Although you may not have heard of it before, tea tree oil has been used for thousands of years. Since well before the time of European colonization, the Budjalung – an indigenous people who live in southern Australia – have been chewing and mashing tea tree leaves to help treat wounds, soothe coughs and even relieve skin problems. Commercial production didn’t begin until 1923, when a researcher named Arthur Penfold published a report on the medical benefits of the oil. Today, you can find tea tree oil in everything from natural medicines to bar soaps and deodorants, and it’s not surprising when you consider all of its uses:
- Fungicide. Tea tree oil is commonly used as a natural antifungal and antibacterial treatment. It’s known to alleviate the symptoms of athlete’s foot, toenail fungus and other topical fungal infections.
- Antiseptic. Tea tree oil is also a natural antiseptic, which means it’s capable of killing bacteria. It also means that like other antiseptics (alcohol, for example), tea tree oil can dry out skin. That’s why many people use it as a toner or as a remedy for oily skin. For these reasons, we’ve made tea tree oil a main ingredient of H2V Spotless – a blemish-preventing masque that fights breakouts and helps balance oily skin.
- Restorative. Because of its ability to keep wounds dry while attacking fungus and bacteria, tea tree oil can reduce the healing time for cuts, abrasions and popped pimples. But be warned – pure tea tree oil has a powerful sting when applied directly to a wound.
- Aromatic. Tea tree oil is a popular oil for aromatherapy. People use the vapors to help break up mucus, ease congestion and soothe chest pain. It’s sometimes combined with eucalyptus oil, which has similar benefits.
It’s impressive that a single natural oil could have so many uses. If you’re having trouble deciding if tea tree oil is the right remedy for your skin, we’re happy to help. Just schedule an appointment at your nearest Burke Williams for a professional skin consultation. We’ll tell you which products and treatments can help you put your best face forward.
