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Tea Tree Oil for Skin: 5 Uses

By Christine Ruggeri

September 14, 2020

If you’ve researched DIY beauty products before, you have probably come across tea tree oil — a cleansing and purifying oil that supports the health of your skin and more. Many people wonder if you can put tea tree oil on your skin.

The answer is yes, and you’ll love the results! (Of course, you should always follow label directions for suggested use.)

Tea tree oil for skin is so popular that many of the natural beauty and body care products on the market contain the plant-based ingredient.

So what’s the fuss about tea tree and why should you incorporate it into your daily skin regimen?

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tea oil, also known as melaleuca, is extracted from the twigs and leaves of the tea tree with steam distillation. You may not have heard of the tea tree before, which is likely because it’s native mostly to Australia — in Southeast Queensland and New South Wales.

Tea tree oil is known and loved for its strong purifying qualities. It’s the ideal natural ingredient for DIY skin-cleansing regimens and it works as an air purifier and household cleanser.

Benefits

Why should you use tea tree oil on your skin? Here’s a breakdown of its top benefits for skin, hair and even your home:

1. Has Purifying Qualities

Tea tree oil is well-known for its purifying qualities. For these reasons, it’s often used on the skin and to clean home surfaces, too.

When used in a diffuser, tea tree oil will freshen and purify the air.

2. Supports Skin Health

Because tea tree oil works as a purifier, it can be added to your daily facial cleanser for added cleansing benefits.

It can also aid in specific areas, such as your scalp, fingernails and feet. Not only does it help to purify the skin, but it also has soothing properties.

How to Use

Wondering how to use tea tree oil on your face, hair and more? It’s as simple as it gets. Here are some tea tree uses for skin:

1. Skin

Because tea tree has cleansing properties, it can be used topically to support healthy skin.

Simply apply 1-2 drops to a clean cotton ball and blot on desired areas. You can leave it on the skin overnight. If you are using tea tree on a larger surface area, like your chin, forehead or back, consider combining it with about a teaspoon of coconut oil. Be sure not to get too close to your eyes, though.

2. Facial and Hair Cleanser Booster

Tea tree works to help boost skin health. To use it on your skin, simply add 1-2 drops to your face or body cleanser.

You can also add it to your favorite shampoo.

3. DIY Aftershave

Tea tree oil for skin is great, which is exactly why it can be used after shaving as a DIY aftershave.

To create your own aftershave, combine 1-2 drops each of tea tree oil and cedarwood oil. Rub the two into your hands and apply it to your skin.

4. Nail Booster

Tea tree oil can help to support healthy nails, too. Apply tea tree oil to your fingernails and toenails after showering to help keep your nails looking healthy.

5. Feet Freshener

Looking to freshen up your feet and shoes? Tea tree can help freshen stinky, sweaty feet. Simply apply 1-2 drops to the bottoms of your feet and inside your shoes to freshen them.

Other Considerations

Tea tree oil may cause skin sensitivity. As always, you should consult your physician before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking medications or if you have a medical condition.

Avoid eyes, mucous membranes and sensitive skin. Keep out of reach of children.

Final Thoughts

• Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is a natural extract that’s best known for its purifying, cleansing properties.

• Tea tree oil benefits for face and more are possible because of the oil’s purifying and beneficial compounds.

• Tea tree oil for skin is used for a number of reasons, including cleansing the face and body, using for hair and nails, and even fighting foot odor.

Christine Ruggeri is a writer and nutrition counselor based in New York. She's worked for Ancient Nutrition and the Dr. Axe team for five years. She has a degree in Education with a concentration in English from Iona College, and received her health coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.