Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, also widely known as melaleuca oil, is used in many cosmetic and medical products because it has shown to have antiseptic and antifungal benefits on the skin. Tea tree oil was first used hundreds, even thousands of years ago in Australia due to its highly beneficial properties.

Tea tree oil has shown to be effective in cosmetics and for treating the hair condition dandruff. One of the common causes of dandruff is Malassezia, a fungus or yeast found on the scalp. In studies a 5% tea tree oil solution shows to treat existing Malassezia and reduce dandruff on the scalp.

Moderate acne is another common condition that can be treated with topical use of tea tree oil. In fact, a 5% tea tree oil solution has shown to be just as effective in treating acne as a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution with much less irritation and inflammation of the skin.

Lastly, tea tree oil, due to its antiseptic benefits, is also effective in treating insect bites, wounds, sunburn, poison ivy rash, ear infections, bee stings and boils. Although tea tree oil is a safe and natural alternative to many other ingredients, it should be used externally to treat concerns; internal consumption can be harmful to the body.