Tea Tree Oil for Acne Treatment

Tea Tree Oil is a naturally occurring antiseptic oil produced from an Australian tree called the Melaleuca Alternafolia. It kills germs (some viral germs), bacteria, and fungus, and is used as a cure for acne, body odor, foot fungus (athlete foot), halitosis, head lice, and oral herpes outbreaks, or cold sores.

This is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the tree called Australian Melaleuca Alternafolia. Apart from its strong antibacterial and antifungal traits, this natural substance is also widely recognized for its beneficiary roles in treating bad breath, cold sores, body odor etc. Terpinen-4-ol is the main constituent of this oil which is believed to be the playing the role of the chief antimicrobial ingredient. Also it is a renowned fact that an acne lesion is inflamed by the presence of skin-dwelling bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes.

Before determining which products to purchase or what regimen of tea tree oil for acne treatment will be most helpful in individual cases of skin problems, it will be beneficial to know what causes blemishes in the first place. Many persons in the past have related blemish and skin problems with uncleanliness. But, the truth is that pimples, blackheads and whiteheads are the products of over-active glands found near the hair follicle.

Since an undiluted form of this natural agent is hazardous, there comes an inevitable question as to what other forms of this herbal oil should be used in order to achieve the best impact. If you are a frequent visitor of your local medical store, you perhaps have noticed that it contains a superfluous stock of different skin care and acne care products with this substance as a chief ingredient. And if you are allergic to other ingredients mixed in those commercial products, or rather fascinated by homemade regimens, then there are plenty of them too. For instance, you could make your own undiluted solution by using 5% of tea tree oil and 95% of water mixed properly. If you have got a sensitive skin then a combination of this essential oil and aloe vera would respond well. Besides, a few evidences show that some people tend to develop sensitivity to this natural ingredient and therefore it is always suggestible to try a little amount first on the skin surface to test its impact on your skin.

Tea tree oil has been recognized as a potent antiseptic in Australia anecdotally for much longer than there has been scientific evidence. However, recent studies support a role for tea tree oil in skin care and treatment of various ailments.

Tea tree oil is a known antifungal agent, effective in vitro against multiple dermatophytes found on the skin.[5] In vivo, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.

Tea Tree Oil is used medically as well as in cosmetic products.

It is advisable to avoid sun after applying tea tree oil to your face. It tends to have a drying and irritating effect when the skin is exposed to sun. It is meant only for topical application, and never to be taken internally. It is available in most of the beauty products like soaps, shampoos, gels, washes, and other things.

[Article Source: http://www.positivearticles.com]

Tea tree oil has proven to be a very powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. But should you use it for topical acne treatment?

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