This essential oil has antibacterial properties and has been used for many decades for several skin conditions.Topical antibiotics like tea tree oil will kill bacteria on the skin’s surface and stop inflammation. It does work for most people, but tea tree oil is not considered a miracle cure and can take longer to see results than some over-the-counter medications. If you read the reviews across the web, it gets mostly positive recommendations.

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.

Many people will say they can’t stand the smell of tea tree oil. It reminds me of turpentine. It is quite strong. Not all tea tree products smell bad, some smell like camphor antiseptics or cleansers. Remember to use a clean pillow case every night. Old tea tree oil on a pillow won’t help your acne problem.

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.