I am not normally one to use “natural” or “herbal” skin-care products. I certainly don’t have anything against them, they just usually aren’t my favourites. But in my constant fight against acne and dandruff there’s one earthy ingredient I’ll basically lay down my life for: tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil is an oil harvested from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, which is native to Australia. The oil doesn’t have a ton of conclusively proven benefits for treating any particular skin or hair issue, but research has shown that it has both antibacterial and antifungal properties. And some studies suggest that it may actually be helpful in managing things like acne, dandruff, ringworm, and athletes’ foot. So, it’s definitely not a miracle treatment, but I’ve had some success with it and I may not be totally imagining that.
As someone with skin too sensitive to handle the go-to acne-fighting ingredient benzoyl peroxide, I consider tea tree oil a welcome replacement for managing the bacterial side of my acne. And as someone prone to dandruff and an itchy scalp, I find that it helps soothe that itchiness and reduce the redness and flakiness that comes with it. To be clear, tea tree oil isn’t the only thing I use to help tackle these concerns, but it has become a real staple in my approach to managing them.
One important thing to know is that tea tree oil can be irritating and can cause allergic reactions. So if you, like me, have sensitive skin, it’s important to do a patch test before using it for the first time.
Below, check out the tea tree oil products I swear by for healthy skin and hair.