be aware of the other types of oils you use on your skin, as this can possibly make your acne worse," she says. "Some people dilute the tea tree oil with witch hazel, coconut or almond oil to prevent irritation, but dermatologists caution that even those natural remedies can cause allergic reactions." If you are planning on using an oil to dilute the tea tree oil, be mindful of where a face oil goes in your skincare routine and always test all products before use.