Tea tree oil is one of the most available and affordable natural products that can be used for a whole host of skincare purposes, including fighting acne.
You might be wondering whether tea tree oil can be combined with niacinamide, a form of vitamin b-3 and another beneficial skincare ingredient. The answer is yes - tea tree oil and niacinamide can be combined for an all-rounded action on the skin. Used together, these ingredients can purge and tighten pores, and soothe skin.
What Can You Not Mix With Tea Tree Oil?
While there are several ingredients that are safe to combine with tea tree oil, including niacinamide, some ingredients should be avoided.
There are certain active ingredients that may be too irritating if used in combination with tea tree oil, including retinol, retin-a, retinoids, salicylic acid, tretinoin, glycolic acid, vitamin c, and lactic acid.
If you're unsure whether a certain product or ingredient can be mixed with tea tree oil, see if your question is answered by a legitimate source online. If you can't find any evidence either way, consider consulting a skincare expert, who can offer conclusive advice.
What Should You Not Take With Niacinamide?
Just like with tea tree oil, there are certain ingredients that you shouldn't take with niacinamide, either.
Primarily, you shouldn’t mix niacinamide with vitamin C. Although both of these ingredients have antioxidant qualities, they’re not compatible. Using one ingredient after the other actually reduces their potency, unless you wait at least 10 minutes between applications.
In short, using niacinamide and vitamin C at the same time is a little pointless, as both offer virtually the same skincare benefits.
Can You Mix Hyaluronic Acid And Tea Tree Oil?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in our bodies. It helps keep skin plump and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid and tea tree oil make for one of the best skincare pairings – so yes, you can use them together.
When combined with tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid can soothe the potentially irritating effects of tea tree oil. This is what makes them such a great pairing in acne products.
While tea tree oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, hyaluronic acid is a humectant with moisturising properties. When the two are combined, hyaluronic acid hydrates and soothes the skin, while tea tree reduces the skin’s microbial count, preventing breakouts.
Can Tea Tree Oil Make Acne Worse?
Tea tree won’t worsen acne, but it can irritate the skin, especially in pure form. For this reason, it’s recommended that you dilute tea tree oil before applying it to your skin.
It’s worth trying different carrier oils to see which works best for you for diluting tea tree oil. Coconut oil and sweet almond oil are typically recommended, but it’s worth being aware that these oils may clog your pores – and this will make acne worse.
Studies have found that tea tree oil can “significantly improve” mile acne cases, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. But it’s important to note that, as we all have such differing skin types, tea tree oil might work much better for some people than it does for others.
If you’re hesitant to use tea tree oil on your skin, consider speaking to your doctor. They can offer advice on skincare treatments and point you in the direction of a skincare specialist if you’re dealing with persistent acne. It can be difficult to find the right product that doesn’t inflame your skin further, and that’s where a skin expert can help.
In Summary
Tea tree oil is one of the most effective skincare ingredients available today. It’s all-natural, so you can be certain that you won’t aggravate your skin with harsh chemicals. It’s also doubly effective when combined with niacinamide, another popular skincare ingredient. Mixed with hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil is particularly beneficial for people with mild acne.
Of course, even natural skincare ingredients can react differently on different skin types. As recommended earlier in this article, if you have any questions or concerns about using tea tree oil on your skin, or you’re uncertain how to treat a skincare issue, it’s worth asking your doctor to book you an appointment with a skincare specialist.
