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The 11 Best Tea Tree Oil Skin Care Products For Acne
Oh, stubborn acne, you are one willful enemy — you respond to so few skincare ingredients because you consider yourself quite the boss of us. And that's why the best tea tree oil skin care products for acne are our BFF's from now until forever. Because while some other face oils may kneel in your presence and clog pores even more, tea tree oil attacks the problem of problematic pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads and helps prevent new ones from forming.
Yep, it's that powerful.
Australian researchers found that tea tree oil is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, which is kind of known as the gold standard drugstore acne cure — but it's also one that can be extremely drying, especially on sensitive skin. Because it's a natural solution, tea tree oil is gentler than a lot of other ingredients found in acne creams (with that said, don't overuse it because it can cause flaky skin). Mix a few drops with witch hazel, apply the solution a few times a day to pimples, and you'll find it works wonders to heal breakouts fast.
But that's not all. Reaping the benefits of tea tree oil doesn't always require a dropper and carrier oils. These amazing, diverse tea tree oil skincare products come in all forms — and they're perfect for acne-prone skin.
1A Soothing & Hydrating Sheet Mask With Tea Tree Extracts
Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask Tea Tree, $20 (10 Pack), Amazon
All you need is 20 spare minutes in your day and you'll find the benefits of this tea tree sheet mask absolutely dreamy. Thanks to soothing green tea and inflammatory betaine, this mask is ideal for treating breakouts and the associated redness. Aloe and Hyaluronic Acid keep your skin hydrated while acne-fighting tea tree extracts get to work.
2A Portable Tea Tree Blemish & Oil Control Stick
Desert Essence Facial Blemish Stick, $8, Amazon
Toss this blemish stick in your purse or backpack and discreetly (or, hell, right out in the open at your desk) apply to pimples or oily patches of skin whenever you need a quick mid-afternoon pick me up. This formula contains tea tree oil, wintergreen, chamomile, and calendula so expect to feel refreshed and to watch and marvel as skin is instantly transformed to a soft matte canvas.
3A K-Beauty Favorite Tea Tree Mist Toner
LJH Tea Tree70 Toner Facial Mist, $17, Amazon
K-beauty brand LJH formulated this toner in mist form for a hassle-free application that feels refreshing when spritzed on clean skin. The facial mist helps keep pores free of dead skin and oil, while it also works to calm, brighten, and moisturize troubled skin, thanks to a blend of witch hazel, niacinamide, and aloe (in addition to the tea tree, of course). Because of its astringent properties, it also helps keep skin extra clean.
4A Vegan Australian Green Clay & Tea Tree Oil Mask
Australian Green Clay And Tea Tree Oil Face Mask, $15, Amazon
This 100 percent vegan tea tree oil clay mask from Australia has a limited list of amazing ingredients including Australian green clay and macadamia oil and shea butter that keep skin hydrated throughout the treatment. It can be used two or three times a week to reduce excess sebum and help eliminate blackheads and pimples. It goes on like a mud mask, cleanses and purifies oily and combination skin, and is easily removed with lukewarm water to reveal softer, more balanced skin.
5A Refreshing Gel Cleanser That Exfoliates With BHA
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, $11, Amazon
Many cleansers are either too oily and creamy for acne-prone skin or contain harsh ingredients that can make it dry and flaky. This gel cleanser with tea tree oil is formulated with botanical ingredients and natural BHA to gently exfoliate dead skin cells that can clog pores — but it won't rob you of essential hydration in the process. Even reviewers with sensitive skin and rosacea say this cleanser leaves skin soft and clean.
6An Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash With Eucalyptus Oil
Natural Riches Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash, $14, Amazon
A tea tree oil body wash enriched with eucalyptus oil, aloe, peppermint, olive, jojoba, coconut, and even oregano, this highly rated product kills bacteria and fungus and helps with annoying body acne, as well as athlete's foot, nail fungus, and even body odor. It's gentle enough for everyday use and reviewers say it clears up acne on the back and other body parts and is an amazing remedy for rashes and conditions like jock itch.
7A Moisturizer Designed For Acne Prone Skin With Birch Sap & Tea Tree Oil
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion, $23, Amazon
This lightweight moisturizer from COSRX was specifically formulated for acne prone skin, made to work phenomenally with acne treatment products. The oil-free formula contains 70 percent birch sap, along with betaine and tea tree oil to fight redness, inflammation, and breakouts.
8An Organic Toner With Hyaluronic & Salicylic Acids For Clearer, More Hydrated Skin
InstaNatural Age-Defying & Skin Clearing Toner, $15, Amazon
Don't just treat acne with a refreshing tea tree oil toner — hydrate skin and fade hyperpigmentation with the powerful combination of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide. In addition to tea tree oil, this spray formula also contains salicylic acid — which means they've brought out the big guns to help you regulate oil production and deal with stubborn pimples. Reviewers say this toner works immediately and soothes skin, clears up acne, and even adds a radiant glow to your complexion (all this before adding a drop of moisturizer).
9An Old-School Tea Tree Oil Block Soap With Lemongrass
Vi-Tae Organic Tea Tree Oil Soap, $11, Amazon
Prefer old-school block soaps to liquid formulas? No problem: this tea tree oil soap can easily be used on the face or body and is rich in moisturizing ingredients like lemongrass and patchouli oil to hydrate and balance skin while effectively removing dirt and oil from pores, preventing acne, and clearing up the pimples and blackheads you have. It's also heaven on sunburned or inflamed skin, as well as skin that has suffered from cuts or insect bites.
10A Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment Ointment
Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Skin Ointment, $8, Amazon
This tea tree oil skin ointment is more than a spot treatment for pimples — it's a cure-all for everything from damaged cuticles to razor burn and rashes. This face and body product contains essential oils and herbal extracts and reviewers say it works wonders to help clear pores and reduce acne, but it may prove too rich for allover use. Play it safe by using it as a spot treatment when needed.
11Tea Tree Oil In Its Purest Form
Radha Tea Tree Oil, $30, Amazon
If you prefer playing DIY chemist at home, this 100 percent pure tea tree oil, which should always be mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil, is unfiltered, undiluted, and contains zero fillers or additives. Use this as a spot treatment that you apply to pimples with a Q-tip, as it may be too strong to use all over the face. Reviewers rave about its effectiveness on everything from acne to nail fungus.
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