^
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Properties of tea tree essential oil for skin

Medical expert of the article

Dermatologist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

Tea tree oil for the skin performs multiple functions, among which it is worth dwelling. These include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antihistamine and antibacterial effects. It also activates regenerative processes in the skin, which makes cells recover faster.

Essential oil helps with skin lesions caused by fungal pathogens, normalizes blood circulation in the area of application, improves lymphatic drainage and successfully fights skin rashes.

In addition, essential oil can be used to prevent and treat bedsores at an early stage. To prepare the remedy, mix 5 ml of essential oil with 25-30 ml of another oil, such as olive oil. This healing remedy should be applied to the reddened areas.

trusted-source[ 1 ]

Tea tree oil for fungus

Tea tree oil for fungus is used when the infection affects the nails or skin, mostly the toes, but other skin manifestations are not excluded.

Essential oil is used to treat fungus in the form of foot baths. To prepare them, add 5 ml of your favorite gel, 10 drops of oil to half a liter of hot water. After that, put your feet in the bath and wait until the water cools down. To make the skin velvety and soft, add 5 g of honey to the water.

Tea tree oil for fungus can be used as a means for rubbing into the affected areas of the nail plate a couple of times a day, after which it should not be washed off for at least 3-4 hours. The therapeutic course can take 3 months, but the effect will be noticeable. The duration of treatment is due to the slow growth of toenails, so it may take several months to restore the nail plate.

In addition, for preventive purposes, it is recommended to use baths from the following components: 10 drops of oil in combination with sea salt, honey (5 g) and baking soda. This procedure should be repeated every week, especially if there is a violation of the integrity of the nail and frequent increased importance in narrow shoes.

Tea tree oil for herpes

Herpetic lesions of the mucous membranes or skin indicate infection of the body with a virus, as well as a decrease in immune protection. Herpes has different localizations, but the clinical manifestations are almost the same. These include itching, redness and swelling of the place where the blisters will be located later. Then, as it progresses, rashes with serous filling appear, and after they open, crusts form.

Tea tree oil for herpes helps in the initial stage, when only redness is observed, and in the presence of blisters. Basically, if a person has repeatedly encountered herpes, he knows the first symptoms. If at this stage the oil is applied to the affected area, herpes may not develop further and blisters will never appear.

Tea tree oil is also no less effective against herpes during the blisters period. After their appearance, it is necessary to apply oil to the rash, which will stop the process of infection spreading. After a few hours, some blisters will either decrease or open, which indicates the onset of the resolution stage.

The oil should be applied several times during the day and at night. If everything is done correctly, then the next day only a small wound will remain from the rash, which will soon heal. If the oil is used for every herpes rash, then in a few years it will completely stop manifesting itself.

Tea tree oil for papillomas

Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that is formed due to various reasons. Among them, the viral factor can be distinguished. Tea tree oil is effective against papillomas precisely because it has antiviral properties.

Papillomas can be located on any part of the skin. They need to be removed if the papilloma changes color, increases in size, has bloody discharge, or is located in areas with the greatest impact of a traumatic factor, such as the wrist, waist, or back. This could be constant friction from clothing. If at least one of the listed signs is present, you should consult a dermatologist or oncologist.

The doctor will use examination, laboratory and instrumental methods to determine the nature of the papilloma and determine the method of its removal. If melanoma is suspected, it must be removed surgically with subsequent histological examination.

If you want to remove the formation at home, then tea tree oil from papillomas is perfect for this purpose. It is enough to buy oil in a pharmacy and apply the product to the papilloma twice a day. You should be careful and avoid getting it on healthy areas of the skin.

Tea tree oil for warts

Warts are a consequence of infection of the body with a virus. They can appear on various parts of the body, in addition, relapses of warts are possible. Tea tree oil for warts is a relatively safe, natural and painless method of removing formations.

Before using the oil, you should pay attention to its composition. To remove warts, you need 100% oil without additives. If the formations are located on the sole, then it is allowed to use the product undiluted, since the skin in this localization is quite thick and rough.

As for other areas of the body, before using the oil, it is recommended to dilute it with water or aloe vera. The saturated concentrate of oil when it comes into contact with healthy areas of the skin causes redness, itching and burning. Three times a day, lubricating the warts, you will soon be able to forget about them altogether.

Tea tree oil for warts can be mixed with olive oil in equal volumes. This mixture should be soaked in gauze and applied to the wart overnight. For better fixation, it should be secured with a bandage on top.

Tea tree oil for dermatitis

In most cases, dermatitis is of an inflammatory nature, the occurrence of which can be caused by viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. However, there are dermatitis that develop as a result of taking certain medications in inappropriate dosages and over a long period of time.

Regardless of the cause of the appearance, tea tree oil for dermatitis can soothe the skin, reduce skin manifestations and eliminate the causative agent of the disease.

For medicinal purposes, baths and rubbing with oil are used. Tea tree oil for dermatitis is allowed to be combined with other natural oils for a more effective effect. For example, a complex of tea tree with olive oil in a ratio of 1:10 is perfect for daily rubbing into the affected area of the skin.

Strict adherence to dosage is necessary to prevent the development of adverse reactions from concentrated tea tree solution, especially if it comes into contact with unaffected skin that does not require treatment.

Tea tree oil for psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic pathology that mainly affects the skin. Psoriasis manifests itself as dry patches of skin that form spots that merge to form a plaque.

The disease begins with damage to the areas of the skin that are most exposed to friction - elbows, knees, buttocks, then gradually involving the palms, feet, hair area on the head and external genitalia.

Tea tree oil for psoriasis is preferably used undiluted. To do this, apply a few drops of this product to dry areas of skin affected by psoriasis twice a day. Creams and lotions with tea tree are also effective, which will provide skin hydration in parallel with the therapeutic effect.

Tea tree oil for psoriasis in combination with other components simultaneously affects many mechanisms of psoriasis occurrence. Thus, to prepare the medicine you will need 10 drops of rosemary, tea tree and bergamot, 15 drops of lavender, 15 ml of almond oil and 30 drops of borage and evening primrose oils. After mixing these components, you should leave the product to infuse for 4 days, and then use it 2-3 times a day, lubricating the affected areas.

Tea tree oil for itching

Itching of the skin, combined with redness and swelling, can be reduced by using tea tree oil for itching. To achieve the effect, add a couple of drops of oil to a cream or body lotion. This will reduce the concentration of the oil and will not cause any unpleasant consequences. At the same time, the antibacterial and antifungal effects will be preserved.

Apply to the affected area several times a day until clinical manifestations are reduced. If itching bothers the scalp, then there are several options to reduce the intensity of such sensations.

Tea tree oil for itching in the amount of 2 drops can be added to shampoo intended for one hair wash. After applying and foaming the shampoo, you should wait a couple of minutes and rinse.

You can also make a hair rinse from a glass of water, 5 ml of milk and a couple of drops of oil. As a result, the hair becomes soft, retains its freshness for a long period of time, and the skin gets rid of itching.

Tea tree oil for lichen

Shingles is caused by a virus that is related to the pathogens of herpes and chickenpox. Typical clinical manifestations of shingles are considered to be symptoms of intoxication with cephalgia, body aches, weakness and fever.

In addition, the affected area is located in the place where nerves pass. At first it turns red, and then gradually bubbles with transparent contents begin to appear, and the pain syndrome increases. After a couple of days, they burst and heal, forming crusts.

Tea tree oil is effective against lichen due to its antiviral property, which in this situation is a pathogenetic factor in the development of the disease. To prepare a medicine, it is enough to mix a drop of tea tree with 10 drops of another essential oil. This is necessary to reduce the concentration of oil to prevent additional damage to the skin.

Before taking a bath, it is advisable to drop 10 drops into the water, as a result of which the pain syndrome will gradually decrease.

Tea tree oil for cellulite

The war against cellulite is a top priority for most women, but not everyone is aware that oils can help ease the process of getting rid of the "orange peel". Tea tree oil for cellulite stabilizes cell membranes, making them less permeable, activates metabolic processes, and rids the body of toxic products and excess fluid.

Cellulite can be defeated with the help of aroma baths, rubbing and massage using essential oil. To prepare an effective remedy, brew black coffee, then separate the grounds from it. Then add up to ten drops of tea tree to it. This homogeneous mass is a remedy that will reduce fat deposits.

Tea tree oil for cellulite in the form of a prepared gruel should be applied to problem areas of the body while taking a shower. After the product is applied, it should be rubbed in a little, thereby making a small massage, and then washed off with cool water. The procedure ensures the activation of metabolism and elasticity of the skin.

Tea tree oil for stretch marks

Stretch marks appear as a result of the impact of an unfavorable factor on the skin. This may be poor nutrition, as a result of which the skin becomes thin and more susceptible to stretching.

Stretch marks can appear as a result of rapid weight gain or loss. In general, there are quite a few factors, but with timely use of essential oils, you can prevent their appearance or reduce them. In addition, do not forget about the period of pregnancy, when the skin is constantly stretched as a result of the gradual increase in the uterus.

Tea tree oil for stretch marks can be used starting from the 4th month of pregnancy, as the belly begins to grow and the skin gradually stretches and becomes thinner.

The maximum effect will be observed when applying the oil to a damp body, especially after a shower. The oil should be applied carefully, gently massaged and even pinched. This will ensure deeper penetration of the product into the skin.

Tea tree oil for stretch marks should be diluted with any other cream or lotion before use. The concentration should not exceed 1 drop of tea tree, olive or neroli oil per 30 g of cream.

Tea tree oil for sweat

The smell of sweat is a consequence of the activity of pathogenic microorganisms in places where the sweat glands work in an enhanced mode. These areas include the armpits and toes.

Tea tree oil for sweat perfectly copes with unpleasant odor and eliminates tired feet with the help of foot baths. So, in order to prepare it, you need to drop a few drops of oil into a foot bath. The duration of the procedure is about 15 minutes.

During this time, the antiseptic effect of the oil will ensure the death of bacteria and give the skin a fresh aroma. In addition, the skin will become elastic and supple. The oil helps reduce swelling due to the removal of excess fluid. You can also use a foot massage with a couple of drops of tea tree added to the base oil.

Tea tree oil for sweat can also be used to wipe sweaty areas with a special solution. To prepare it, just one drop of oil per glass of water is enough.

Tea tree oil for scars

The oil has been used in cosmetology for quite some time to remove stretch marks after rapid weight loss, pregnancy, scars from acne or other injuries, as well as to maintain a healthy appearance of the face in the form of masks.

Tea tree oil for scars is not allowed to be taken internally or used in a concentrated solution. This can lead to damage to the skin or mucous membranes. The easiest way is to use oil, which is part of antibacterial soap. Thus, daily care will help smooth out skin irregularities. It is necessary not only to wash, but also to thoroughly rub the soap into the skin, and then rinse with cool water.

As you use the oil, the scars and stretch marks will become pale and gradually disappear. Tea tree oil for scars is also used in a diluted form of a concentrated oil solution. You need to combine the product with water as 1:4. After applying it to the skin, you need to observe your feelings. If there is an unpleasant sensation in the form of burning, heat or itching, then you should wash off the solution and try to dilute it with a large volume of water. If the reaction is repeated, then you will have to stop using the oil, since an allergic reaction of the body to the main component is possible.

However, if only a feeling of tightness appears, this means that the healing process has begun, so the product should be kept on the skin for up to half an hour and then washed off.

Tea tree oil for eczema

Eczema is characterized by a wave-like course with increasing and decreasing intensity of clinical manifestations. In essence, this is a lesion of the layers of the skin of an inflammatory nature of origin. The causes of development can be various factors, therefore it will not be possible to act purposefully on the mechanism of action of the provoking cause.

Despite this, tea tree oil for eczema can help cope with the symptoms of the disease. To combat eczema, it is recommended to lubricate the affected areas of the skin with a solution of 1 drop of tea tree and several drops of any other essential oil. As a result, the skin will gradually restore its healthy structure.

In addition to the therapeutic direction, it is recommended to use tea tree oil for eczema for preventive purposes. People suffering from this pathology, in most cases, can prevent the development of a repeated exacerbation. In order to prevent a relapse, you should lubricate a couple of times a day with a cream in which you need to drop a drop of oil.

Tea tree oil for skin is used as a component of baths. To prepare it, you need to add up to 10 drops of oil to warm water. The duration of the procedure varies within 20 minutes. After taking a bath, the skin will become soft, elastic and pleasant to the touch.


The iLive portal does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The information published on the portal is for reference only and should not be used without consulting a specialist.
Carefully read the rules and policies of the site. You can also contact us!

Copyright © 2011 - 2025 iLive. All rights reserved.