Have You Tried Tea Tree Oil For Acne?

If you are looking for a natural topical product for acne, you might want to research tea tree oil. The Australian punk tree produces a compound called terpinen-4-ol that is known to be an effective antiseptic.The essential oil is extracted by steam from the leaves and twigs.It has been used for hundreds of years for it's healing benefits and the germicidal and anti-bacterial properties of this plant are well documented.

Tea tree oil has been shown that it can hinder and destroy microbes.It is speculated that because it can kill bacteria, it may help reduce acne by destroying Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria that is associated with acne.This bacteria is very common and is usually not a problem. It's when the pores of the skin get plugged up with excess oils,that P.acnes can inflame the skin causing acne to form.

Tea tree oil is found in many skin care products. I have tried one product that contained 5% benzoyl peroxide with tea tree oil. It did work well when I applied it at bedtime. In the morning I use a product containing alpha hydroxy acid to get rid of dead skin cell.It is helpful if you can keep excess oils and dead skin cells from plugging up hair follicles.

Tea tree oil products often have a very distinct smell. The major component of tea tree oil is a natural terpene. The word "terpene" comes from word turpentine which what the smell reminds me of.Other people have said it has that "camphor" smell to it.I have read a ton of people complain that their family members or partners don't like it.

When you first use the tea tree oil, it can cause dryness and irritation. If you bought it full strength, it should be diluted with water to about five percent strength before applying directly on the blemish or lesion. Pure tea tree oil is strong enough to cause severe skin irritations. You can use a small shot glass or a Dixie cup of water to mix in 3 or 4 drops of pure tea tree oil. Don't dilute it too much as there is the risk that it won't kill the bacteria and possibly cause the P.acnes bacteria to become resistant to treatment. Follow the package instructions carefully.

A visit to the dermatologist is not a bad idea before using tea tree oil or any other topical treatment for that matter. The problem that many people are running into is that most topical treatments do nothing to stop over-production of sebum. They only help to control the bacteria that thrive in the blocked hair follicles.In-fact I believe everyone suffering from acne should see a medical doctor before trying any of these treatments. Using the wrong treatment could easily make the problem much worse. Topical treatments can cause the bacteria to become resistant and very difficult to get rid of.

Article Source: http://www.avidarticles.com

Joelle writes articles that help people find the best acne treatment and researches ways to remove acne with benzoyl peroxide

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