The tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia.

This oil is also an ingredient found in a number of commercial products such as gels, lotions, creams, toothpaste, mouthwash, and shampoo.

With respect to its effect on acne, tea tree oil contains a constituent called terpinen-4-ol that is thought to be responsible for the great anti-microbial capabilities that it possesses oil Australian species, resulting in its effectiveness to beat the serious problem of Acne.

Therefore oil can kill bacteria through topical application on acne lesions generated, whose origin is in most cases the “Propionibacterium acnes“, which inhabits the skin, one of bacteria that is dedicated to cause acne.

In a comparative study gel tea tree oil, compared with benzoyl peroxide, oil has fewer side effects than the peroxide, which in turn is associated with itching, burning and dryness.

What is the evidence of Tea Tree Oil and Acne?

We performed a randomized blinded in the Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia, which compared the efficacy and tolerance of 5% gel of tea tree oil with 5% benzoyl peroxide in lotion, about 124 people with mild to moderate acne.

The effectiveness of tea tree oil was based on the fewest side effects, although it took longer to work initially.

Tags: anti-microbial, Benzoyl Peroxide, cause of acne, essential oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, problem of Acne, Propionibacterium acnes, Tea Tree Oil, terpinen-4-ol