Tea tree oil may be used for the treatment of different forms of acne. The most common form of acne is acne vulgaris, also known as cystic acne. Hard and painful nodules form deep in the skin's tissues with this type of acne. The effectiveness of tea tree oil for treating cystic acne was demonstrated in a study that appeared in the 2007 January/February issue of "Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology." The study found that the application of a gel that consisting of 5 percent tea tree oil significantly reduced the number of acne lesions and the severity of the acne over a 45 day period.
Benzoyl peroxide is a popular over-the-counter medication used to treat acne. It is a common ingredient in many facial cremes, lotions, and washes produced specifically for the treatment of acne. The effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil in the treatment on acne was the focus of a study published in the October 1990 issue of "The Medical Journal of Australia." Although this study found that gels containing 5 percent of either substance effectively reduced the number of lesions in participants with mild to moderate acne, the benzoyl peroxide produced results faster. However, tea tree oil yielded less side effects (skin dryness, redness, itchiness and burning).
Remember, tea tree oil is toxic and should never be ingested. Ingestion of tea tree oil can be fatal. Although there are no known interactions with medications or herbs, according to the MedlinePlus website, it should be used with caution and at the direction of your doctor.
