These three tea tree oil uses can help clear up skin, make hair shinier, and ward off allergies and sinus congestion. With just a drop or two, tea tree oil may help clarify and cleanse.
Note: Before trying any of these tea tree oil uses, do a patch test to ensure you don’t experience any negative reaction to tea tree oil which can be potent. Dilute two drops of tea tree oil in one teaspoon of a carrier oil such as cold pressed olive oil. Then dab the mixture on your arm and leave for at least 24 hours. Avoid exposing the patch of skin to water and preferably cover with a bandage during this time. If any redness or irritation occurs, do not use again without consulting a medical professional.
3 Tea Tree Oil Uses
1. Keeping Skin Clear
Ditch the skin-drying salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide which tend to do more harm than good. Instead, reach for tea tree oil which can cleanse the pores and clear up pimples overnight. To use tea tree oil as a spot treatment, try the following:
After washing face and moisturizing, dampen a cotton round or washcloth with water. Put a drop of tea tree oil on the damp cotton round or washcloth and then press to pimple for a few seconds. Let sit overnight and wash off any oil residue in the morning. If you have sensitive skin, get the cloth very wet and ring out a bit after adding the drop of oil to dilute it further.
2. Removing Product Buildup from Hair
One of the negative side effects I’ve experienced from using natural shampoos and conditioners is product buildup. After a while, I’ll find the shampoo and conditioner leaves a residue behind after each wash. For a while, I would just switch shampoos which would solve the problem until it recurred.
It turns out, tea tree oil works wonderfully to remove product buildup. Get a small travel size shampoo bottle and fill ¾ full with your shampoo. Add two drops tea tree oil and shake well. Once a month, use the tea tree shampoo to remove product buildup. Rinse and condition afterward.
3. Clearing Sinuses
Tea tree oil is one of my favorite essential oils to help keep my sinuses clear and allergies at bay. I love adding it to my diffuser whenever I’m experiencing sinus congestion. If you don’t have a diffuser though, you can still get its amazing benefits. Bring a pot of water to boil. Transfer to a large glass bowl and then add five to six drops tea tree oil. Breathe in the steam, cover your head with a towel to maximize, for a few minutes. Be cautious not to burn yourself with the hot steam.
Related on EcoSalon
4 Totally Doable DIY Aromatherapy Projects Using Essential Oils
Tea Tree Oil: 10 Germ-Killing, Super-Cleansing Uses
Turbulent Times Got You Down? Essential Oils Can Help