Tea tree oil is one of thosemythical productsrumored to treat basically everything.
So, how legit is all the fuss surrounding tea tree oil?
Actually, first…what exactly is it?
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Specifically, theres a lot of interest surrounding one active ingredient calledterpinen-4-ol.
If tea tree oildoeshave an effect on acne, how does it work?
But acne isnt just a bacteria-driven condition.
Overproduction of oil and formation [of] clogged pores can trigger acne too, says Dr. Finney.
So can heightened levels of hormones called androgens, theMayo Clinicexplains.
As such, Although tea tree oil may help, its not a standalone treatment, Dr. Finney says.
(Malassezia furfurcan also cause dandruff unrelated to seborrheic dermatitis.)
Tea tree oil may lower levels of yeast and combat the inflammatory response that can strike because of it.
However, tea tree oils effect on severe dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis is unclear.
Dr. Zeichner recommends sticking to conventional antifungal treatments for these conditions.
But that mechanism isnt reliable enough to depend on tea tree oil to treat these issues.
So far, results have been mixed, withsome studiesshowinginhibited virus replicationand others showingbasically none.
As for warts, it depends on the throw in youre dealing with.
As tea tree oil ages, the odds of an allergic reactionmay increase.
So tea tree oil generally isnt a good idea if you havesensitive skinor related conditions likeeczemaor rosacea.
Interested in mixing up your own tea-tree concoction?
First, know that results may depend on the brand of oil you choose.
Since over-the-counter preparations arent FDA-controlled, they can vary in potency, says Dr. Finney.
Diluting tea tree oil in some way may help you avoid a skin freakout.
The idea is to score any potential antimicrobial benefits sans skin irritation.
For this reason, he recommends diluting tea tree oil in a water-solubleserumwhen using it to fight acne.
Keep watch for irritation, and dilute it even more if you oughta.
See how it goes, and let your skin make the final decision.
