Tea tree oil is an effective skincare treatment for dryness, acne, and more. But is there a certain way to use this oil? Or can you just wear it all day, underneath or on top of your makeup?
The answer is no – you shouldn’t wear tea tree oil under or over your makeup. Tea tree oil is designed to be a treatment used on its own, and ideally shouldn’t be left on your face beneath or on top of your makeup.
If you’re dealing with a skin problem that you want to treat with tea tree oil, you could mix a drop into your foundation to use on a one-off occasion. But applying it directly to your skin underneath your makeup may aggravate your skin, as tea tree is very potent.
Applying tea tree oil under your foundation will also cause it to move around on your face, giving a smearing effect that probably isn’t the look you’re going for.
When should I apply tea tree oil to skin care routine?
The best time to use tea tree oil in your skincare routine is just before bed, after you’ve removed your makeup. If you have time, you could also apply tea tree oil in the mornings.
It doesn’t really matter when you use it, but it’s better to apply tea tree oil in the evening and leave it on overnight, rather than applying it in the morning and washing it off before your makeup. This will give it longer to absorb into your skin, allowing for the most noticeable effects.
How do you use tea tree oil for daily skin care routine?
- First, complete your usual skincare regimen, including cleansing, toning, and applying serum or moisturizer to your face.
- Take a bottle of tea tree oil and dilute it with coconut oil, argan oil, or a similar carrier oil. This will prevent the oil from being too harsh on your skin.
- Dip a finger into the oil and spread a small amount across the affected areas of skin. You don’t need to rub it in or be vigorous here.
- Allow the oil to absorb into your skin. In this time, be careful not to touch your face or apply more layers. A single thin layer is plenty, and will reduce the risk of skin damage.
- Don’t add more layers on top of the oil. It’s best for the tea tree oil to be the last thing you apply to your face.
- The next day, wash the oil off your face. You can use tea tree oil every other night to start with, slowly increasing until you use it every night.
Can I apply tea tree oil directly to skin?
Yes, tea tree oil can be applied directly to your skin. But it’s important to mix the oil with a carrier oil, or another skincare product like a serum, before using it. Because of how potent it is, tea tree oil can burn the skin when applied on its own.
Coconut oil is considered the best carrier oil, boasting its own skincare benefits. As a very last resort, you could dilute your tea tree oil in water, but it’s highly unlikely that the oil will mix properly with the water. Another oil or skincare product is best.
No matter how you dilute your tea tree oil, make sure you don’t scrub it into your skin. It’s safe and effective to apply it lightly to your face, and scrubbing could cause damage.
Is Tea Tree Skin Care Good?
Tea tree oil has numerous skincare benefits, and is used in a whole host of commercial skincare products. So yes, tea tree skin care is definitely good.
There’s plenty of scientific evidence to prove that tea tree oil is good for the skin. The oil is an anti-inflammatory, which means it works well as a treatment for irritated and painful skin. It also has antibacterial properties, and can be used to treat cuts and infections and speed up the process of wound healing.
Keep in mind that these skincare benefits are only applicable to tea tree oil applied in the right quantities. It certainly isn’t a case of “the more, the better” here. In fact, too much tea tree oil can have a detrimental effect on your overall skin health. Be sure to stick to the recipe if you’re making your own DIY tea tree oil skincare treatment.
In short, tea tree oil is good for skincare, but only when used correctly. The quality of the oil will also affect its overall performance on your skin. Look for pure, organic oils for the best skincare results.
