Tea Tree Oil
Otherwise known as Melaleuca oil, Tea tree oil has nothing to do with green tea, black tea, white tea, etc. It is essentially a pale golden color, and it has been used as an antiseptic and antifungal. It has been popularly used for its cosmetic functions, and it has been recently introduced to the acne treatment market.
It was originally found in the eastern areas of Australia, used as a traditional medicine among natives from everything to coughs and colds to sore throats and skin ailments. Reports of its antimicrobial effects were first published in the 1920’s by research Arthur Penfold. It was popular for a time, and then its popularity declined after World War II. It rose again to some popularity in the 1970’s. They have since found that its effects are mainly based on an alement known as terpinen-4-ol.
In recent studies, they have found that when applied to mild to moderate acne, 5% tea tree oil is comparable to 5% benzyl peroxide in its treatment. The main difference is that this action comes without all the side effects. It has been compared likewise to a placebo with statistically significant differences. A few isolated studies have shown tea tree oil to work against herpes, cold sores, chicken pox, shingles, etc. It has also been used by some as an all natural flea control element.
However, despite its relative safety on the skin, it should be noted that tea tree oil should not be orally ingested. It is toxic when swallowed and thereby causes drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, comas, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. So therefore, it can not be used in supplements as witch hazel can. It is solely for external use.
Those who have discontinued use with tea tree oil have often found it preferable to benzyl peroxide in another way. Their acne stayed under control or only returned to its previous state if that. With benzyl peroxide, it is common to experience severe bouts of acne with a cessation of treatment. If you keep up a good skin regimen after using tea tree oil, even with periods of non use, you should not expect severe breakouts.
Overall, when used correctly, tea tree oil is one of the best acne treatments to date. It has no serious side effects when used topically, and many users have been extremely pleased with results. It is highly recommended, and it has been around and in use for centuries. We have found tea tree oil to be one of the best up and coming acne treatments on the market.