It won’t hurt to have a bottle of tea tree oil in your beauty cabinet. Found in the forests of Australia, tea tree oil is an essential oil that has been in use for its medicinal, beauty and healing purposes for over 3000 years. This is hardly surprising considering the very many benefits it bears. Here are a few beauty benefits of this wonder oil.
Reduces acne
If acne refuses to leave your side, give tea tree oil a shot. Its antiseptic properties help treat blemishes and its antibacterial properties control the formation of new ones. (Also read: Why do we have acne?)
Steps:
- Mix honey and curd and add 2 drops of tea tree oil in it.
- Mix well to form a paste and then apply it on your face evenly.
- Let it stay for 15 minutes and then wash it off with water.
This paste helps reduce acne and clears the skin.
Heals burns
If minor burns have left your skin irritated, then applying tea tree oil on it will help soothe it. But remember, it is important to get it medically treated before you start applying any home remedies on the burn.
Steps:
- First, wash the area with cold water.
- Next, apply tea tree oil mixed with aloe vera gel in it.
- Keep doing this regularly to heal as well as resist scarring of the skin. (Also read: 8 home remedies to treat burn marks)
Moisturises dry skin
Tea tree oil is effective in moisturising dry skin. Being an essential oil, tea tree oil needs to be massaged into the skin in combination with another oil.
Steps:
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil in your existing oil and then gently massage it in your skin, especially on knees and elbows which tend to be drier than rest. (Also read: Tips to manage dry skin)
- Leave it on overnight and wash it off with water the next morning when you bathe.
Gets rid of dandruff and lice
Dandruff and lice can leave your scalp feeling itchy all the time. In order to treat these hair woes, use tea tree oil. Research shows that it is effective in getting rid of dandruff almost 41% more times than regular shampoo.
Steps:
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo or buy one which has about 5% of it.
- Use it weekly to see results. (Also read: Questions to ask yourself if you have dandruff)
Heals razor cuts
Accidently cut yourself while shaving? Tea tree oil can help. In fact, it is also used on razor blades to make them glide better and avoid much friction.
Steps:
- Dab some tea tree oil on a cotton ball and apply it on the cut.
- Press it down on the cut for a while till the pain subsides.
Treats ingrown hair
Many people suffer from this problem where the hair grows inside the hair follicle and leaves a black, bumpy spot on your skin. Tea tree oil comes in handy to fix this problem. Here are ways to avoid ingrown hair.
Steps:
- Directly apply drops of it on the ingrowth after cleaning the area.
- Now exfoliate the hair.
- The oil’s antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties will reduce ingrowths.
Reduces rashes
Steps:
- A rash on the skin can be treated by combining tea tree oil with coconut oil.
- Apply the mixture on it.
- You can even use aloe vera gel and tea tree oil, both of which have soothing and healing properties.
These are only a few of the many benefits that tea tree oil possesses. Buy a bottle of it and keep it at home to treat everyday problems like cuts and acne. Remember to store it in a dark bottle as light can change its properties and lessen its healing effect. You can even opt to buy lotions and washes which contain tea tree oil as one of the main ingredients. Reap in its benefits and bid adieu to rashes, pimples and other skin ailments. (Also read: Amazing beauty secrets in your kitchen)
Image source: Getty Images
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