Tea Tree Oil: The Skin Miracle
One of my favorite essential oils I use in my beauty regime is tea tree oil, one of nature’s finest anti-bacterial, anti-fungal minerals. This do-it-all oil has natural healing powers, so it’s a necessity to use for your skin this summer. Tea tree oil comes from the evergreen leaves of the Australian Melaleauca alternifolia tree and has been used for more than a century for its healing and disinfecting properties. Here are just a few of the many beauty benefits it can provide this summer:
- Acne: if you are suffering from the occasional to frequent breakout, or even dark spots post-breakout, tea tree oil is your savior. A study found tea tree oil to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, but without the negative side effects like dryness, peeling, and redness. Dab a few diluted drops on a cotton swab and apply it over any blemish areas.
- Razor burn: Because of its antiseptic qualities, tea tree oil can be used to soothe razor burn. Dampen a cotton ball with water and then soak with tea tree oil. Dab the affected area and allow it to absorb. If you have more sensitive skin, try diluting tea tree oil in aloe vera cream or gel with one part TTO and two parts aloe vera.
- Dandruff: Mix about 3-4 drops of tea tree oil into an all-natural, unscented shampoo to combat against dandruff.
- Nail infections: Because of its anti-fungal properties from Eucalyptol, or 1, 8-cineol, tea tree oil can be used for a wide-range of infections. If you have a hangnail or infected nail bed, dab a bit of oil onto the nail to act as an antibacterial while avoiding irritation to the surrounding skin.
Now that you’ve discovered the best-kept hidden beauty secret, try using it to see what all it can do for you this summer! And enjoy its therapeutic, tranquil scent.